Photos from the opening of ‘Kinzonzi’ at the National Museum of DR Congo in Kinshasa as part of LABKONTEMPO 2021/2022
ABOUT
The Kinzonzi of Laboratoire Kontempo 2021/22 brings together artists, specialists, researchers and theorists from Kinshasa, Berlin and other places in an analogue and digital transdisciplinary experimental space in order to question the structures of postcolonial power, epistemic hierarchies and dominant trends in contemporary international art scenes.
In Kikongo, one of the national languages the word Kinzonzi, is referring to a meeting incorporating codified customary and traditional practices. This procedure, commonly called the African palaver, is a valuable tool for carrying out negotiations within the family or the society whether in Congo or in Africa in general.
The Laboratoire Kontempo 2021/22 interprets the term “Kinzonzi” According to popular culture in the sense of conspiracy, consultation, a space of necessary interactions to question the Imagination, the foundation of our futures and our contemporary realities.
Within the framework of the Laboratoire Kontempo 2021/22 project, developed in collaboration with ACUD MACHT NEU (Berlin), the emphasis is on an exchange between local perspectives of Kinshasa, and subjects which are discussed at the international level but which have a direct influence on daily life and artistic trends. These topics include stereotypes in the perception of Africa and African cultures, (post) colonial realities and their power dynamics, and linguistic, intellectual and epistemic hierarchies.
October 2021 in Kinshasa
May 2022 in Berlin
Participating artists:
Billy Ngalamulume Mukinay alias Kill Bill
Dedhel Bulamatadi Kisinga
Guelord Vulu Vangu
Gabriella Torres-Ferrer
Jérôme Chazeix
Jessika Khazrik
Koko Kabamba Byamungu
Luiza Prado
Miguel Buenrostro
Mukenge/Schellhammer
Paulvi Ngimbi
Prisca Tankwey
Rachel Nyangombe
Raul Walch
Sammy Baloji
Sinzo Aanza
Dorine Mokha (Hommage)
Researchers:
Jean Kamba
Sorana Munsya
Cornelia & Holger Lund (fluctuating images)
Radio Programming:
Jasmina Al-Qaisi & Ralf Wendt with Orakle Ngoy
