An exhibition of work by 35 contemporary African artists and photographers with unique perspectives on their own continent. The exhibition reveals how artists are using photography to respond artistically to the enormous changes currently taking place in African economic, social and cultural life. The artists also break away from lingering stereotypical images of their cultures, histories and countries. The show includes over 180 works by 35 artists. The majority of the works were produced since 2000, many were commissioned for the exhibition.

The exhibition highlights several themes. Artists like Zarina Bhimji (Uganda) and Zwelethu Mthethwa (South Africa), make the landscape a vehicle for understanding historical trauma or social alienation. Others focus on the rapid changes occurring in African cities, emphasising urban lifestyles and architectural developments. The human body is also a recurrent subject, sometimes addressed provocatively as in the work of Nigerian-born Oladélé Bamgboyé, who explores the shifting boundaries of identity, gender and sexuality. The history of the continent is likewise represented with many of the younger African artists reconstructing it by challenging or reinventing the narrative of the colonial past. 

The exhibition is accompanied by an English-language publication, Snap Judgments: New Positions in Contemporary African Photography, containing an essay by Okwui Enwezor (published by ICP/Steidl Verlag).

Artists featuring in the exhibition Snap Judgments:

Doa Aly (Egypt)

Lara Baladi (Egypt / Lebanon)

Oladélé Bamgboye (Nigeria / UK)

Yto Barrada (Marocco)

Luis Basto (Mozambique)

Zohra Bensemra (Algeria)

Zarina Bhimji (Uganda / UK)

Mohamed Camara (Mali)

Ali Chraibi (Marocco)

Omar D. (Daoud) (Algeria)

Depth of Field (collective) (Nigeria)

Allan deSouza (Kenya / UK / USA)

Andrew Dosunmu (Nigeria / USA)

Hala Elkoussy (Egypt)

Theo Eshetu (Ethiopia / Italy)

Mamadou Gomis (Senegal)

Kay Hassan (South Africa)

Romuald Hazoumé (Benin)

Moshekwa Langa (South Africa / the Netherlands)

Maha Maamoun (Egypt)

Boubacar Touré Mandémory (Senegal)

Hentie van der Merwe (South Africa / Belgium)

Zwelethu Mthethwa (South Africa)

James Muruiki (Kenya)

Lamia Naji (Marocco)

Otobong Nkanga (Nigeria / the Netherlands)

Jo Ractliffe (South Africa)

Tracey Rose (South Africa)

Fatou Kandé Senghor (Senegal)

Randa Shaath (Egypt / Palestine)

Mikhael Subotzky (South Africa)

Sada Tangara (Mali / Senegal)

Guy Tillim (South Africa)

Michael Tsegaye (Ethiopia)

Nontsikelelo “Lolo” Veleko (South Africa

Just Different! is the title of an art exhibition about sexual desire, gender and identity construction in the visual arts at the turn of the 21st century. Disregarding for the moment the heterosexual dominance of much of our daily life, it reveals instead alternative orientations and sexual expression such as homosexuality and transsexuality in over 100 artworks. Among the 47 international artists participating the exhibition includes works by Paul Blanca and Rachid Ben Ali, the controversial Moroccan-Dutch artist (b. 1975 Taza, Morocco) whose works have already triggered anger and threats from Islamic militants in the Netherlands. Also on view are works by Gilbert & George, Nan Goldin, Marlene Dumas, Wolfgang Tillmans, Marlene McCarty and many others. Epitomising the exhibition will be the nine-metre high monumental statue of David, in bright pink and canary yellow, by Hans-Peter Feldmann, which will be installed in the square outside of the Cobra Museum for Modern Art.

The Cobra Museum of Modern Art is located in the suburb of Amstelveen, situated in the southern part of Amsterdam.

Hofesh Shechter, one of London’s hottest choreographers, opens the festival with Uprising / In Your Rooms. Two performances full of physicality and provocation; political and extremely personal.

Brickland is the latest production of the Argentinean choreographer Constanza Macras, inspired by a gated community in Buenos Aires.

For his new production bahok the British choreographer Akram Khan collaborated with the composer Nitin Sawhney and the National Ballet of China.

Nanine Linning’s new production will have its premiere during Julidans. In Dolby she places her dancers in a world full of dangers and unpredictables.

A very special instance of collaboration is that between the South-African company Via Katlehong Dance, Robyn Orlin and Christian Rizzo. The result is Imbizo e Mazweni, two choreographies for nine dancers.

The young Dutch company T.R.A.S.H. makes highly physical, almost violent dance theatre. Their new performance íSA has its Dutch premiere during Julidans.

The Chinese group Zuhe Niao shows The Left Cheek. The title refers to the adoration of everything that was leftish at the time of the Cultural Revolution; it is an indictment of all forms of dictatorship.

A new face in Julidans is Hiroaki Umeda. This Japanese choreographer, dancer, and video, sound and light designer brings two solos: while going to a condition and Accumulated Layout.

In Julidans NEXT the choreographers in the main programme are introducing a promising talent to the audience. Cinedans, the international dance film festival, takes place from 3 to 10 July.