“ACCORDION PROJECT”

HERE AND NOW. Anti-colonial Interventions

Museum Ludwig (DE)

2022

“Nine colorful accordion bellows hanging on the wall bear inscriptions of words and expressions that are central to the exhibition’s anti-colonial interventions. The history and popularity of the accordion in Latin America are products of migration and cultural interaction. Developed in Germany and spread throughout Europe in the nineteenth century, the instruments were brought by migrants to Latin American, where they have been involved in the blending and invention of numerous musical rhythms ever since.

In Pavel Aguilar’s video, the instrument is used to playfully highlight the importance of anti-colonial action and to raise the question: how does the meaning of the instrument change when its musical characteristics and history are juxtaposed?

Joanne Rodriguez