The performance UKITAKA NIFURAHISHA, NIPE YA SIKUKUU took place at the beach of Lamu Island, in front of the Indian Ocean and Manda Island, home to the baobab tree whose measurements captured by sensors were later colour-coded in khangas, an emblematic fabric of the Swahili coast. Passers-by could ask questions and walk over the work, becoming part of communication with the baobab. The khanga installation helped bridge the distance between trees and the human species. the cultural code met the scientific one.
Sayings printed along the wide rim of khangas have been a means of symbolic communication for ages, conveying the mood of the wearer. The title for the installation was taken from one of the khangas. UKITAKA NIFURAHISHA, NIPE YA SIKUKUU means “if you want me happy, give me a holiday gift”.
UKITAKA NIFURAHISHA, NIPE YA SIKUKUU performance 2 (2021) by Olga Kisseleva, James Mweu, and James MuriukiOriginal Source: https://eaman.org/
UKITAKA NIFURAHISHA, NIPE YA SIKUKUU, view from a drone
Installation UKITAKA NIFURAHISHA, NIPE YA SIKUKUU, full view when completed. About 500 khangas were used for the installation.
UKITAKA NIFURAISHA NIPE YA SIKUKUU, performance 35 (2021) by Olga Kisseleva, James Mweu, and James MuriukiOriginal Source: https://eaman.org/
The installation team and the passers by
Path in the sand made of colour-coded khangas (about 500) laid out for the installation UKITAKA NIFURAHISHA, NIPE YA SIKUKUU.
Path in the sand made of colour-coded khangas (about 500) laid out for the installation UKITAKA NIFURAHISHA, NIPE YA SIKUKUU.
UKITAKA NIFURAHISHA, NIPE YA SIKUKUU performance 5 (2021) by Olga Kisseleva, James Mweu, and James MuriukiOriginal Source: https://eaman.org/
A Khanga path surrounded by footprints
The Khanga path is pointing to Manda Island, home to the baobab tree whose measurements were used for colour coding and communicative installation.
UKITAKA NIFURAHISHA, NIPE YA SIKUKUU performance 6 (2021) by Olga Kisseleva, James Mweu, and James MuriukiOriginal Source: https://eaman.org/
The cultural code meets the scientific one
Installation UKITAKA NIFURAHISHA, NIPE YA SIKUKUU shimmering in the evening sun.
UKITAKA NIFURAHISHA, NIPE YA SIKUKUU performance 9 (2021) by Olga Kisseleva, James Mweu, and James MuriukiOriginal Source: https://eaman.org/
Installation UKITAKA NIFURAHISHA, NIPE YA SIKUKUU (“if you want me happy, give me a holiday gift” in Swahili), a fragment.
UKITAKA NIFURAHISHA, NIPE YA SIKUKUU performance 19 (2021) by Olga Kisseleva, James Mweu, and James MuriukiOriginal Source: https://eaman.org/
Bridging the distance between trees and humans ...
....through science and art. The texture of khangas blending with the flow of sand at Shela beach, installation UKITAKA NIFURAHISHA, NIPE YA SIKUKUU, Lamu island.
UKITAKA NIFURAHISHA, NIPE YA SIKUKUU, Performance (2021)
Authors: Olga Kisseleva and James Muriuki
Installation: James Mweu
Photographer: Ian Kathurima Kinyua (SwiftLab), James Muriuki, Margaret Ngigi
Video editing: James Muriuki, Emmaus Kimani, Federico Debetto
Curator: James Muriuki
Project & Technical Coordinator: Emmaus Kimani
Project Director: Maria Amelina
Commissioned, co-created and co-produced by EAMAN
Participation of the Anidan Centre, Lamu is gratefully acknowledged.
Listening to The Rift Valley Project
https://eaman.org
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