Ghosts, Ralph Ziman (South Africa)
Ralph Ziman , 'Ghosts,' C.A.V.E Gallery, LA
Best known for his Venice murals and music video work with the likes of Toni Braxton and Michael Jackson, South African-born/Venice-based artist Ralph Ziman spent six months collaborating with Zimbabwean vendors in Johannesburg to create 200+ Shona-beaded replica AK-47s. The result was a series of photos capturing street vendors posing with the stunningly decorated weaponry. Although some have interpreted Ziman's photo series as a critique of "Africa's dominant gun culture," it's important to keep the international nature of the arms trade in mind. In bringing his exhibit to the US, "the world's biggest arms exporter," Ziman went some way to redirecting the one directional flow of the arms trade. The series invited viewers to consider the original source of the guns on display. Ghosts, which featured sculptures, installation and photos of the handmade guns, ran at L.A.'s C.A.V.E. Gallery February 8th through March 2nd.
