Mohamed Namou – Santiago Taccetti / حركة – Movimiento
April 29 – 2 June, 2018
Galerie Rolando Anselmi
Winsstrasse 72
10405, Berlin
Photo credit: Riccardo Malberti
Images courtesy of the artists and Galerie Rolando Anselmi
Galerie Rolando Anselmi is pleased to present حركة – Movimiento the second instalment in the
collaborative project by Algerian artist Mohamed Namou and Argentinian artist Santiago Taccetti.
For this chapter, the concept of movement brings together personal understandings of search,
journey and engagement. The two artists that come from very different cultural backgrounds and
since a very early age have lived what would be considered a contemporary nomadic life, find
themselves momentarily in this common ground, and melting pot that is Europe. In a moment
in time where the great divide seems to prevail in the mainstream and disrupt any chance of
harmony, movement works as the dynamic influence that bridges gaps and brings these diverse
individuals together. Mohamed Namou works with the contrasts of materials, textures, shapes
and light reflection giving birth to an intricate inner dialogue on his surfaces. Shiny aluminum
elements spring up from pockets opened on the velvet surfaces: alike stains, organic-like shapes
burst into the opaque velvet, maximizing the illusion of a depth that does not exist. The presence
of closed pockets – that seem to be prearranged for a forthcoming appearance or as residue of
a disappearance – display to the viewer a snapshot of a dismissed time on a shelved movement.
Santiago Taccetti’s series of “Untiled (140 boulogne)” refers on the way in Latin America the roofs
of houses, bus stops, train stations, “parrillas” (bbq joints), even trucks and buses are patched-up
by the owners themselves. Following a similar process, insulate aluminum slices are patched with
bitumen, giving birth to a series of pictorial works which dignify the chaotic stratification of those
repairing attempts. In the gallery basement the video “Movimiento” is comprised of footages taken
during Taccetti’s travels in contemporary life’s demand. Everything is in permanent movement;
almost denying a possible still moment, the artist’s gaze sways from the pseudo passiveness of
contemplating the passing landscapes to slithering through crowded urban spaces.
collaborative project by Algerian artist Mohamed Namou and Argentinian artist Santiago Taccetti.
For this chapter, the concept of movement brings together personal understandings of search,
journey and engagement. The two artists that come from very different cultural backgrounds and
since a very early age have lived what would be considered a contemporary nomadic life, find
themselves momentarily in this common ground, and melting pot that is Europe. In a moment
in time where the great divide seems to prevail in the mainstream and disrupt any chance of
harmony, movement works as the dynamic influence that bridges gaps and brings these diverse
individuals together. Mohamed Namou works with the contrasts of materials, textures, shapes
and light reflection giving birth to an intricate inner dialogue on his surfaces. Shiny aluminum
elements spring up from pockets opened on the velvet surfaces: alike stains, organic-like shapes
burst into the opaque velvet, maximizing the illusion of a depth that does not exist. The presence
of closed pockets – that seem to be prearranged for a forthcoming appearance or as residue of
a disappearance – display to the viewer a snapshot of a dismissed time on a shelved movement.
Santiago Taccetti’s series of “Untiled (140 boulogne)” refers on the way in Latin America the roofs
of houses, bus stops, train stations, “parrillas” (bbq joints), even trucks and buses are patched-up
by the owners themselves. Following a similar process, insulate aluminum slices are patched with
bitumen, giving birth to a series of pictorial works which dignify the chaotic stratification of those
repairing attempts. In the gallery basement the video “Movimiento” is comprised of footages taken
during Taccetti’s travels in contemporary life’s demand. Everything is in permanent movement;
almost denying a possible still moment, the artist’s gaze sways from the pseudo passiveness of
contemplating the passing landscapes to slithering through crowded urban spaces.
Mohamed Namou (1987, Oran, Algeria) lives and works between Paris and Bruxelles. Recento solo shows inclde: Levy.Delval
(Bruxelles, 2018; 2015), La Vulcanizadora (Bogota, 2017), Villa Medici (Rome, 2017), Berthold Pott (Köln, 2016), Proyectos Monclova
(Mexico City, 2016), Mor Charpentier (2015; 2014). Recent group shows include: Mor Charpentier (Paris, 2016), Neuer Kunstverein
Wien (Wien, 2016), Lewben Art Foundation (2016, Kaunas), 9800 S. Sepulveda (LOS Angeles, 2015), Hono-lulu (Zurich, 2015), Gran
Palazzo (Rome, 2015), Monitor studio (New York, 2015), Jeanine Hoffland (Amsterdam, 2015), SpazioA (Pistoia, 2014), ALC partners
(Paris, 2014), Galleria Continua (Boissy-le-Châtel, 2015; 2013).
(Bruxelles, 2018; 2015), La Vulcanizadora (Bogota, 2017), Villa Medici (Rome, 2017), Berthold Pott (Köln, 2016), Proyectos Monclova
(Mexico City, 2016), Mor Charpentier (2015; 2014). Recent group shows include: Mor Charpentier (Paris, 2016), Neuer Kunstverein
Wien (Wien, 2016), Lewben Art Foundation (2016, Kaunas), 9800 S. Sepulveda (LOS Angeles, 2015), Hono-lulu (Zurich, 2015), Gran
Palazzo (Rome, 2015), Monitor studio (New York, 2015), Jeanine Hoffland (Amsterdam, 2015), SpazioA (Pistoia, 2014), ALC partners
(Paris, 2014), Galleria Continua (Boissy-le-Châtel, 2015; 2013).
Santiago Taccetti (1974, Buenos Aires, Argentina) lives and works in Berlin. He has exhibited works in venues such as Cabaret
Voltaire at Manifesta 11 in Zürich (2016), 1857 in Oslo (2014), Retrospective Gallery and the Baryshnicov Art Center in New York
(2014), Centre d’Art Santa Monica and CCCB (Barcelona, 2010), CC San Martin and CC Recoleta in Buenos Aires (2009), Istituto
Italo Latinoamericano in Rome (2008), La Panaderia in Mexico City (2001). Recent solo shows include: Levy.Delval (Bruxelles, 2018),
L’ascensore (Palermo, 2016), Rolando Anselmi (Berlin, 2015), Hus Gallery (London, 2015), SAS (Berlin, 2013), Club Midnight Gallery
(Berlin, 2013). Recent group shows include: Rolando Anselmi (Berlin, 2017; 2014; Atina, 2016), Museo Archeologico e d’Arte della
Maremma (Grosseto, 2017), Body Holes at Berlin Biennial (Berlin, 2016), Comedy Club (Berlin, 2016), Volkspark Pankow (Berlin, 2016).
Voltaire at Manifesta 11 in Zürich (2016), 1857 in Oslo (2014), Retrospective Gallery and the Baryshnicov Art Center in New York
(2014), Centre d’Art Santa Monica and CCCB (Barcelona, 2010), CC San Martin and CC Recoleta in Buenos Aires (2009), Istituto
Italo Latinoamericano in Rome (2008), La Panaderia in Mexico City (2001). Recent solo shows include: Levy.Delval (Bruxelles, 2018),
L’ascensore (Palermo, 2016), Rolando Anselmi (Berlin, 2015), Hus Gallery (London, 2015), SAS (Berlin, 2013), Club Midnight Gallery
(Berlin, 2013). Recent group shows include: Rolando Anselmi (Berlin, 2017; 2014; Atina, 2016), Museo Archeologico e d’Arte della
Maremma (Grosseto, 2017), Body Holes at Berlin Biennial (Berlin, 2016), Comedy Club (Berlin, 2016), Volkspark Pankow (Berlin, 2016).