Marie Imbrova, Ph.D. - Official Website - Archive 2010
Projects 2010
Projects Executed in 2010:
December 2010
The 2nd Lecture "ZIMBABWE STONE SCULPTURE AND ART", Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dakar, Senegal, December 15, 2010
Dr. Marie Imbrova gives the 2nd lecture on the topic "ZIMBABWE STONE SCULPTURE AND ART" within the frame of the 3rd World Festival of Black Arts and Cultures in Senegal on December 15, 2010 from 12:30 p.m. till 02:30 p.m. in the ongoing exhibition "ZIMBABWE ART" which is installed directly at the Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe in Dakar.
In addition to the already exposed exhibits she will present here also works by world-famous Zimbabwean artists Lazarus Takawira, Thakor Patel and Lovemore Kambudzi.
The Press Release by Ambassador of the Republic of Zimbabwe to Senegal Trudy Stevenson for Zimbabwean media: "Zimbabwe participating in 3rd World Black Arts Festival in Dakar", dated December 15, 2010, you will find here.
Trudy Stevenson, Ambassador of the Republic of Zimbabwe to Senegal and Dr. Marie Imbrova
in front of the new gallery in Dakar
December 2010
The 1st Lecture "ZIMBABWE STONE SCULPTURE AND ART", Restaurant La Calebasse, Art and Africa Gallery in Mamelles, Dakar, Senegal, December 14, 2010
Dr. Marie Imbrova lectures on the topic "ZIMBABWE STONE SCULPTURE AND ART" at the famous traditional Dakar's restaurant La Calebasse, Art and Africa Gallery in Mamelles, on December 14, 2010 from 06:30 p.m. within the Zimbabwean Gala Night, organized on the occasion of the 3rd World Festival of Black Arts and Cultures in Senegal.
Tengenenge stone statues exhibited at La Calebasse Restaurant in Dakar
All the guests being present will also be able to taste authentic Zimbabwean culinary specialties such as Sadza Nyama, Sadza Muriwo, Muriwo Hediovi a Braai Huku or Braai Boerworst.
December 2010
THE 3rd WORLD FESTIVAL OF BLACK ARTS AND CULTURES, Dakar, Senegal, December 10 - December 31, 2010
In the days from December 10 till December 31, 2010, already the 3rd edition of the World Festival of Black Arts and Cultures in the order will take place in Dakar.
Introduction by the organizers:
"In 2010, the focus of the world will be Africa. At the heart of sporting news with the recent Football World Cup, the continent is also celebrating fifty years of independence of French-speaking Africa. It is in this context that we present the third World Festival of Black Arts and Cultures, an international event which has been entrusted by the African Union to his Excellency Abdoulaye Wade, President of the Republic of Senegal.
Initiated by President Léopold Sédar Senghor, the first edition of the World Festival of Black Arts and Cultures was held in Dakar in 1966. The first Festival brought together people from all generations and disciplines in order to make the rest of the world aware of the struggle and persistence of Black peoples in the face of colonization. In 1977, Nigeria hosted the second edition.
The 2010 Festival conveys a new vision of Africa as free, proud, creative and optimistic. With Brazil as the guest of honour, which is a country rich with artistic cross-pollination and cultural diversity, the Festival will emphasize dialogue between peoples and cultures.
Access to the Festival will be free in order to encourage people from all over to participate, and many of the educational activities will be focused on engaging children.
We all have a duty as sons, daughters and friends of Africa to do everything we can to make this unique event a resounding success, an experience that will ignite the African Renaissance."
Since September 2010, at the request of and in collaboration with the Zimbabwean Ambassador to Senegal Trudy Stewenson, Dr. Marie Imbrova actively engages in the selection of paintings and sculptures, in their sending to Dakar and in the preparation of the exposition of the Republic of Zimbabwe in the 3rd edition of the World Festival of Black Arts and Cultures, whose launch is scheduled for December 10, 2010. Therefore also, she herself is flying to Dakar already at the beginning of December.
Dr. Marie Imbrova, who is officially representing both the Zimbabwean Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, Hon. David Coltart, and the artists whose works are exhibited at the Zimbabwean Embassy Exhibition "ZIMBABWE ART" in Dakar as part of the 3rd World Festival of Black Arts and Cultures, will be in Dakar from December 10 till December 16, 2010.
During her stay in Dakar she will give a total of two lectures on Zimbabwe's stone sculpture and art, namely the first on December 14, 2010 in the restaurant La Calabasse, Art and Africa Gallery in Mamelles which then will follow up with a official Zimbabwean Gala Night. Her second lecture will be held on December 15, 2010 directly at the Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe in Dakar, where it is installed a separate exhibition "ZIMBABWE ART" as part of an ongoing festival.
The Press Release by Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe in Dakar: "Zimbabwe showcases its stone sculptures and paintings in Dakar on the occasion of the 3rd edition of the World Festival of Black Arts and Cultures", dated December 8, 2010, you will find here.
The Invitation Letter by Ambassador of the Republic of Zimbabwe to Senegal Trudy Stevenson, dated December 5, 2010, for the both Dr. Marie Imbrova's lectures "Zimbabwean stone sculpture and art", Zimbabwean Gala Night and Exhibition, you will find here.
Links: www.blackworldfestival.com , www.mondomix.com , www.lesoleilmultimedia.com , www.newsday.co.zw
"I am delighted that Zimbabwe is represented at this important showpiece of African Art. Zimbabwe is renowned the world over for its brilliant artists and this Festival provides us with a vital opportunity to showpiece that art. Zimbabwe has become a negative brand in the last decade and our hope is that Zimbabwean art will play a key role in rebranding Zimbabwe in a positive light as she deserves to be. Indeed Zimbabwean art is a manifestation of the many wonderful facets and vibrancy of Zimbabwe.
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November 2010
The 2nd Public Lecture "ON TENGENENGE DEVELOPMENT IN THE LAST YEAR AND ON THE TENGENENGE FRIENDS CLUB'S ACTIVITIES", Hotel Oldrichuv Dub, U koupaliste 151, Peruc, November 20, 2010
Dr. Marie Imbrova lectures "ON TENGENENGE DEVELOPMENT IN THE LAST YEAR AND ON THE TENGENENGE FRIENDS CLUB´S ACTIVITIES" on November 20, 2010 at 6 p.m. at the Hotel Oldrichuv Dub in Peruc. All those interested ones are cordially welcome.
Links: www.tengenenge.cz , www.oldrichuvdub.cz
Invitation:
Hotel Oldrichuv Dub
in cooperation
with the Tengenenge Friends Club
is inviting you cordially
to Dr. Marie Imbrova's 2nd public lecture
on Tengenenge Development
in the last year
and on Tengenenge Friends Club's Activities
Day: November 20, 2010
Hour: 6 p.m.
Place: Hotel Oldrichuv Dub, U koupaliste 151, Peruc
voluntary entrance fee
November 2010
Exhibition "CHARM OF AFRICAN JEWEL", Gallery of the Louny Municipal Library, November 2 - 29, 2010
In the days of November 2, 2010 - November 29, 2010, the exhibition "CHARM OF AFRICAN JEWEL" from the Dr. Marie Imbrova's African jewellery collection will take place in the Gallery of the Louny Municipal Library. Its festive opening will be realized on November 4, 2010 at 5 p.m. All those interested in African art are warmly invited.
Links: www.mkl.cz , www.svobodnyhlas.cz
August - October 2010
Dr. Marie Imbrova's Visit in Zimbabwe and Kenya, August 29, 2010 - October 10, 2010
Dr. Marie Imbrova visited Zimbabwe and Kenya again from August 29, 2010 till October 10, 2010. The main objective of this year's second African trip was once again to help the children from the Tengenenge Sculpture Community in Zimbabwe (for more details see "September Visits to Tengenenge" on www.tengenenge.cz).
Together with Dr. Marie Imbrova, her two volunteers also visited Zimbabwe, Lucie Kazda, Czech designer living in Germany and a student from London, Richard Gracla, and both agreed to spend part of their stay in Tengenenge and each of them stayed there for nearly a week. Apart from working with the children, both from their perspective also evaluated possibilities of the community to be economically independent and to create stable conditions for the development of all the local children.
Lucie Kazda focused herself mainly on the identification of the children being able to make a drawing, whose pictures she wants to present, together with Dr. Marie Imbrova, in the German Gallery of Children's Naive Painting next year in March, and therefore she spent some time in the nearest school, which a part of the larger children from Tengenenge attends.
Then in the workshop of the sculptor Dominic Benhura in Harare, she worked on his own sculpture, and together with Dr. Marie Imbrova, she visited also the sculptor Lazarus Takawira (for more details see Lucie Kazda's document: Simbabwe 2010 - Ein soziales Kunst Projekt).
Dr. Marie Imbrova and Dominic Benhura, September 2010
Photo: Lucie Kazda
Lucie Kazda and Lazarus Takawira, September 2010
Photo: Lucie Kazda
In addition to her charitable activity, in September 2010, Dr. Marie Imbrova organised in Bulawayo a successful fashion show from the materials of the Czech textile company Veba Broumov and she wants then to attempt the same show in 2011.
At the request of the Zimbabwean Ambassador to Senegal Trudy Stewenson, Dr. Marie Imbrova also personally selected and prepared a collection of paintings and sculptures, which she sent then by plane to Dakar and which will form a Zimbabwe's exposition on the Third Edition of the World Festival of Black Arts and Culture, which is to be held in Dakar in the days from December 10 till December 31, 2010.
July - September 2010
Exhibition "BORN IN ZIMBABWE", Emil Julis Gallery, Cerncice u Loun, July 11 - September 11, 2010
(extended till September 30, 2010)
In the days of July 11, 2010 - September 11, 2010, the exhibition of paintings and sculptures of modern Zimbabwean artists under the name of "BORN IN ZIMBABWE" from the Dr. Marie Imbrova's private collection, held under the auspices of Dr. Hynek Kmonicek, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, is taking place in the Emil Julis Gallery, owned by Pavel R. Vejrazka, Tylova Street 151, 439 01 Cerncice u Loun.
There are being presented pieces of work of the sculptor Dominic Benhura and the painters Lovemore Kambudzi, David Chinyama, Voti Thebe and Batsirai Muskwe.
Lovemore Kambudzi: Election Day, 2008
Voti Thebe: Celebration, 2007
The official opening of this exhibition has been realized on July 11, 2010 at 4 p.m. and the exhibition should end on September 11, 2010. But because of a big interest of the public it was, however, extended till the end of September 2010.
Over and above an "OPEN DOOR DAY" has been realized in the Emil Julis Gallery on August 15, 2010 from 11 a.m. till 3.30 p.m.
All African fine arts lovers are herewith, as always, warmly welcome.
Under this title we are going to open the exhibition of the five famous Zimbabwean artists. In Cerncice, Czech Republic, in the local Gallery of Emil Julis, you can visit a wonderful exhibition of statues and canvases, which are in the private ownership of Dr. Marie Imbrova. It is already for the second time, when Dr. Marie Imbrova and the gallery owner Mr. P. R. Vejrazka decided to install a lovely exhibition of the Zimbabwean art in Cerncice gallery.
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You can take a look at the exhibited artworks at plazik.rajce.idnes.cz and www.jiribouda.eu
Links: www.africkeumeni.cz , www.africancolours.com , www.thestandard.co.zw , www.newzimsituation.com , www.eperuc.cz.web1.web4ce.cz
Links, referring to the just now ongoing exhibitions of the sculptor Dominic Benhura: www.vancouversun.com and the painter Lovemore Kambudzi: www.edcrossfineart.com , www.africancolours.com , www.africanworks.blogspot.com
July 2010
"AFRICAN FRIDAY IN PATEK", Castle Patek nad Ohri, July 02, 2010
In the Patek (Friday) Castle, this year's summer tourist season will be officially opened under the name "THE AFRICAN FRIDAY IN PATEK" on Friday, July 2, 2010.
For six years, devoted Ms. Hubickova voluntarily cares for the exhibits from previous exhibitions and exposition on the history of Patek Castle, into which Dr. Emil Holub is also inherently falling. And right about his importance and accessibility of his writings, once again will talk Dr. Marie Imbrova, which has already realized three exhibitions on Dr. Emil Holub, of which one abroad. For the Patek exposition, she temporarily loaned her own exhibits concerning the explorer Dr. Emil Holub in Zimbabwe and several ethnographic objects.
Another part of the exposition, Dr. Marie Imbrova enriched by photographs of the Tengenenge sculpture community and exposed here also four smaller scale sculptures from her private collection. Otherwise, Ms. Hubickova will welcome visitors of the Patek Castle every summer weekend.
More information, you can found at www.tengenenge.cz
The photos from this entire event, you can look at plazik.rajce.idnes.cz
May - October 2010
Exhibition "AFRICAN SCULPTURES: LAZARUS TAKAWIRA", Resort Spa Tree of Life, Lazne Belohrad, May 29 - October 31, 2010
In the close vicinity of the 130 years' old spa in the town Lazne Belohrad, in the middle of natural scenery, 90 minutes of the capital Prague, in the new, originally designed resort spa Tree of Life (see more closely at www.treeoflife.cz), Dr. Marie Imbrova will expose sculptures of the prominent Zimbabwean sculptor Lazarus Takawira from her private collection. Official opening of the exhibition proceeded on May 29, 2010 at 5 p.m. and the exhibition will last until the end of October 2010.
All African fine arts lovers are herewith warmly welcome.
Invitation:
Inauguration of the exhibition of African sculptures
from Dr. Marie Imbrova's private collection
Author: LAZARUS TAKAWIRA
- one of the most brilliant representatives
of modern Zimbabwean sculpture
On May 29, 2010 at 5 p.m.
Spa resort Tree of Life
Guest: Dr. Marie Imbrova,
former Chargé d'Affaires in Harare, Zimbabwe
May 2010
"AFRICAN AFTERNOON", Platform and Restaurant MANES, Masarykovo nabrezi 250, Prague 1, May 15, 2010
Invitation:
Africa Friends Society, Tengenenge Friends Club
and Academic Centre for Development Cooperation
and Humanitarian Assistance
of the Charles University Hussite Theology Department
are holding on the occasion of the Family Day
AFRICAN AFTERNOON
on Saturday May 15, from 2 p.m. till 5 p.m,
on the platform and in the restaurant MANES,
Masarykovo nabrezi 250, Prague 1
Live show of musicians, photographic exhibition,
presentation of the sculptures from Tengenenge,
African mini-bazaar, children's corner.
VOLUNTARY ENTRANCE FEES WILL BE USED FOR SUPPORTING
CHARITY AND EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS IN ZIMBABWE
"AFRICAN AFTERNOON" in Manes, whose co-organizer was also the Tengenenge Friends Club, was after all a pleasant action, whereat a set of friends visited us.
For the first time on this occasion, a newly adjusted collection of the photographs from Tengenenge, taken by Ing. Ondrej Homolka and Dr. Marie Imbrova, suitably complemented with the photographs from Tonga's journey, taken by Ivana Webereova, was presented.
In the glassed-in show-room above the river Vltava, there were installed the sculptures brought from Tengenenge by Mirka Sodomkova and exhibited in antecedent years in the Prague Botanical Garden. The students of the Charles University Hussite Theology Department took care of the African mini-bazaar and for the smallest visitors, Jitka Ajksnerova prepared a set of African drawings for hands and face.
Extraordinary public acceptance had a group of drummers NDIACHAS that was invited to Manes by Monika Merotska at the last moment. What to add, we all were striving so that our guests felt well with us. As a whole came about 80 visitors and the Club received in voluntary entrance fees the sum of 2 650 Czech Crowns that will be used as ever for the support of our Tengenenge children.
Link: www.afro.cz
May 2010
Official registration of the activity of TENGENENGE FRIENDS CLUB in the Czech Republic, Prague, May 4, 2010
The TENGENENGE FRIENDS CLUB in the Czech Republic was officially founded on January 6, 2010 and than was officially registered with the Ministry of Interior of the Czech Republic on May 4, 2010 as a Civic Association (Identification Number of the Organization 22869999) under the Reg. No. VS/1-1/79847/10-R (see the List of Civic Associations in the Czech Republic at www.mvcr.cz). The founding member and chairwoman of the Club is Dr. Marie Imbrova.
Tengenenge Friends Club
The role of the Tengenenge Friends Club in the Czech Republic is to shed in our cultural world the awareness of this peculiar and unique sculptural community in Zimbabwe and by the help of cultural and social actions to collect financial resources at first for the formal preparation of the children living in this village for the school attendance (i.e. issue of birth certificates and registration for enrollment in the basic school) and after it to take an active share, by co-financing and organizing volunteers' stays helping to establish, to equip technically and to operate current run of a basic school that till now, does not exist nearby Tengenenge. All concrete steps aiming at the possibility of equal access of all local children to the education are taken in harmony with the real possibilities of this community and with its partnership. The official founder of the school will be in the future, according valid regulations, the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Zimbabwe. In the meantime, the Club is closely cooperating with the new owner of the stone mine in Tengenenge, the prominent Zimbabwean sculptor Dominic Benhura.
The Tengenenge Friends Club is functioning in the Czech Republic as an independent and voluntary association of the individuals that identify with the Club's role and are active and imaginative participants in its activity. From the ten founding members of the Tengenenge Friends Club, a half of them visited this community and Dr. Marie Imbrova, specialist in African affairs, is coming regularly since 2005.
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Detailed informations, concerning the activity of the Tengenenge Friends Club in the Czech Republic, it is possible to obtain on www.tengenenge.cz
April 2010
Public Lecture "TENGENENGE IN ZIMBABWE - THE LARGEST ACTIVE SCULPTURE COMMUNITY IN THE WORLD", Hotel Oldrichuv Dub, U koupaliste 151, Peruc, April 24, 2010
Dr. Marie Imbrova lectures on the theme "TENGENENGE IN ZIMBABWE - THE LARGEST ACTIVE SCULPTURE COMMUNITY IN THE WORLD" on April 24, 2010 at 6 p.m. at the Hotel Oldrichuv Dub in Peruc. All those interested in African sculpture are cordially welcome.
Links: www.tengenenge.cz , www.oldrichuvdub.cz
Invitation:
Hotel Oldrichuv Dub
is inviting you cordially
to Dr. Marie Imbrova's public lecture
on TENGENENGE
in Zimbabwe
the largest active
sculpture community
in the world
Come to listen to the gripping storytelling of a woman
that has consecrated her life
to the most precious mission in the world
- to help to the other people
Day: April 24, 2010
Hour: 6 p.m.
Place: Hotel Oldrichuv Dub, U koupaliste 151, Peruc
voluntary entrance fee
April 2010
Exhibition "STEPHEN KAPPATA - LEGEND OF ZAMBIA", REHOR SAMSA BOOKSHOP, Coffee-House & Mini-Gallery, Archway U Novaku, Vodickova 30, Prague 1, April 14 - 30, 2010
Invitation:
REHOR SAMSA BOOKSHOP
Coffee-House & Mini-Gallery
IN COOPERATION WITH DR. MARIE IMBROVA
are inviting cordially to the exhibition
STEPHEN KAPPATA - LEGEND OF ZAMBIA
Opening ceremony on April 13, 2010 at 6 p.m. in the Bookshop
Vodickova 30, Archway U Novaku
Stephen Kappata (1936 - 2007) belonged since the eighties of the last century among the most important Zambian painters of the postcolonial era in this country and at the end of his life, which he spent with his fourth wife near the tourists' attractive city Livingstone, he became a living legend in both, the manner of his paintwork, as well as the life attitude.
The seemingly naive style of his paintings, to which he worked out partly by himself as a self-taught person and which he perfected later in the art courses in Great Britain, is fascinating by capturing the realities of everyday life, by the narrative short cut, by the witty punch line and by the humility to the narrated story. The excellent memory, the feeling for the atmosphere of the era and in particular the top view and the sense of humor enabled him to uncover in numerous variations the episodes and the behavior of colonial officials, to draw in detail the life of the society in the new independent state, and also even including male and female roles, and also to document a substantial part of the social and cultural life in Barotseland, where he has been growing up.
In his work, he did not recognize any taboos and in his paintings, he often confronted the proclaimed pink present with unhappy reality, he adverted to the devaluation of traditional culture, spread of AIDS, promiscuity, abuse of women or corruption, he mocked many human characteristics such as envy, slander, wealth accumulation or disrespect to seniors.
But he loved very much the concrete people, he was putting them in the center of his paintings with all attributes of power or education and was surrounding them with respect. In such way, he also conceived some of his paintings of historical figures from the history of Zambia and with the enthusiasm he created by the year 2005 also several versions of the scene, where the Czech explorer Dr. Emil Holub was received at the court of the then ruler Sipopa.
Dr. Emil Holub and Mr. Blockeley met the King of the Malozi Sipopa in 1875
He was a born storyteller and he loved to tell by the painting a story or a small morality, he luxuriated in the scenes depicting traditional festivities such as kuomboka (move of the Lozi King along the Zambezi River with the whole court to his principal residence) or the decorated procession of dancers dressed up in masks while dancing kishi. All his life he lived in Zambia, he was a living encyclopedia of local traditions, he was able to describe in detail the role of each participant in a traditional ceremony, his clothing, material, color, decoration on the hand.
What causes domestic violence?
In 1986, Stephen Kappata lived to see his first independent exhibition in a private gallery in Lusaka and since the nineties, he began to exhibit successfully not only in the U.S., Great Britain or Italy, he was a targeted search even for the private collections of African contemporary art experts.
The Kappata's work got into the Czech Republic in 2006, so at a time when he was already regarded as the doyen and the art authority among the African authors, and was successfully presented at many exhibitions outside Prague.
My presented collection cannot indeed capture the entire range of Kappata's topics, but it can, however, bring near his style and erudition.
People used to walk...
Link: www.africancolours.com
March 2010
Lecture on "ZIMBABWE AND TENGENENGE SCULPTURE COMMUNITY", combined with exhibition of African jewels, chat and projection, Caffe Moak, Louny, March 16, 2010
Dr. Marie Imbrova's lecture on actual situation in Zimbabwe and Tengenenge Sculpture Community took place at the stylish coffee house Caffe Moak in the historical centre of Louny on March 16, 2010, at 6 p.m.
Her lecture was combined with the exhibition of African jewels from her private collection and complemented with resulting chat and projection.
All collected entrance fees were donated to the activity for the benefit of 50 Tengenenge preschool age children that Dr. Marie Imbrova, on a long-term basis, is looking after.
Link: www.moaklouny.cz , monti.rajce.idnes.cz
February 2010
Charity Exhibition and Auction of "STONE SCULPTURES FROM TENGENENGE", Harare, Zimbabwe, February 19 - 26, 2010
The non-standard country such as Zimbabwe, in my view, requires even the non-standard approach to charity work, especially when such a tough individual like me makes a point to that he does not spend from the money collected at my lectures in favor of the Tengenenge community even the dollar and besides he doubles it during the one month stay. It requires just a skillful idea and a lot of willing local friends and of course a little knowledge about what I can afford in Zimbabwe and what the renowned organization such as the Regional Headquarters of the International Red Cross in Harare. My frequent trips to Tengenenge, targeted support for the children in particular (more at www.tengenenge.cz) and my years built collection of modern sculpture of Zimbabwe are for the management of the International Red Cross a warranty that I will prepare an exhibition of sculptures from Tengenenge in Harare in high quality, and that I am able to agree on a reasonable selling price. It is also completely my risk, the entire exhibition, including the donation of five sculptures to the national Red Cross of Zimbabwe, is fully financed by me. Nevertheless even my partner is generous, he can provide the facilities, which I, as a tourist and volunteer, certainly do not dispose of, the car to transport the statues, including the packaging material and furthermore he will cover all other necessary expenses, such as the printing and distributing 400 pieces of the invitations. In his working expenses, he is also planning a noble-minded grand opening ceremony with the participation of the diplomatic corps and the representatives of international organizations.
These conditions are partially agreed before my arrival and already upon the landing at the Harare Airport on February 1, 2010 many of my friends know that I don't have much time for them. I want and I am moving to Tengenenge for a few days. It's the rainy season, the roads are wretched and so I am one of the first visitors, who have arrived, so far this year, to the biggest sculpture community in the world about 150 km north of Harare. That, I want to pass the night at there, is surprising no one, I have to go round all the families of my children, to find out a way, how to get their birth certificates in order to be able to register them for the school, to check up the construction of the pre-school class, and of course to choose the sculptures for the exhibition. In the grounds of the village, there are stationed at least 20 000 pieces of them, I am reserving the right that I will be walking about alone, and only the following day I will begin to speak with their authors and owners. Gradually, I am succeeding to sort out around fifty sculptures, of which less than forty I can afford to pay in cash the following day. Five of them, from internationally recognized authors, will go to the charitable auction, other 33 in high quality and variety of style will be offered in Harare for direct sale. In addition to the pleasure that I can select the statues, touch them and envision them at the exhibition, furthermore a private interview with each of the authors is waiting for me. Besides that, I need to set reasonable acquisition prices, we are discussing the real price of every piece in Harare and at the same time I am explaining that all gains of sale, regardless of my investment, then purchasing, will return to Tengenenge. On completion of the real nursery for my preschoolers. My idea is supported by those who know me in Tengenenge at longest - Amali Malola and his family, Nimrod Phiri and Josiah Manzi. I am getting their pieces, respectively I am buying them deep below the price, as far as I am a little ashamed for it. On the other hand I know how they appreciate the fact that I can invite them to the table. We have a hot tea and a box of tatranky (Czech cookies). Before leaving, we will agree that all the statues will be re-polished and ready for the transport within a week.
A few next days in Harare I spend by staying in the archive of the National Gallery and by browsing through international catalogues. I try to trace, in which countries my authors have been exposing and in the evenings I bring together a simple exhibition catalogue, if there is any electric current. In the garden of the International Red Cross I try to explain to the gardeners how a straight cut block looks like and I chaffer the import of adobe bricks to build little walls and corridor. It's still raining. We bring the alone statues on a giant truck three days before the exhibition and it's raining more and more. Even the journalists are canceling meetings with me because of the rain, and so I am assuring them only by mobile and by email that we really open according to invitation cards, that is on Friday February 19, 2010.
Artist David Chinyama (R) Marie Imbrova (M) with guests at the auction
This day in the morning, I dry all the sculptures from the rain, I affix the labels to the exhibits sealed in laminate and I rebuild little walls which went down a wee bit after the night downfall.
I know that I am nervous, tired and dirty. But I have spare clothes with me and I guess that 15 minutes on the toilet will be enough for me to disguise. At noon, at the car parking a huge tent for party is already raised, night lighting is installed and volunteers with huge corporate umbrellas are taking up work. Around 3 p.m. there are so many that each my statue could have its bodyguard with a brolly.
At 4 p.m. the sun comes out and my sculptures throw flashing lights on all sides, but I don't enjoy too much of this beauty. The official auctioneer and representatives of national Red Cross of Zimbabwe are coming who want to make sure that at the moment of the handing over of my 5 selected sculptures, they become their property. They have my full assurance, and even on paper.
Mrs. Trudy Stewenson, the Zimbabwean Ambassador to Senegal with Mrs. Marie Imbrova
And we start at 5 p.m., and the sun shines and warms and the first ladies are appearing in long dresses and Harare is experiencing a cultural event of the month. After half an hour I don't remember already to whom I was introduced and to whom I wasn't. In the garden there are 150 people and my sculptures are disappearing among them, however in any case the most of them are reserved after an hour for subsequent sale. I am taking a note of it honestly to my file. At 6 p.m. the auction will break out and is more than successful, the mentioned five statues were auctioned off for 1 389 USD. Only then I have the opportunity to greet some guests and celebrities. I exchange my greetings with Dr. Zahradnicek, Czech Chargé d'Affaires and his wife, there are a few Czech expatriates, including small girl Eli, other diplomats, and also a sculptor Dominic Benhura, singer Oliver Mutukudzi, painters David Chinyama, Lovemore Kambudzi, representatives of ministries, journalists and many other guests from cultural institutions. Around 7 p.m. it's getting dark, two-thirds of the statues are already fully booked and the evening ends with departure of the last group of guests around 10 p.m.
The exhibition runs in the garden area for even a week, I am canceling it only the day before my departure. Two-thirds of the statues were paid for and taken over by the new owners. To Dominic Benhura, the mine owner in Tengenenge, who sponsors the village on a long-term basis, we are passing on with the International Red Cross representative a basket with 2 050 USD for the pre-school. The banknotes are wet, all the day is raining again and I managed that the wind blew them throughout the garden. Dominic promises to dry them before the handover. We are saying goodbye in the rain. I leave in the morning …
Dr. Marie Imbrova
In Harare, February 27, 2010
Note from the Czech Republic: The average salary of a civil servant in Zimbabwe in February 2010 was 100 USD, a high school teacher received 120 USD. Most of the rural population lives with income less than 1 USD per capita per day.
Links: www.africancolours.com , www.allafrica.com , www.herald.co.zw , www.icrc.org
January 2010
Three Kings' Meeting for Tengenenge Children and Action "GIFT ON PALM", Prague, January 6, 2010
Dr. Marie Imbrova is helping to the children from the Tengenenge Sculptural Colony more than four years. She is striving to get for them necessary medical care, teachers, support the foundation of a school in the remote settlement, where the children from their birth are moving between stone mine and their parents´ sculptural work-shop. Without the possibility of the education, they don't have the possibility to get behind the frontiers of this colony and are forced to share the destiny of their parents.
The sale of arts, created by sculptors from Tengenenge, famous art colony, is threatened by the political instability of the country and by the deviation of the European gallery owners´ interests. The children as to which the relation to the sculpture has been given in coronet by the place of the birth, could reach higher and longer, but without helping to access to the education, it is no go.
The first, informal meeting of all, who want, even just symbolically, lend a helping hand, was organized by Dr. Marie Imbrova on the Tree Kings' Day. On January 6, 2010, all have met, who wanted to learn more about the Tengenenge children and possibilities, how to help them. The sense of this evening was not only the meeting of all interested persons in the club activity, but also the gathering of small toys, originating from the Czech Republic, called "GIFT ON PALM". Minimally 50 pieces after that Dr. Marie Imbrova will take directly to Tengenenge during her February trip. During the meeting, informal discussion was realized about intentions and forms of assistance of the Tengenenge Friends Club that has been here officially founded.
More informations on www.tengenenge.cz.
Link: www.cesky-dialog.net
Dr. Marie Imbrova with the children in Tengenenge, 2008, photo: Eric Gauss
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