Conversation Booth at the Musik Installationen Festival, Nurnberg
Emeka Okereke
Photographer, Filmmaker, Scolar, Visual Artist and Cultural Producer
based in Lagos and Berlin
My project consisted of merging materials and methodologies borrowed from two distinct projects of mine, Nkata Podcast Station and Invisible Borders Trans-African Road Trip
On one hand, I projected a video from one of our road trip projects; meant to induce the idea/experience of roads, borders journeys. On the other hand, I set up a “conversation booth” where everyone and anyone was invited to have conversations, either with me or with each other. We also read books.
Digesting such outings full of intricately woven visceral moments is a never-ending process.
It suffices to say that the project created a space for deep reflection. Even more so because we somehow found ourselves in a church which, although burdened with a heavy history of violence, has someone like Thomas Zeitler as its presiding Priest. Without discounting the place of the festival’s organisers and @lesterst.louis, the artist-convener, I might as well say this project would not have been possible without the amiable, humane and richly intelligent disposition of Thomas Zeitler. He was the host and facilitator per excellence. Hospitality in this humongous 900 years old structure simply came down to: “fait comme chez vous” (feel at home).
One of the most indelible utterances from the conversation was someone saying: the hope is that together, “we co-create sacredness.” This line makes apparent the role of the artists of our time as active agents in mediating the golf between morality and humanity. Artists and art is imbued with the power of intuition and nuance to inhabit and meander the in-between spaces left unattended and languishing in centuries of deadening dichotomies.
On one hand, I projected a video from one of our road trip projects; meant to induce the idea/experience of roads, borders journeys. On the other hand, I set up a “conversation booth” where everyone and anyone was invited to have conversations, either with me or with each other. We also read books.
Digesting such outings full of intricately woven visceral moments is a never-ending process.
It suffices to say that the project created a space for deep reflection. Even more so because we somehow found ourselves in a church which, although burdened with a heavy history of violence, has someone like Thomas Zeitler as its presiding Priest. Without discounting the place of the festival’s organisers and @lesterst.louis, the artist-convener, I might as well say this project would not have been possible without the amiable, humane and richly intelligent disposition of Thomas Zeitler. He was the host and facilitator per excellence. Hospitality in this humongous 900 years old structure simply came down to: “fait comme chez vous” (feel at home).
One of the most indelible utterances from the conversation was someone saying: the hope is that together, “we co-create sacredness.” This line makes apparent the role of the artists of our time as active agents in mediating the golf between morality and humanity. Artists and art is imbued with the power of intuition and nuance to inhabit and meander the in-between spaces left unattended and languishing in centuries of deadening dichotomies.
Our intervention took place at the St. Egidien Church. Built 900 years ago, it is considered a significant contribution to the Baroque church architecture of Middle Franconia. Moreover, it has a traditional history of fine music with instruments such as organs, pianos positioned at different chapels.
Our project called IN RESIDENCE is convened by New York based composer, multi-instrumentalist and curator Lester St. Louis.
From July 7 - 10, the St. Egidien Church was transformed into a creative working environment. It became a kind of fluid space that was kept in motion by Lester St. Louis and five international artists over many hours, and whose perception is constantly changing as a result: from participatory, to immersive, from meditative, to discursive… with music, sound, texts, videos, dance, movement, lectures, conversations, comfort, discomfort, food, drink, light, space. “We work to hold and make space with each other” was the premise of the proposal.
Suffice it to say; it feels good to be a part of a project where Process is given priority over foreseeable/measurable outcomes.
Participating artists of IN RESIDENCE : Lester St. Louis and guests: Nikima Jagudajev, Emeka Okereke, Vanessa Sindihebura, Louise Trueheart, Chris Williams.
Our project called IN RESIDENCE is convened by New York based composer, multi-instrumentalist and curator Lester St. Louis.
From July 7 - 10, the St. Egidien Church was transformed into a creative working environment. It became a kind of fluid space that was kept in motion by Lester St. Louis and five international artists over many hours, and whose perception is constantly changing as a result: from participatory, to immersive, from meditative, to discursive… with music, sound, texts, videos, dance, movement, lectures, conversations, comfort, discomfort, food, drink, light, space. “We work to hold and make space with each other” was the premise of the proposal.
Suffice it to say; it feels good to be a part of a project where Process is given priority over foreseeable/measurable outcomes.
Participating artists of IN RESIDENCE : Lester St. Louis and guests: Nikima Jagudajev, Emeka Okereke, Vanessa Sindihebura, Louise Trueheart, Chris Williams.
Conversation Booth at the Musik Installationen Festival, Nurnberg
2,242