“ Congolese artist Hugo Kanyingu Kabeya presents a new cycle of works as the result of an artistic residency in Idrija. Using art to reinterpret the mining past of the town, in light of current social and cultural developments, the artist has explored the historical legacy and collective memory of the mercury mines in Idrija, Slovenia, meeting the community and former miners and experimenting with local mining materials. The research conducted during the residency has highlighted analogies between two different mining contexts: that of the Congolese region of Katanga, his native land, and of the Slovenian town. The new cycle of works thus becomes a living and tangible testimony of the rich cultural and natural heritage of both contexts, which the artist brings to light by digging into the stratifications of memories and offering an opportunity for intercultural encounter and dialogue thanks to the power of contemporary art. “

Residency project in collaboration with IoDeposito.org and ID20 Institute.

University of Nova Gorica text.