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conversationS From The Center

EPISODE #8 - Affecting technologies

We begin with a Case Study exchange with host Sylvain Souklaye and curator/artist Sabrina Huth, who sheds light on creating a physical exhibition “Stories of Absence” during the pandemic in Amsterdam. Then we proceed to a piece by performance artist Diana Schuemann (based in Haifa), who poses the question of movement during uncertain times. For our conversation portion, we welcome CAD+SRs very own Affecting Technologies research group featuring Katherine Ye, Gabriel Pereira, and Bruno Moreschi, a group of artists, researchers, technologists and activists, who work towards new countercultures of computing. Lastly, we end with a sound piece entitled “Água de Chocalho (Rattle Water)” introduced by sound curator KMRU, created by Brazilian sound artist and researcher, Yuri Bruscky.

EPISODE #6 — RESISTANCE

We start with our Case Study, a conversation with the Field Recording show, a programme exploring the soundscape, recording, listening, and composing hosted by Kate Carr and Luca Nasciuti. This will be followed by an audio performance piece by Intan Rafiza, entitled ROOT BECOME RITUAL. Our conversation on Resistance is with the esteemed guests Dr. Lisa Brock and Otis Cunningham, long-time activists and historians who have focused on Black resistance in the Americas (and in the world in general). The episode closes with a sound artwork by ogniki, whose focus on the cathartic elements of club culture has us hooked!

EPISODE #5 — UTOPIA (No Place)

We're back, starting with a short conversation with Tel Aviv based programmer and designer Ariel Malka, who develops experimental interactive projects. Next we hear TJB's audio performance, expressing the artist’s non-binary self as 40 droplets of water impacting a heated sheet of steel. Following that, we have our monthly conversation, which is about “Utopia,” the elusive and idyllic no-place of a happier and more just society. The idea of utopia has had many consequences throughout history, and much has been built and unbuilt around it. Participants in this conversation include a diverse group of researchers, artists and designers composed by Susana Delahante Matienzo (Cuban, based in Amsterdam), Giuliana Visco (based in Rome), and Ou Ning (based in China). Finally, I am chatting with KMRU to introduce the work of Sarah Badr (FRKTL), whose new, untitled sound art piece closes the episode.

EPISODE #4 — FREE/SPACE

In our newest episode, we hear a sonic investigation of free space: real, virtual, and imagined. We hear from Louise O’Kelly and Marlies Augustijn, organizers of Block Universe, a performance art festival based in London. Challenged by the current pandemic, they discuss: How? When? Where? An audio-based performance by Anissa Tamene follows. Our conversation then hones in on “Free/Space,” rethinking the spaces in which we live, work, occupy, and imagine. What could a truly free space look like? Participants in this conversation include a diverse group of researchers, artists and designers composed by Sibonelo Gumede (South Africa), Sonia Barrett (UK/Germany), Usha Seejarim (South Africa), and Syowia Kyambi (Kenya). Finally, ending our episode is a sonic experience by artist Aho Ssan, curated by Joseph Kamaru (KMRU). The series is produced by Sylvain Souklaye, with Dalida María Benfield and Chris Bratton. The conversation on “Free/Space” was recorded at the AfroQueer Podcast studios, Nairobi, with engineer Tevin Sudi. 

EPISODE #3 — TRANSFORMING MATERIALS

Hector Canonge discusses his studio home MODULO 715 in NYC, and the residency program he organized in the space. Faced with a fire that destroyed the building, he had to restart everything (once again). What is an audio performance? The first answer in our series comes from Tamara Al-Mashouk, who asks among other things: “Where are you from?” Next, we invited participants in our residency in Nairobi (Kenya) to discuss: how do you understand transformation in flux? How are materials (and their transformations) part of your art, activism, and research practice? Our group of conversants include artist Laura Porter (Paris/France), artist Wambui Collymore (Nairobi/Kenya), artist/organizer Dennis Kiberu, (Nairobi/Kenya) and photojournalist Adam Sings In The Timber (Providence/USA). We finish off with Dutch sound artist Zeno Van Den Broek’s interpretation of Conversations From The Center, through an audio composition of voices from the future. Portions of this program were recorded at the AfroQueer podcast studios in Nairobi, Kenya.

Episode #2 — radical listening

KMRU, a sound artist and field recordist from Nairobi (Kenya), introduces their relation to audio, sonic and vibration. KMRU speaks on ways of relating to space through sound, as sound both creates a memory of the physical presence, at the same time as it creates a map of a new land. Afterwards, we discuss Radical Listening with our guests, exploring the importance of sound in relation to architecture, writing, location, education and activism. What do we hear when we stop talking? What do we hear from others, not only people but the populous world around us? What sounds emerge, what silences, what understandings? The conversation group is composed of sound artist KMRU (Kenya), researcher Pelin Tan (Turkey), writer Michelle Angwenyi (Nairobi/Kenya), and artist/researcher and Projects Director at CAD+SR Mary Ellen Strom (US). Portions of this program were recorded at the AfroQueer podcast studios in Nairobi, Kenya.

Episode #1 — Dis/Order

Usha Seejarim, artist from South Africa, introduces a key moment of transformation in her life, when she was asked to design a permanent public memorial for Nelson Mandela in anticipation of his death. Afterwards, we converse with sociologist of the arts Margarita Kuleva (Russia), artist/researcher Bruno Moreschi (Brazil) and technology researcher/activist Jackline Kemigisa (Uganda) about how they see their work in relation to the theme of Dis/Order.

Portions of this program were recorded at the AfroQueer podcast studios in Nairobi, Kenya.