Urban Africa; David Adjaye

The London based architect David Adjaye ( born in Tanzania) has amassed over 3,000 picture postcard size 'snaps' of his foray into Africa.
Most document various styles of urban buildings ( well he is an architect, after all), but I am not too sure what he is trying to achive in this exhibition.

It is well neigh impossible to document a vast continent such as Africa, through the windows of a taxi !. Where are the limits and how come he has missed Lagos, home to 18 million people?

They say a picture speaks a thousand words, but maybe quality would be preferable to quantity.

You decide !

Design Museum, London until 5 of September.

Elise Godsell

Manifesto: a means of expression

Kingdom of Ife; Sculptures from West Africa.

Kingdom of Ife; Sculptures from West Africa. Currently on show at the British Museum, London.

Ife (pronounced Ee-fah) is located in Southwest Nigeria and is regarded as the spiritual heartland of the local Yoruba speaking people. Yoruba are Nigeria's largest ethnic group and their myths celebrate Ife as the center of the creation of the world and all mankind.

These refined brass and copper sculptures, made using the lost wax process, were found adjacent to the Royal Place in 1938. They are now acknowledged, as some of the most refined and beautiful sculptures to be found in Africa.

A hundred or so pieces in this, not to be missed exhibition, shows that Africa civilization, was as sophisticated , as anything in the west during the 13/15th centuries.

This must see exhibition, will surely challenge people's assumption about the nature of Art coming from Africa. Enjoy !

Elise Godsell

Manifesto: a means of expression

AIM (Arts in Marrakesh) Biennale

The AIM (Arts in Marrakesh ) Biennale November 09, kicked off with Isaac Julien's multi screen installation, Western Union; Small Boats. Thousands of Africans hope for a better life, trying to escape bad economic and human rights conditions.

They make the perilous departure from N. Africa across the Med to the coast of Sicily, in small boats, often drifting for days on end. In the film they end up at the seaside village of Agrigento, where local families sunbathe whilst the 'clandenstines' are washed ashore, often dead. Such beautiful surroundings, but bathed in tragedy.

Julien uses no narrative, but on the 3 screens we have just a collage of sound and image. A meditation on migration and hope for a better life?


Elise Godsell

Manifesto: a means of expression

Rail Band, Belle Epoque Vol. 3 - Dioba

Rail Band, Belle Epoque Vol 3 showcases post-colonial West African musicians celebrating their cultural legacies which featured world music stars to be Salif Keita and Mory Kante. It is a buoyant interplay of percussion, bass, horns, brass, voices and multiple electric guitars that will take you on a journey through the roots of Mandigo heritage.

Rail band presents a selection of tracks recorded between 1970 and 1983 documenting a blend of Congolese Rumba, Latin music and folklore tradition.

This double-cd testifies the stylistic openness of Malian music, one not to be missed.


Manifesto: a means of expression

Johnny Mad Dog by Jean Sauvaire

Johnny Mad Dog is a brutal film directed by Jean-Stephane Sauvaire. The film depicts a group of soldiers in their early teens and the lives they lead as a gang of freedom fighters in an unnamed African country, their self-proclaimed mission is to unseat the government.

Their country has been plagued by war for many years to the point there its all the young boys have ever known, Johnny Mad Dog and his small commando robs, pillages, and slays everything in his path. In contrast Laokole, pushing her disabled father around in a rickety wheelbarrow, attempting to invent a glorious future, strives to flee her city occupied by teenage-soldier militias, with her little brother Fofo

The performances are incredible Casting boys who actually been soldiers in their past enhances the loss of innocence amongst the young boys and the dramatic reality of civil war.

Johnny Mad Dog is now showing at Curzon Renoir, Brunswick Square, London wc1.

Not to be missed.

Manifesto: a means of expression.

Lyle Owerko photojournalist

Lyle Owerko is a photojournalist and commercial photographer based in New York City. He travels the world shooting for many NGO's and human rights groups.

His work is an effort to unveil unknown cultures and bridge the gap between human groups. It involves themes related to his profession, such as politics, industrialisation and technology. However, Lyle focuses on the humanistic aspect presentation a different point of view. It could be said his work is a critique to globalisation.
Through a quite critical- evocative- shocking perspective, he stimulates the audience and makes us re-evaluate values and taxonomies.

His work "Africa" is mainly a series of portraits. Lyle was fascinated by the people of East Africa and they were a great source of inspiration for him. His trips in Kenya and the interaction with the inhabitants influenced an unknown aspect of the African culture.
Guided by his passion for photography and his motivation, he tries through his work to contribute for a better living. As he claims, " this is a lifetime commitment for me".

Lyle Owerko has also a blog where he publishes projects, ideas and introduces new artists and their work.

Olia Psarrou

Not to be missed

Manifesto: a means of expression

Manifesto presents Harare, Zimbabwean dance music

We are pleased to say that our first night back after the summer at Momo’s was one of the best nights to date, there was an amazing vibe within the authentic African setting.

Our second evening brings a special performance by Harare, which is one of the few groups to be playing Zimbabwean dance music in Europe . Formed by two musicians from the heart of Zimbabwean urban music.

Harare formed by Kudashe Matimba – marimba, keys, vocals, Kenny Chitsvatsva - Drumkit, Jules Faibe- Bass and Laurance Corns - Guitar combines different styles from Jit Jive to tradional hypnotic rhythms of mbira(lamellaphone) which reflect the different backgrounds of the people who make up the group. Harare music is also heavily influenced by Afro-Mbira, the genre develop by Thomas Mapfumo.

Led by highly energetic Kudashe Matimba, Harare have the style, momentum and experience to show there is a promising future ahead for Zimbabwean based dance music and for their exciting new songs.

This act is fantastic and will be a tremendously enjoyable evening that should appeal to anyone looking to experience the very best of Zimbabwe music.

Joining them will be resident DJ’s spinning music from a variety of African genres. Alberto Tavares open the evening with his mellow eclectic mix on the decks. Later in the evening DJ Todd Hart hits the turntables with his inimitable, sassy, and sexy spin on dance African style. Manifesto has invited the renowned Mozambique DJ Baga who is very well Know for his sets in Lisbon,Portugal.

Manifesto Acoustic is a concept whereby live music, afro-beats and DJ sessions intertwine. Manifesto team, in collaboration with Momo, one of the hippest, vibrant and eclectic clubs in London, look forward to seeing you.

8 October 2009
7.00pm - late
Starting at 7pm
Performance at 9pm
Free Admission


Manifesto: a means of expression