Activist Sara Myers really lit a fire under “artist” Brett Bailey, when she led the calls to shut down the South African’s controversial Exhibit B performance in London earlier this year. (Read posts below if you missed this story).
- ‘Exhibit B’ (Human Zoo): Black Performers Slam Protesters Over The Cancellation Of The Controversial Exhibition.
- Activist Sara Myers Releases Statement Addressing The Cancellation Of The Controversial ‘Exhibit B’ (Human Zoo).
- UK News: Controversial Exhibition ‘Exhibit B’ (Human Zoo) SHUT DOWN!
The woman who started the ball rolling, journalist and activist Sara Myers. Photo Credit: Mike Blythe
Now campaigners in Paris have followed her lead and have succeeded in forcing the cancellation of future performances at the Gérard Philippe de Saint-Denis theatre.
Protesters stopped the controversial Exhibit B performance at a Paris theatre on Thursday evening, accusing it of being racist and exploitative. The theatre’s management, backed by several anti-racist groups, has vowed to continue showing the show by South African artist Brett Bailey.
About 100 demonstrators smashed through the doors of the Gérard Philippe de Saint-Denis theatre in Saint Denis, just outside Paris, after two evening performances had already taken place, forcing the cancellation of any further ones.
Exhibit B presents performers in tableaux recalling atrocities and indignities inflicted on Africans under colonialism and apartheid in a form that recalls the human zoos organised in Europe in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
“The only thing they show is people in atrocious situations and atrocities are not enough to tell history,” a protester told France24 TV.
“This show makes money from the memory of our grandparents,” another commented. “The new blacks say no.”
South African artist/director Brett Bailey seen here positioning a performer Photo credit: Sofie Knijff
Another example of people power. Well done to everyone involved.
MAD NEWS UK 