The African Diaspora in the Indian Ocean World
Despite the lack of coverage linking two regions, the visual ties between these cultures are quite strong.
Culture
World Theater Day in Tunis
Plays, operas, children's events, participatory performances by audiences, and even some “open society” speeches lit up the Tunisian capital in defiance of religious extremists.
Pieter Hugo on ‘political correctness’
Pieter Hugo, the critically acclaimed South African photographer, has done an interview with Guernica (H/T Glenna Gordon) in which he seems to be taking issue with criticisms of his work, especially the “Nollywood” series: “It’s quite scary when academics start dictating to artists that they should be politically correct or follow certain rules of behavior — which means […]
The BET Awards do Africa
What are the cultural implications of the success of individual African artists in particularly U.S. mainstream media and award shows?
Friday Bonus Music Break, N°11
10 songs we’ve been listening to this week. First up — and fresh — Gaël Faye and Tumi (who needs no introduction):
This is not about art
Between the relentless media coverage, the twitter deluge, the pronouncement by a South African judge (“This is a matter of great national importance”), and declarations by the South African President’s daughters about “the straw that broke the camel’s back,” you might be forgiven for thinking that–finally–some urgency about South Africa’s big issues was making national […]
Akin Omotoso’s Country
A recurring theme in director Akin Omotoso's films is the fraught postapartheid relationship between Nigerian migrants and their South African hosts.
A balanced marriage between solitude and companionship
For our series, "My favorite photographs," we asked Philippa Ndisi-Herrmann about her favorites.
The Aura of Didier Drogba
Didier Drogba is the master of the unruly and the absurd: when he is in form, none of what the other team does matters.
Where is contemporary African art? Not at Bonhams
Bonhams must have employed some jokers to publicise their latest attempt to cash in on the buoyancy of contemporary African art in the global art market. The London auction house (est. 1793), which merged with rivals Phillips in 2001, have taken the opportunity to declare their position at the vanguard:
Friday Music Break, N°10
British based Nigerian rapper Modenine starts off our weekly Friday Music Break. Here’s four more.
‘Afropolitan Divas’ in London
The second Numbi of 2012 happened – with undeniable flamboyance – last Saturday, bringing a team of ‘Afropolitan divas’, and with them an influx of poetry and music from East Africa and elsewhere, to East London.
Achille Mbembe at the Tate Modern
The moderator received a text which said that the political philosopher was trying to find an internet café, then another saying Mbembe was trying to find an internet café with Skype, then another saying that he was trying to find an internet café with Skype in a part of the city where there wasn’t a power-cut.
The elephant in the room
The DJ's, Venus X and Boima, talk about their approach to music, but also about their run-ins with tastemaker Diplo, who has shaped popular music tastes globally.
Coca-Cola can’t copyright colour: the art of Sokari Douglas Camp
“Coca-Cola Bird” stands facing the corner of the gallery, half-turned towards us in surprise or exhibition, oily red paint spun across the bucket cocked over her head, the same brash color on the feathered tutu winding around her waist. Her chest sprouts sparkling empty bottles bearing the famous label, and familiar labile curves.
Uptown Sahel
Thinking about ways that Africa is represented by NGO's and other international organizations.
First as tragedy, then as farce
What is it with the conviction, held primarily in the West, that you can save yourself and the world (well, usually Africans) by shopping?
Congo Gold
Congolese-Belgian MC, Baloji: "In Congo, we had gold, but we turned it to something that had no value because we didn’t treat our country with the right respect."
Acoustic Guitar Break
We thought it would be nice to compile a Bonus Music Break centered on acoustic guitar music. First up is Toronto-based Ghanaian Kae Sun with “Lion on a Leash”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8d7AyRkDSs
Africanos Latinos
Latin America and the Caribbean haven’t gotten enough attention on this site. We’re going to intentionally rectify that, and I’m excited to start by sharing this video from sometimes collaborators of mine, Los Rakas.