AFROFUTOURISM: FALOMO IMMERSIVE CATALOGUE by Somi Nwandu

AFROFUTOURISM F A L O M O

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A F R I C A N

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Cover Art: Falomo. Somi Nwandu. Photo Manipulation. 2022

AFROFUTOURISM FALOMO IMMERSIVE C U R A T E D

B Y

S O M I

N WA N D U

NOVEMBER 6, 2022 A N

A F R I C A N

D I G I T A L

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E X P E R I E N C E

AFROFUTOURISM

Today, modern culture depends on technology for connectivity, movement, and transportation, all of which are essential features of human survival. This current technological age is also enabling artists to tell stories in ways like never before and to present their works in new contexts and mediums.

AFROFUTOURISM is a traveling and ongoing exhibition, experiential and storytelling series on African artists and artists of African descent exploring a reimagined African future through a personal or societal perspective while utilizing digital technology in their processes or presentations.

Its aim is to be a creative and cultural initiative promoting, enriching and advancing the creative spaces through innovative, forwardthinking and unconventional artistic experiences; to reinforce the power of culture and creativity as a catalyst for social change in and out of Africa.

The effective scope of African futurism has been considered across time and space and enhances the spectrum of what Africa pushes to be. The rise in the appreciation and awareness of African contemporary and digital art is sweeping across all corners of the world, and as it continuously advances, it shows no signs of slowing down.

- Somi Nwandu, Founder

FALOMO IMMERSIVE Falomo Immersive, the second edition of AFROFUTOURISM’s exhibition series, is about presenting a new wave of experiencing African Digital Art. It consists of an installation and exhibition taking place under Falomo Bridge in the heart of Ikoyi, Lagos.

Falomo is a communal public place, a landmark, and a transitional space in Ikoyi, Lagos. The Falomo under-bridge location 'aimed to regenerate a once dilapidated and discarded central part of the city and reopen an interactive communal space whilst providing architectural social infrastructure' developed in collaboration with Polly Alakija, who created the murals on the pillars in homage to the ‘Bring Back our Girls’ mission back in 2014. It now serves as a space for art, leisure, transition and performance. Falomo Immersive is about further connecting us to art, technology and the public realm of the city.

This exhibition aims to bring a stronger focus to the lack of representation for African digital art, highlighting a selection of local and international artists. Falomo Immersive is about bringing these experiences and representations to our public spaces.

Curated by Somi Nwandu

ARTISTS AFROSCOPE ANTHONY AZEKWOH EZEKIEL ORJI MIRACLE OTUGO MIRIAM NWOSAH NIYI OKEOWO NYANCHO NWANRI VINTAGE MOZART

AFROSCOPE Nana Isaac Akwasi Opoku aka. Afroscope (b. 1991, Ghana) is a multidisciplinary artist, designer and social entrepreneur, who experiments across the full scope of analog and digital media. His art-making process is extremely spontaneous and intuitive, resulting in imagery that is often surreal, otherworldly and afrofuturist. Afroscope’s works have been showcased across the world, including exhibitions such as the prestigious Venice Biennale (April 2022), where he represented his country, at Art Dubai (March 2022), at Museum Ostwall in Dortmund (December 2021), at the Digital Art Fair Asia, Hong Kong (October 2021), and in several other expositions. Through his practice, he has also had the unique opportunity to collaborate with notable organizations and individuals such as Nubuke Foundation, Adobe Inc., Chance the Rapper, MTV Base and several other prominent creative entities. Afroscope is also the cofounder of House of Stole, Cocoa360, Small Hype and Cyber Baat. He views his work as a pathway towards ‘decolonizing imagination’ and sees the mystical worlds he creates as extensions of his fascination with oneness, meditation and play. 10

ARTIST STATEMENT Afroscope [Nana Isaac Akwasi Opoku] is an artist and designer from Tema, Ghana who makes art that is often rooted

diversity

Afrikan

world

views

and

cosmogonies. The Yoruba concept of Ashè, the Nguni Bantu philosophy of Ubuntu and the Akan Adinkra symbology are some examples of his early, enduring influences. His work typically exudes strong surrealist leanings with afrofuturist undertones, as it asks and responds to questions such as: Who could we become if we remembered who we were? Where could we go if we remembered where we came from?What alternate realities and futures could we create if we knew our various pasts? The genesis of his formal art practice largely coincides with the peak of his disillusionment with colonially programmed norms, particularly within the spheres of education, religion, nutrition society and selfhood. Thus,

art-making

has

become

way

for

Nana

investigate and synthesize the alternative modes of being he continues to encounter on his ongoing journey to ‘decolonize imagination’. In essence, his work currently attempts to deconstruct normative reality and challenge popular tropes about Afrika(ns) by imagining transcendental visual narratives that usually comprise otherworldly beings, speculative dreamscapes and peculiar forms. Nana

straddles

the

worlds

myth,

mystery

and

automatism in his work. Ultimately he sees his art as portals into a multiverse of realities and also as a form of cosmic play.

@afroscope

Facing Forward

We Smile Despite the Past We Carry

2022

Digital Art

Spirit of the Earth, Friend of the Sun 2019 Digital Art

ANTHONY AZEKWOH Anthony Azekwoh is a digital artist and author who lives and works in Lagos, Nigeria. A native of the bustling city, his paintings possess a stunning depth in their appearance, inviting viewers to unravel their stories. Anthony first took an interest in writing at 13, and art at 16, initially drawing with ink pens on paper before moving to Adobe Photoshop. Entirely selftaught, what his work lacks in technical skill, it certainly supplements with heart. His distinctive art style creates captivating mystical worlds where his characters are brought to life. His multidisciplinary approach to art is a testament to his endless yearning for selfexpression.

ARTIST STATEMENT As an author, his writing is often myth-inspired, heavily imbibed with historical context. He has also worked as a voiceover artist as well as a project member on a creative magazine and a mental health app. “In everything I do – writing, art or otherwise –I'm trying to tell a story as honestly as I can, I'm trying to tell the truth,” he explains. Anthony’s artwork has been seen by millions around the world; his writing, by thousands. He was the recipient of the Awele Trust Prize in 2017 and the Loose Convo $1000 grant in 2018. He has written five books, the third released

through

publishing

deal

with

American

publisher, Inkwell Publishing. He has also published a series with Nigerian literary magazine Brittle Paper. He has worked with Show Dem Camp, Masego, Adekunle Gold, Blaqbonez and many more international clients. His artwork has been shown at exhibitions around Lagos and will be shown at more in the coming months. He has also been covered in publications like Native Mag, Zikoko, Yahoo Finance, Culture Custodian, Techpoint Africa and Olongo Africa,etc. With his artwork shown in Lagos, Abuja, Denver and upcoming shows in Abuja, Ghana, San Francisco and others, Anthony Azekwoh is a name more people will be hearing of very soon. And with sold-out NFT collections, he has set up the The Rosemary Fund, a grant that has supported over 10 Nigerian artists so far.

@anthonyazekwoh

Morningstar

The Red Man

2022

2020

Digital Art

Wisdom Man 2022 Digital Art

EZEKIEL ORJI I’m a 27-year-old digital artist, mural painter, and streetwear designer from Nigeria. My career started in 2017, amidst the hustle and bustle of Lagos. My focus has been to create a strongly communicative visual style or voice with a lucid language of its own while learning how to monetize my art by creating exciting products both physically and digital.

ARTIST STATEMENT My work depicts the beautiful, the mundane, and the ugly. It helps me juxtapose aspects of myself and my environment by using a mix of sub-realism, Afro-pop futurism, and elements of street culture, to envision a better future through my art by questioning traditional artistic, and socio-political norms. @kiel_orji

Headlessness of State

Think outside the box

2022

2021

Digital Art

Rhythm of the Relentless 2022 Digital Art

MIRACLE OTUGO Miracle Otugo(b.1998) is a Nigerian multidisciplinary artist. His work is inspired by history, science, cinema and architecture. Through digital 3D and augmented reality, he experiments with virtual spaces in a light-hearted way. His style is nuanced by a range of inspirations including sceneries from his dream. His aesthetic choice is more intuitive than deliberate, through his personal work, Miracle’s still images and animation summon a calming and tranquil emotional response. As a self-taught artist with a relentless desire to advance his artistic skills Miracle’s goal is to work with emerging technology to explore new art forms and novel ways of experiencing his art.

MIRIAM NWOSAH IMiriam Nwosah was born in Lagos, Nigeria in 1986. She established an early interest in art making while growing up which led her to become a self-taught multidisciplinary artist on a mission to raise awareness on socio-political issues. While in high school from 2000 - 2003, Miriam developed her love for photography while taking photos of her classmates with disposable cameras just for fun. The cameras, a tourist item, was a gift from her mum’s travels. Throughout the years she has also acquired skills in videography and graphics design through self-learning. In 2021 she became a certified art director from Ebonylife Creative Academy. She is the Creative Art Director at Webizza Studio, a content marketing company. As an expressionist artist, she has created pieces based on social commentary, ranging from the political climate in Nigeria, social justice, domestic issues and covid-19 pandemic. Using social media hashtag campaigns, her recent work titled “My Body” contributes to the ongoing #mahsaamini protest. 20

ARTIST STATEMENT Since moving to Lagos from Abuja 3 years ago, I am yet to get used to the traffic. I don't think it's possible to get used to it though, even older Lagos residents will tell you "...you have to plan for traffic or else Lagos traffic will plan for you" or “...you will be late for that event, meeting, flight etc". God forbid it rains! Okada (Motorcycle) to the rescue! That's if you get to an area where it's not banned. The series is a 3 piece set of three Eyo masquerades which is unique to Lagos state, represented here as silhouettes and in three stages of its dance moves, first standing upright, then in a crouching position and finally suspended in mid air after a jump in the course of dancing.

superimposed

busy

Lagos

road

using

graphics manipulation in Photoshop and Illustrator. My choice of colors was informed by the already existing elements from the combined photos. The

traffic

situation

has

improved

because

the

government is trying, but more needs to be done to make Lagos traffic a thing of the past. We need a Lagos that's not just standing still but active with free flowing traffic, like the flowing regalia and dance moves of the Eyo masquerade . @xentricmi

EKORAFFIC SERIES, 2021 (3 piece)

NIYI OKEOWO Niyi Okeowo is a multidisciplinary creative whose practice spans art direction, Graphic Design, 3D, animation, VR photography, and branding. Niyi has almost a decade of experience as a creative specialist, he has conceived experiences, identities, and visuals for a roster of clients including Adobe, Empire, Universal Music Group, Chivas, Smirnoff, Uber, and LVMH to name a few. Niyi’s work has been published in Okay Africa, Dazed Magazine, Fubiz, Print Mag, African Digital art, and The Guardian among others. He is currently the Chief Design Officer at Thrill Digital, where he leads the branding and art direction team building the Astraverse, a first-of-its-kind Metaverse Experience, showcasing a new way to shop and play in virtual reality using your avatar and receive your outfits in real life. Previously, Niyi served as an art director & lead designer at Ashluxe in Lagos, Nigeria. Helping the brand grow into a streetwear and fashion powerhouse in Africa. When he isn't working on client-related projects, he loves to travel and work on personal experiments such as The Sunflower Department and HelloMrColor. 23

ARTIST STATEMENT VHis work is grounded in simplicity and functionality, using colors and imagery to tell a story and solve complex visual problems. A big believer of using research to connect visual ideas from the past with current design trends and observations of the world. @helloniyiokeowo

PASSAGE RIGHTS 1

PASSAGE RIGHTS 2

2022

Digital Art

THE CELESTIALS 2022 Digital Art

NYANCHO NWANRI

Nyancho NwaNri is a lens-based artist whose work revolves around the self and the human psyche, personal and cultural identity, indigenous African spiritual traditions and knowledge systems as well as socio-political and environmental issues. She graduated with a Bsc (Hons) Digital Animation and Production from the University of Greenwich, UK, started her career at Disney’s ESPN and worked in the Film and TV industry in the United Kingdom and across West Africa before quitting her job to become a full-time artist and documentarian. Her works have been showcased at various exhibitions and festivals locally and internationally including; Rencontres de Bamako-African Biennale of Photography, Bamako, Mali, 2022 · Eyes On Main Street Festival, North Carolina, USA, 2021. The Oceans and Its Interpreters, Hong-Gah Museum, Taipei, Taiwan, 2020 · Art X Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria, 2019. VideoEx Festival, Zurich, Switzerland, 2018. Chale Wote Festival, Accra, Ghana, 2017. Ndiva Women's Film Festival, Accra, Ghana, 2017. In 2021 Nyancho was awarded the Reuters Yannis Behrakis Grant for Photojurnalism and also selected as a finalist for the Art X Prize. In 2020 she was shorlisted for the Wellcome Photography Prize. Nyancho NwaNri is passionate and dedicated to the research and preservation of African cultures, traditions and history, bridging the ancient and contemporary through her work as she believes the future cannot exist without the past. 23

ARTIST STATEMENT This project explores dance as a tool for physical and spiritual self expression. It delves into the role of dance in communicating, purging and healing lived experiences. By tapping into bodily knowledge one gets in touch with the surroundings not only as spaces to be explored but also to perceive how one is simultaneously influenced and moulded by them. To be in movement is to generate a series of shifts manifested through the flow of familiar motions,

unpredictable

processes

and

somatic

expressions via the wordless medium of the body. The material body then becomes a conduit for intangible and affective dimensions of being made known on a physical level. @nyancho_nwanri

INTERMEDIATION Video 2022 2:09

VINTAGE MOZART The pictorial and surreal universe of Vintagemozart (b. 1994) a Zimbabwean afro-surrealist and afrofuturist artist, investigates the themes of African and Greek mythology, enabling viewers to envision new realities and conceptualize a transcendent future. Best known for producing surrealist digital collages with music and animation, intertwining mythological tales and historical references to render mystical dreamscapes, Vintagemozart reifies an immersive experience and the evocative power of digital art.

ARTIST STATEMENT Vintagemozart’s own mixed-race heritage has greatly informed the unique work created. Their own part Asian ancestry inspired a love of anime and Asian culture, which

led

Vintagemozart

using

logograms

from

Chinese script and Kanji characters, offering an alluring edge to the outline of typographic maps that trace the body of each artwork’s muse. In tandem, Vintagemozart concentrates on juxtaposing visuals of the East and West, the past, present and imagined future, the old and the new to confront the curious question of what life would be like if the world’s history was different. Vintagemozart intentionally bridges thought and reality to create a permanence of a new world re-imagined, where a fluidity of different ideas coexist in a dialogue between the viewer and the art.

@vintagemozart

Third Place Winner 2022 Digital Art

Black Boy Joy

Just What I Am

2022

Digital Art

SOMI NWANDU Curator of AFROFUTOURISM: Falomo Immersive Somi Nwandu is an Independent art curator, multidisciplinary artist, fashion and cultural enthusiast. She has curated an array of international digital artists in the virtual and physical world including the first all female digital artist exhibition in Lagos, Nigeria. Most recently, she oversaw external affairs and communications at the Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of African Art in Washington, D.C She completed her MA in Global Creative and Cultural Industries from SOAS University of London while actively pursuing her ventures in the arts. Somi has had the opportunity to plan, develop and showcase major art and cultural initiatives in globally recognized institutions like Art Dubai, Expo 2020 Dubai, Tom Ford, Macy’s and more. She continues to build on digital and new media African artists to create more forward-thinking African art and cultural experiences and initiatives. Somi is a quintessential, creative soul with a deep desire to forge cross-cultural ties specifically through the Arts. She believes in the union of art and technology to uplift, unify and inspire a people. 30

Back Cover Art: Falomo. Somi Nwandu. 2022. Photography

@A F R O F U T O U R I S M WWW. A F R O F U T O U R I S M . C O M