Trace: Transactional Aesthetics

Ndidi Dike presents an installation that bring us closer to the activities involving trade and commodities. This time Dike’s project seeks to explore the history of commodity in Indonesia and Nigeria. Specifically viewing of various products in Lagos markets appears to be in a seemingly chaotic state, but a second look reveals an ordered nature of aesthetically arranganged street market tableaus. The history of trading commodities as well as establishing a relationship between the two countries has strengthened Nigeria’s relationship with Indonesia as well as those of other equatorial countries.Also playing a metaphor for the colonial influence over commodities and consumption is the inclusion of the historical and popular tea tray with all its accruements and delicacies referencing a shared colonial history between Indonesia and Nigeria through our colonial bonds. It has also brought to fore the discourse on the nations dependence on local produce goods and the political underpinings of food production and consumption. The work has the potential to provoke questions about the culture of commodity and politics of food that has become much like air; it is present but its existence is rarely questioned.