With PLAYBACK the ifa Gallery Berlin gives insight into the working process for a project at the African Union of the Nigerian sound artist Emeka Ogboh, who is winner of the competition for an artwork for the Peace and Security building of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The exhibition is based on sound and archive materials the artist compiled for his installation work at the builing in Addis Ababa. He brings together historical speeches broadcast by the Ethiopian radio network on the occasion oft he founding ceremony oft he Organisation of African Unity in 1963 with newly arranged compositions and his own sound recordings.
With reference to the principle of „Unity in Diversity“ the artist develops an adaption of the anthem of African Union based on translations into various African languages. In the form of a dynamic archive of voices, sounds and thoughts the installation engages with the past and present of the association of African states, with its pan-African visions and rhetorical Expressions.
The German Foreign Office is financing the construction of the Peace and Security building in Addis Ababa as a visible contribution to strenghtening the strategic management capability of the African Union with a view to conflict avoidance and conflict control. ifa was entrusted by the German Foreign Office with the concept oft he project, with realising the competition and overseeing the production process oft he winning work.
Programme
Friday October 23 2015, 18:00
Tuning in: Conversations on sonic memories
With Emeka Ogboh, sound artist; Anawana Haloba, artist; Neo Muyanga, musician, Composer; Florian Sievers, music journalist; Christina Werner, curator oft he exhibition.
Moderation: N’Goné Fall, curator and jury member oft he art competition fort he Peace and Security building oft he African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
