The artist, inspired by the figure of teacher Angela Nikoletti (Magrè sulla Strada del Vino, 1905 - 1930), developed her project on the theme of education as a form of resistance against ethnic-cultural oppression. During the Fascist period, Nikoletti organised the Katakombenschulen, clandestine German-language schools, to ensure that children could study their mother tongue, which was forbidden by the regime. Nikoletti’s story is comparable to that of many other women who, over the centuries, fought against colonial cultural hegemonies by teaching and promoting their native language. Adji Dieye tells this story of resistance through five similar narratives. Adopting a pedagogical approach, the project takes the form of a game: five large geometric shapes, installed in the public gardens, present their portraits behind which children can hide and discover more about their lives.ㅤ
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Artwork:
01. Adji Dieye, Can you see me? Mi vedi? Kannst du mich sehen?, 2024. UV printing on copper and brass, wood, variable dimensions.
Parco Angerle, Vicolo Parrocchia (the park is accessed from the car park behind the Town Hall)
Through my art practice I examine how the formation of a national epistemology based on an imaginary of progress informs the perception of ourselves and our collective identities. Over the years, my work has involved observing and intersecting elements such as national archives, urban architecture and advertising.
Adji Dieye, Can you see me? Mi vedi? Kannst du mich sehen?, Magrè sulla Strada del Vino (BZ), Trentino-Alto Adige. Ph Marta Tonelli
Adji Dieye, Can you see me? Mi vedi? Kannst du mich sehen?, Magrè sulla Strada del Vino (BZ), Trentino-Alto Adige. Ph Marta Tonelli
Adji Dieye, Can you see me? Mi vedi? Kannst du mich sehen?, Magrè sulla Strada del Vino (BZ), Trentino-Alto Adige. Ph Marta Tonelli
Adji Dieye, Can you see me? Mi vedi? Kannst du mich sehen?, Magrè sulla Strada del Vino (BZ), Trentino-Alto Adige. Ph Marta Tonelli
Adji Dieye, Can you see me? Mi vedi? Kannst du mich sehen?, Magrè sulla Strada del Vino (BZ), Trentino-Alto Adige. Ph Marta Tonelli
Adji Dieye, Can you see me? Mi vedi? Kannst du mich sehen?, Magrè sulla Strada del Vino (BZ), Trentino-Alto Adige. Ph Marta Tonelli
Adji Dieye, Can you see me? Mi vedi? Kannst du mich sehen?, Magrè sulla Strada del Vino (BZ), Trentino-Alto Adige. Ph Marta Tonelli
Adji Dieye, Can you see me? Mi vedi? Kannst du mich sehen?, Magrè sulla Strada del Vino (BZ), Trentino-Alto Adige. Ph Marta Tonelli
Adji Dieye, Can you see me? Mi vedi? Kannst du mich sehen?, Magrè sulla Strada del Vino (BZ), Trentino-Alto Adige. Ph Marta Tonelli
Adji Dieye, Can you see me? Mi vedi? Kannst du mich sehen?, Magrè sulla Strada del Vino (BZ), Trentino-Alto Adige. Ph Marta Tonelli
Adji Dieye, Can you see me? Mi vedi? Kannst du mich sehen?, Magrè sulla Strada del Vino (BZ), Trentino-Alto Adige. Ph Marta Tonelli
Adji Dieye (Milan, Italy, 1991) is a multidisciplinary artist who lives and works between Milan and Dakar, Senegal. She holds a bachelor's degree in New Technologies of Art from the Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera in Milan and a Master in Visual Arts from the University of the Arts in Zurich, Switzerland. Her practice examines the forms of construction of national epistemologies by observing public and institutional spaces through archival materials, architecture, and advertising. Among her main research themes is a particular interest in the relationship between a national collective imaginary, inscribed with an idea of progress, and its influence on the understanding of self and collective identity. Her work has been displayed in various institutions, including the Museum of Modern Art, Warsaw (PL, 2024); Fotomuseum, Winterthur (CH, 2023); Fondation H, Paris (FR, 2023); C/O Berlin (DE, 2021); Biennale d’Art Contemporain de Lyon (FR, 2022); Dak'Art Biennal, Dakar (SEN, 2022); Rencontres de Bamako (MLI, 2022); Foam Museum, Amsterdam (NL, 2020); and Kunsthalle Wien, Vienna (AT, 2020).
Magrè sulla Strada del Vino (Margreid an der Weinstraße, Magrè on the Wine Road) is one of the most picturesque wine villages in South Tyrol and is located in the Lower Atesina district, part of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano - South Tyrol, which borders on the Trentino region.
Mentioned for the first time only in 1182, Magré saw the presence of an early settlement as demonstrated by numerous archaeological finds dating back to Roman times. The historic centre is perfectly preserved and has countless fine townhouses. The architectural style is distinctive for its Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque features. Stone portals, double-arched windows, exposed staircases, loggias and ornamental grilles give the town a very unusual character.
The municipality covers approximately 14 km², with 166 hectares of vineyards and 188 hectares of apple orchards. The village of Magrè is at 207 metres above sea level, while its only adjoining hamlet, Favogna di Sotto, is at 1,260 metres above sea level, overlooking the Adige Valley.
According to the most recent census, the population of Magrè is 84% German-speaking and 16% Italian-speaking. Approximately 30% of the 1,331 inhabitants are engaged in fruit and wine growing. Magrè has several wine cellars and an important fruit-growers' consortium that markets the farmers' finest fruit.