Taking the stories and histories of the Indian Ocean as its departure point, the group exhibition Indigo Waves and Other Stories: Re-Navigating the Afrasian Sea and Notions of Diaspora brings together several contemporary artists, musicians, writers and thinkers to investigate, unpack and shed light on some of the smaller and bigger historical, cultural and linguistic links between the continents of Africa and Asia.
Indigo Waves and Other Stories: Re-Navigating the Afrasian Sea and Notions of Diaspora brings together works by several contemporary artists, filmmakers, musicians, writers and researchers. Combining new commissions with existing projects, the exhibition traces links between the Asian and African regions, manifesting overlays and diasporic transfers between two areas of increased global political, economic and cultural importance in the 21st century. The Indian Ocean emerges as a communal horizon that reveals shades of cultural, linguistic, political and historical passage from ancient times to the present. The exhibition takes us from ancient routes of transregional exploration, trade and seasonal migration up through contemporary afroasiatic exchanges, from languages, sounds, waters, economies, philosophies and more.
With works by Kelani Abass, Malala Andrialavidrazana, Shiraz Bayjoo, Rossella Biscotti, M'barek Bouhchichi, Nikhil Chopra, Dhow Countries Music Academy, Tishani Doshi, Köken Ergun and Fetra Danu, Adama Delphine Fawundu, Haji Gora Haji, Kudzanai-Violet Hwami und Belinda Zhawi, Clara Jo, Jasmine Nilani Joseph, John Njenga Karugia, Jeewi Lee, Lavanya Mani, Oscar Murillo, Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor, Dominic Sansoni, Sim Chi Yin, Jennifer Tee, Jack Beng-Thi, Abdourahman A. Waberi
Indigo Waves and Other Stories: Re-Navigating the Afrasian Sea and Notions of Diaspora consists of two exhibition parts that have been composed in resonance, showing concurrently at the Gropius Bau and SAVVY Contemporary in Berlin. While moving between these venues, visitors can experience fluid associations that open up like the tug and swell of tides. The exhibition is accompanied by a public programme across the two exhibition venues.
Curated by Natasha Ginwala and Bonaventure Soh Bejeng Ndikung with Michelangelo Corsaro
In partnership with SAVVY Contemporary, Berlin; Zeitz MOCAA, Cape Town; Vasl Artists’ Association, Karachi and BLAK C.O.R.E. (Care of Radical Energy), University of Melbourne
