Works by our fellows Noncedo Gxekwa, Felipe Castelblanco and Géraldine Tobe, with assistance from Jeanpy Kabango, will be on view as part of the exhibition “History’s Footnote: on Love and Freedom” at Marres – Huis voor Hedendaagse Cultuur.

The exhibition by South African curator Khanyisile Mbongwa connects stories of resilience and protest. History’s Footnote exposes the traumas of racial, sexual, gender, and cultural inequality. At the same time, the exhibition reveals the invisible traces, untold stories and experiences and presents an alternative emancipatory history. It focuses on the search for love and freedom in which history is nothing more than a footnote. The exhibition gives voice to history, but at the same time imagines a future of freedom where we can know, live and love.

Those who have been oppressed know that independence does not come with freedom,“ Mbongwa says, „and those who do not have freedom are also denied love.“

The exhibition will be on view at Marres, from October 2nd until November 28th, 2021.

The opera project by the Mexican composer and sound artist was created during his six-month fellowship residency in 2021. In his work, Mendoza explores the possibilities of expanding sounds using his own analog and/or digital instruments. To create new ways of perceiving sound, he works with external electronic sources such as video, image and sensors. „Akasha“ is a series of five interactive compositions and ensembles based on the five essential elements (fire, water, earth, wind and spirit). The five elements of nature can exist on their own, but their environment begins to change as they interact.

Excerpts of the production of the opera „Akasha“ were seen at the Künstlerdorf on December 4, 2021. Due to the pandemic situation, the performance was initially held only for a small audience. Participating in the performance, in addition to Wingel Mandoza, were Jim Igor Kallenberg (dramaturgy), Michael Zwenzner (libretto), Camilo Pachón (masks and set design), and musicians Chie Nagai, Sinisia Ljubojevic, Marie Humburger and Ruben Mattia Santorsa.