Stan Douglas has long explored critical sociocultural and political change. His exhibition for the 59th Biennale di Venezia, 2011 ¿ 1848, reflects upon the language of protest, revolution and the uprisings witnessed across the globe in 2011. Douglas' four large-scale hybrid documentary photographs re-stage protests in Tunis, London, New York and Vancouver, and his two-channel HD video, ISDN, presents Grime and Mahraganat rappers exchanging subversive lyrics between studios in London and Cairo. The illustrated catalogue features some 100 full-colour detailed images that capture behind-the-scenes views of Douglas' elaborate productions. Essays by international cultural thinkers examine the artist's work in relation to music, political economy, contemporary media theory and the rise of Grime and Mahraganat.
