32° East | Ugandan Arts Trust: Recent Episodes
32 degrees east
32° East | Ugandan Arts Trust is an independent non-profit organisation, focused on the creation and exploration of contemporary art in Uganda.
Producers of KLA ART, Kampala's public art festival and developed the KLA ART Labs alternative education program for research and critical thinking through public practice.
This teach-in, produced together with Makerere Institute for Social Research, was led by Palestinian community organiser Haneen Maikey who joined us in person in Kampala.
Maikey is the founder and former director of Al-Qaws, a civil society organisation disrupting gender-based oppression and transforming perspectives on marginalised groups. Maikey spoke on Palestine, decolonisation and patriarchy and invited the audience to consider certain questions on these topics such as: what is our individual positioning within patriarchy? How is gender politics used as a tool of colonialism? And is patriarchy the extension of colonialism?
As with previous teach-ins this was a hybrid event, with an in-person and online audience. You can find recordings of our teach-ins with Ora Wise and Amanny Ahmed, Baha Hilo, Anselm Kizza-Besigye and Yahya Sseremba on our Spotify for Podcasters channel
*the recording started after Haneen had already been introduced and started speaking
This first teach -in at 32 was hosted by artists, organisers, chefs and activists Amanny Ahmad and Ora Wise, who are offering a space for questions, for learning and for building solidarity. This session will be a moment for artists and community members to bring basic questions about what is happening in Gaza, and to learn more about the urgent need for solidarity at this moment.
Video screened: Is Israel guilty of Apartheid Against Palestinians. www.youtube.com/watch?v=MknerYjob0w
Teach-in with Baha Hilo
As an educator, Baha runs “To Be There” an initiative that offers educational programs about the history and culture of Palestine, including the annual Olive Harvest, Palestinian Land Day, Christmas in Palestine, and more. For this session, Baha will speak about the process of colonizing Palestine, and political, social and economic Apartheid.Here are the two links Fouad shared in the chat (thank you Fouad!)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dahiya_doctrine
Peled-Elhanan: Palestine in Israeli School Books: Ideology and Propaganda in Education, https://www.palestine-studies.org/en/node/163293
For our final teach-in of the year, we look at connections between Gaza, Uganda and beyond.
Researcher Anselm Kizza-Besigye (online) will take us through Uganda's historical and present relationship with the Israeli state; and Makerere Institute of Social Research Fellow Dr. Yahya Sseremba (in-person) will talk to us about the fundamental logic of the nation state, in Uganda and as a root of Zionist violence.
Links and References from Anselm:
Why Not Uganda?
Gidron, Y. (2020). Israel in Africa : security, migration, interstate politics. Zed.
Rovner, A. L. (2014). In the Shadow of Zion : Promised Lands Before Israel. New York University Press.
Sofia was Co-curator of the 32nd Bienal de São Paulo Incerteza Viva; Academic Curator at MUAC (Museo Universitario de Arte Contemporáneo – UNAM) in Mexico City, 2014–15; Research Curatorial Fellow at Independent Curators International, 2011; and Helena Rubinstein Curatorial Fellow at the Whitney Museum of American Art’s Independent Study Program, 2010. She received her BFA with honors from La Esmeralda National School of Fine Arts. In 2012, she was Workshop Clinics Director at International Symposium of Contemporary Art Theory and, from 2007 to 2010, Head of Education and Public Programs at Museo de Arte Carrillo Gil, both in Mexico City. Sofia is a member of Another Roadmap for Arts Education, of Red de Conceptualismos del Sur, and has contributed in specific events with the network Arts Collaboratory. Her project, Between Utopia and Disenchantment (Entre utopía y desencanto), critically assesses the collective memory and genealogies stemming from intentional community models developed in Mexico in recent decades, addressing the ideas developed by Ivan Illich at the Centro Intercultural de Documentación (CIDOC) and its extended influence to Mexican and international thinkers.
Sophia was one of the co-investigator at the KLA ART Labs Making Things Public lab sessions. This is a presentation she had during one of the sessions where she spoke about her practice, curation, spaces, unlearning and alternative education.
Ericka’s work takes the form of performative exhibitions, public programs, and publications. As part of her curatorial work she has written and performed what she calls “danceable lectures” in which she uses her experience of listening and dancing to salsa music to explore how the experience of rhythm helps to understand -in a bodily way- the notion of antagonism and how this enriches our notion of otherness. Her texts are published in different catalogues in Colombia and abroad, and also in mediums such as Revista Errata, Arcadia, Terremoto: arte contemporáneo en las Américas, and the USB Map Initiative of the Guggenheim Museum. Her interest in art and education led her to start with colleagues(Mónica Restrepo, Herlyng Ferla and Hernán Barón) La Nocturna, a platform to experiment on discursive and pedagogical formats. As part of her exploration on how we learn through our bodies and what a new education of the senses could be, she created (together with artist Herlyng Ferla) an experimental afterschool for kids and family where she designs a curriculum of art and transdisciplinarity.
Ericka was one of the co-investigator at the KLA ART Labs Making Things Public lab sessions. This is a presentation she had during one of the sessions where she details the thinking behind her practice and projects she has worked on.
Martin talks about his journey to making a piece of work based on the theme of 'Peace', the difficulty and details about the process and inspiration of the work he made.
Katesi explored different materials and weaving mechanisms while of residency here at 32° East, she also read books, visited physical spaces and got inspiration from communities around the city.
This was a presentation that took place during the KLA ART Labs Making Things Public lab sessions.
Odur talks about the work he made in Mali as well as the other artist and conversations that inspired the work he exhibited.
This was a presentation that took place during the KLA ART Labs Making Things Public lab sessions.
Gloria talks about the places she visited while in Mexico as well as the process of making her collaborative publication.
This was a presentation that took place during the KLA ART Labs Making Things Public lab sessions.
Alison talks about her moving experiences from meeting people and teaching children in Indonesia. As well as the ways she experimented with origami.
This was a presentation that took place during the KLA ART Labs Making Things Public lab sessions.
Edgar talks about how previous KLA ART Labs session were a guiding force to how he made work and researched while on residency in Indonesia
This was a presentation that took place during the KLA ART Labs Making Things Public lab sessions.
Charity made fantastic observations while in Mali that inspired her to use glitter and charcoal. She talks all about it in this episode.
This was a presentation that took place during the KLA ART Labs Making Things Public lab sessions.
Trevor details his interactions and thought process to what ended up inspiring his work while on residency
This was a presentation that took place during the KLA ART Labs Making Things Public lab sessions.
Liz talks about failures she faced while on residency at Lugar a Dudas using five objects from places she went and visited in Colombia
This was a presentation that took place during the KLA ART Labs Making Things Public lab sessions.
Jim Joel shares about his experience while on residency at Darb1718, talking about the connection he made, the interactions he had and the deliberate movements.
This was a presentation that took place during the KLA ART Labs Making Things Public lab sessions.
M talks about how she started to think about and use sound, inspired by experiences while she was on residency at Kyrgyzstan as well as the progression on her project on folklore.
This was a presentation that took place during the KLA ART Labs Making Things Public lab sessions.
MADEYOULOOK is Molemo Moiloa and Nare Mokgotho. The works of MADEYOULOOK are, as the name suggests, tongue-in-cheek interventions that encourage a re-observation of and defamiliarisation with the ordinary.
Molemo and Nare were co-investigators at the Research and Concept Development lab sessions where they explored new ways of working with the 11 lab participants.
MADEYOULOOK is Molemo Moiloa and Nare Mokgotho. The works of MADEYOULOOK are, as the name suggests, tongue-in-cheek interventions that encourage a re-observation of and defamiliarisation with the ordinary.
Molemo and Nare were co-investigators at the Research and Concept Development lab sessions where they explored new ways of working with the 11 lab participants.
Lobadys is a dancer and choreographer who has received formal education in contemporary dance studies at the “Colegio del Cuerpo,” (the School of the Body) and member of the International Company of Contemporary Dance led by the renowned choreographers Álvaro Restrepo and Marie France Deliuvin.
He was one of the co-investigators at the Research and Concept Development lab sessions where they explored new ways of working with the 11 lab participants.
Read the transcript to this episode here; https://medium.com/kla-art-labs/podcast-and-transcript-lab-session-1-reflections-lobadys-p%C3%A9rez-cb579c618885
The KLA ART Labs Documentation pre-lab was a 3-day mini-lab session where KLA ART Labs participants and their co-investigators explored various creative, alternative and poetic ways of documentation. This episodes highlights activities that took place during these sessions.
Check out the Documentation pre-lab highlights video on YouTube here
Hosted by Trevor Aloka, Edgar Kanyike and Odur Ronald, joined by their co-investigators from Art Collaboratory Sari Dennise and Dominique Ratton, featuring Waysatta and Syafiatudina. On the final day of the Documentation pre-lab sessions, the group had a fun time recording this Bano Balalu radio session.
Originally broadcast on radiotropiezo.org
Poet/Essayist/Zine-maker Gloria Kiconco reflects on the KLA ART Labs Research and Concept Development lab sessions
Find the transcript here
Instagram: @gloria.kiconco
KLA ART Labs is a 9-month program that leads up to the next edition of the KLA ART public arts festival. From 15th July – 23rd August, our 11 lab participants and their co-investigators Molemo Moiloa, Nare Mokgotho and Lobadys Perez explored new ways of working through the Research and Concept Development lab sessions. Read more about the labs on our website here;
Read more reflections from the Research and Concept development labs on our KLA ART Labs blog
KLA ART Labs Research and Concept Development lab session reflections from painter/sculptor Odur Ronald.
Instagram: @odurart_uganda
Read the transcript here
KLA ART Labs is a 9-month program that leads up to the next edition of the KLA ART public arts festival. From 15th July – 23rd August, our 11 lab participants and their co-investigators Molemo Moiloa, Nare Mokgotho and Lobadys Perez explored new ways of working through the Research and Concept Development lab sessions. Read more about the labs on our website here;
Read more reflections from the Research and Concept development labs on our KLA ART Labs blog
Martin Kharumwa is a multidisciplinary creative, capturing contemporary stories through various mediums. Here he reflects on the KLA ART Labs Research and Concept Development lab sessions
Find the transcript here
Instagram: @kharumwa
KLA ART Labs is a 9-month program that leads up to the next edition of the KLA ART public arts festival. From 15th July – 23rd August, our 11 lab participants and their co-investigators Molemo Moiloa, Nare Mokgotho and Lobadys Perez explored new ways of working through the Research and Concept Development lab sessions. Read more about the labs on our website here;
Read more reflections from the Research and Concept development labs on our KLA ART Labs blog
Alison Nadunga is an origami artist and public health worker. She reflects on one of takeaways from the KLA ART Labs Research and Concept Development lab sessions
Read the transcript here
Instagram: @nadungaaliso
KLA ART Labs is a 9-month program that leads up to the next edition of the KLA ART public arts festival. From 15th July – 23rd August, our 11 lab participants and their co-investigators Molemo Moiloa, Nare Mokgotho and Lobadys Perez explored new ways of working through the Research and Concept Development lab sessions. Read more about the labs on our website here;
Read more reflections from the Research and Concept development labs on our KLA ART Labs blog
Liz is a self-taught artist whose work is an exploration of mental health as illustrated by the interior worlds of women. She reflects on the KLA ART Labs Research and Concept Development lab sessions
Read the episode transcript here
Instagram: @kobusinge
KLA ART Labs is a 9-month program that leads up to the next edition of the KLA ART public arts festival. From 15th July – 23rd August, our 11 lab participants and their co-investigators Molemo Moiloa, Nare Mokgotho and Lobadys Perez explored new ways of working through the Research and Concept Development lab sessions. Read more about the labs on our website here;
Read more reflections from the Research and Concept development labs on our KLA ART Labs blog
Trevor Aloka is a self-taught hyper-realistic illustrator and painter. He reflects on the KLA ART Labs Research and Concept Development lab sessions.
Read the transcript here
Instagram: @aloka_trevor
KLA ART Labs is a 9-month program that leads up to the next edition of the KLA ART public arts festival. From 15th July – 23rd August, our 11 lab participants and their co-investigators Molemo Moiloa, Nare Mokgotho and Lobadys Perez explored new ways of working through the Research and Concept Development lab sessions. Read more about the labs on our website here;
Read more reflections from the Research and Concept development labs on our KLA ART Labs blog
Dancer, photographer and filmmaker, Kanyike Edgar reflects on the sessions at the KLA ART Labs Research and Concept Development labs.
Find the transcript here
Instagram: @kedgars_
KLA ART Labs is a 9-month program that leads up to the next edition of the KLA ART public arts festival. From 15th July – 23rd August, our 11 lab participants and their co-investigators Molemo Moiloa, Nare Mokgotho and Lobadys Perez explored new ways of working through the Research and Concept Development lab sessions. Read more about the labs on our website here;
Read more reflections from the Research and Concept development labs on our KLA ART Labs blog
M is a multi media artist specializing in woven installation, sculpture and painting. Here she reflects on one of her takeaways from the KLA ART Labs Research and Concept Development lab session
Read the transcript here
Instagram: @mnowandforever
KLA ART Labs is a 9-month program that leads up to the next edition of the KLA ART public arts festival. From 15th July – 23rd August, our 11 lab participants and their co-investigators Molemo Moiloa, Nare Mokgotho and Lobadys Perez explored new ways of working through the Research and Concept Development lab sessions. Read more about the labs on our website here;
More reflections from the Research and Concept development labs on our KLA ART Labs blog
KLA ART Labs Research and Concept Development lab session reflections with photographer, Jim Joel Nyakaana. The juxtaposition of the built environment and the human form is a recurring theme in his work.
Read the transcript here
Instagram: @jim_joel_photography_safaris
KLA ART Labs is a 9-month program that leads up to the next edition of the KLA ART public arts festival. From 15th July – 23rd August, our 11 lab participants and their co-investigators Molemo Moiloa, Nare Mokgotho and Lobadys Perez explored new ways of working through the Research and Concept Development lab sessions. Read more about the labs on our website here;
Read more reflections from the Research and Concept development labs on our KLA ART Labs blog
KLA ART Labs participant, Katesi, is a multi-media artist specializing in woven installation, sculpture and painting. Here she reflects on the activities during the Research and Concept Development labs.
Read the transcript here
Instagram: @the_kalange_official
KLA ART Labs is a 9-month program that leads up to the next edition of the KLA ART public arts festival. From 15th July – 23rd August, our 11 lab participants and their co-investigators Molemo Moiloa, Nare Mokgotho and Lobadys Perez explored new ways of working through the Research and Concept Development lab sessions. Read more about the labs on our website here;
Read more reflections from the Research and Concept development labs on our KLA ART Labs blog
KLA ART Labs Research and Concept Development lab session reflections with painter and digital illustrator, Charity Atukunda. In her practice, she explores with charcoal, canvas, glitter, found objects and more.
Read the transcript here
Instagram: @charity.atukunda
KLA ART Labs is a 9-month program that leads up to the next edition of the KLA ART public arts festival. From 15th July – 23rd August, our 11 lab participants and their co-investigators Molemo Moiloa, Nare Mokgotho and Lobadys Perez explored new ways of working through the Research and Concept Development lab sessions. Read more about the labs on our website here;
Read more reflections from the Research and Concept development labs on our KLA ART Labs blog