Machete Season
Machete Season draws inspiration from the devastating Rwandan genocide that occurred between April 7th and July 15th, 1994. During this dark period of approximately 100 days, armed Hutu militias targeted and brutally killed members of the Tutsi minority ethnic group, as well as some moderate Hutu and Twa individuals. The estimated number of Tutsi deaths ranges from 500,000 to 662,000, making it one of the most horrific genocides in recent history.
The core theme explored in these works and installations is violence, specifically highlighting its ease and accessibility. Through this series, the artist underscores the unsettling reality that regardless of our perception of civilization, violence and aggression always loom nearby. Boccanegra visualizes this concept through his sculptures, employing two distinct techniques.
Firstly, the artist models the frames of the sculptures similar to toy model airplane kits, where each part can be easily clicked out of the frame. The machetes, symbolic of the weapon of choice used during the genocide, are attached to the steel frames using magnets. This intentional design allows viewers to grasp a machete effortlessly, mirroring the ease with which violence erupted in 1994. It serves as a stark reminder that this artwork, which appears innocuous, could swiftly transform into a lethal weapon.
To create these sculptures, Boccanegra embarked on a poignant journey to Rwanda and Uganda. He personally collected the machetes by exchanging new ones for used ones within the local countryside. By physically engaging with the very tools that were used to perpetrate the violence, Boccanegra weaves a profound narrative, emphasizing the chilling significance of the machete as a popular household tool turned instrument of brutality. During the genocide, the Tutsi people, as well as some Hutu individuals, were labeled as "cockroaches," dehumanizing them and justifying their mass slaughter.
Through Machete Season Boccanegra confronts viewers with the harsh reality of violence and the potential for its swift emergence within society. The series serves as a poignant reminder that we must remain vigilant in combating the underlying forces that can drive such atrocities, fostering a collective responsibility to promote peace, understanding, and empathy.
Valentina’s Nightmare aka Done For The Day is a site specific installation that was created for the group expo: Entre le sommeil et le songe in Black Swan Gallery, Bruges (Belgium). The title refers to the Nyarubuye massacre that took place during the Rwandan genocide of 1994 in which an estimated 2.000 civilians were murdered inside and around the Nyarubuye Roman Catholic church. A place they went to, to seek refuge from the ongoing genocide. One of the survivors was a little girl, Valentina, who had seen her family killed and managed to survive in the church for more than 43 days before she was rescued.
The second title refers to the systematic nature of the killings, from sunrise until sunset. After which the perpetrators would stop for the day and hack their machetes (the weapon of choice) in a block of wood. Like a lumberjack does after a long day’s work.
May 2nd 1994 – May 20th 1994 is an installation that consists of 17 machetes adorned with engraved markings. It serves as a visual representation of a timeline, symbolizing the duration of the Rwandan genocide. Spanning from May 2nd to May 20th, 1994, the installation aims to convey the immense scale of the atrocities committed during this tragic period.
Each machete in the installation is meticulously engraved by Boccanegra with approximately 4,000 stripes. These markings represent the minimum average daily kill count during the genocide. By incorporating this level of detail, the artist provides a tangible and striking visualization of the staggering number of lives lost each day.
Through May 2nd 1994 – May 20th 1994 Boccanegra confronts viewers with the harsh reality and magnitude of the genocide. The machetes, which serve as both symbols and instruments of violence, become a poignant metaphor for the lives that were ruthlessly taken during that time. The installation compels viewers to reflect on the profound impact of such atrocities and the importance of remembrance and understanding in preventing future acts of violence.
By utilizing art as a medium for commemoration and reflection, Boccanegra invites viewers to engage with the painful history of the Rwandan genocide.