Contested Terrains at Tate Modern

The exhibition Contested Terrains features four artists; Kader Attia,Sammy Baloji, Michael MacGarry and Adolphus Opara. Four artists all working in present day Africa.

Their work engages with ideas of history and identity, that in Africa,have long been shaped by the claims and disputes of conflicting ideological and economic interests.

Sammy Baloji uses photography to explore the histories, present day realities and contradictions inherent in the formation of his homeland, the Democratic Republic of Congo.In his photomontages , he superimposes archival images of European officials and Congolese labourers (who built the mine's once imposing industrial sites ) onto contemporary photographs that highlight their current state of decline and ruin The remnants and realities of industrialisation and global trade.

These artists reveal that history is more than a straightforward succession of events and that the present remains contested terrain.

Elise Godsell

Contested Terrains
Tate Modern
London.
Until 16 October 2011

Not to be missed.

Manifesto: a means of expression

La Biennale di Venezia ; Illuminations

Since the establishment of the Biennale in Venice, at the end of theeighteenth century,as far as the 54 nations of Africa are concerned,Egypt is the only country to have maintained a national pavilion.Unfortunately, Africa and African artists have been unrepresented. As a result, it has been easy to dismiss the continent ,which is forever seemingly reaching out to receive food and money . Africa appears unconnected to the tide of the contemporary art world, but this is set to change.

The theme of this years Venice Biennale; Illuminations, sparks debate to sharpen our tools of perception and for all nations to question their geography and space that they occupy now and in the future "Seeing Ourselves" presented at the Zimbabwe Pavilion, presents a window into the life of that nation, through the eyes of four selected artists.

Zimbabwe's image has shifted away from being the beautiful and desirable house of stone - a nationally significant material, on which its reputation and very soul had been proudly built. Instead it's perception has undergone a radical shift and the country is seen as not so desirable and not so beautiful.

Misheck Masamvu an emerging young painter, is willing to move beyond the immediately commercial ,as seen in his Gentleman's Hustle.2011. He remarked 'I wish to produce a body of work pregnant of optimism and hope. I wish to stimulate positive energy and bring to attention the need to create new emblems and motifs that encourages dialogue. I desire to find alternative solutions to the sometimes dire circumstances we come across '.

Visit Venice and see for yourself !

Elise Godsell

Illuminazioni
La Biennale di Venezia
Until 27 November 2011

Manifesto:a means of expression

Manifesto presents Simo Lagnawi

We are pleased to announce that our first night after 1 year was one of the best nights to date. There was an amazing vibe within the authentic African setting.

We are pleased to announce we are starting a new journey in a new place in Soho. Gerrard House will be the new ‘home’ of Manifesto, in a more warm, relaxed and familiar environment.

The band invited to perform and which is now part of Manifesto’s portfolio, is Simo Lagnawi. Simo is a charismatic dancer and player of the Guembri - a lute-like stringed instrument made from camel skin - while his mesmeric voice harks back to the original use of Gnawa in rousing people into a 'cleansing' trance. In the short three years the boundary-pushing Gnawa master Simo has been in the U.K he has already played in different venues including Leighton House and most recently Glastonbury Festival keeping an exceptional African tradition alive.

This will be a culturally rich night out that should appeal to anyone looking to experience one of the most intimist forms of music in the world. Joining them will be resident DJ’s spinning music from a variety of African genres. Alberto Tavares opens the evening with his mellow eclectic mix on the decks. Later in the evening Manifesto has invited the renowned producer and DJ Simbad. Constantly travelling between London, Tokyo or New York via Puerto Rico & other places , he has worked with some great artists including Tony Allen & Bugz In The Attic or Talvin Singh to name a few…Dj Simbad will hit the turntables with his inimitable, sassy, and sexy spin on dance African style.

Moreover, there will be a specially designed African inspired menu created exclusively for the Manifesto Acoustic evening. The menu consists of traditional Chicken stew from Angola (Xinxin) and Masamba from Mozambique.

Manifesto Acoustic is a concept whereby live music, afro-beats, DJ sessions and traditional food intertwine. Manifesto team look forward to seeing you.

30 July 2011

9 – 2am Gerrard House

40 Gerrard Street,

Soho, W1D 5QE

Tube: Leicester Square or Piccadilly

Admission: £5

Manifesto: a means of expression.

Figures and Fictions, South African Photography

Figures & Fictions; Contemporary South African Photography is the first UK exhibition of South African photography undertaken during the last ten years.

Under National Party rule (1948-94) and the implementation of Apartheid, photography was used by the State to manage racial classification. But it also served to document resistance and record the lives of those subjected to racial laws and social segregation.

This vibrant work of 17 South African photographers address that history. Through their images they challenge the country's rethinking of issues of identity across race, gender, class and politics.

All the photographers question what it is to be human at this time in South Africa.

Go see !
Figures & Fictions; Contemporary South African Photography showing at the V & A London until 17 July.

Elise Godsell

Manifesto: a means of expression

Basketry; Making Human Nature

Basketry is something everybody understands; It is a marriage of practicality and beauty.

Basketry; Making Human Nature is a new stunning exhibition showcasing both anthropology and visual art. Its techniques and materials are vividly illustrated by both beautiful world objects and contemporary art.

In Central Africa close communication with the dead and beliefs in the effectiveness of their powers, are mediated by healers, diviners and banganga (ritual specialists ).Banganga use containers, including baskets, filled with spiritually charged materials for divination purposes.

These baskets become so potent that they are themselves often contained in places of secrecy.Basketry costumes appear in masquerades in which a masked figure impersonates a spirit, ancestor or some other ideal entity. Masks have a life of their own, acting as a second skin which subsumes the identity of the performer.

This mask is from Salampasu, Democratic Republic of Congo 1951.

The exhibition is at the Sainsbury Center for Visual Arts, University of East Anglia, Norwich until 22 May 2011.


Elise Godsell.

Not to be missed.

Manifesto: a means of expression

Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Musical

The musical Fela! based on the life of Fela Anikulapo- Kuti, is currently playing at London's National Theatre.

It may be two hours long, but with a mix of tight choreography from Bill T Jones and a 12 piece band belting out Afro Beat; a blend of funk jazz and traditional West African drumming, you are soon transported to 'The Shrine' in Lagos, summer of 1978.

Fela, who called himself Adami Edo (Strange One) was a musician who was both political activist and a gifted composer. A showman to the last, he lived life full to the full.

Hopefully this show will bring Fela's life and music to a wider audience.

Elise Godsell.

Not to be missed,

Manifesto: a means of expression

Theatre, ultimatum:ultimato-te

u:u – King in check !

December 1884, 126 years ago in the heart of Europe, distinguished politicians and diplomats of the most civilized countries (sic) met to perform one of the greatest acts of Cartesian Geometry applied to Geography that the world has ever seen.

Equipped with a ruler and set-square, these "experts" in African matters drew up imaginary lines of non-existent countries, in the disputed share of a ‘black-delicacy’ with which they would satiate industry’s greedy hunger for resources, and rescue an economy in steep decline.

Justified by the need of progress, and by the philanthropic deed of taking civilisation to the fragile tribal communities of Africa, this action undertaken with the involvement of several African kings (still a controversial fact nowadays, with mixed scholar views), proved to be too sugary for the teeth of all these gentlemen.

What goes around comes around, and this bittersweet gathering which became known as the Scramble for Africa, was one of the reasons that triggered World War I and gave rise to an indigestible rose candy between Portugal and England, in 1890.

This play puts in context a part of history that is unknown to many people. Being part of a western Capitalistic, "well designed society" where the flow of information is constructed and the education poor, people forget to ask pertinent question such as why Africa is divided by straight lines.

Hence this play is an opportunity to introduce a part of history that is supposed to be given more attention since it would provide a useful source of information and it would explain many political decisions taken upon Africa.

Ultimatum:Ultimato-te was presented in Cape Verde and in England, and it will sail further in 2011.

www.10pt.org/ultimatum

Links. www.10pt.org www.facebook.com/pages/10pt-Associacao-Artistica-Cultural-Lusofona/127564653954040 www.facebook.com/pages/UU/171646969524574

Manifesto: a means of expression