Oliver Barstow
For five years, Ben Krewinkel has been building an ever growing collection of 20th century African photobooks. The 500 to 550 titles in his possession reflect the changing visual representation of the continent. Krewinkel’s collection is visible online; he is also working on a book. At what point did you realise you were starting a collection? I’ve been collecting photobooks for a long time now. The first two photobooks in my collection were Black Child by the South African photographer Peter... For five years, Ben Krewinkel has been building an ever growing collection of 20th century African photobooks. The 500 to 550 titles in his possession...
Laurens Nijzink
Three images. That’s all I’d seen of Santu Mofokeng’s work before now. So when I rushed to FOAM, the Amsterdam based photography museum, I felt quite unprepared. What I knew was that he was a South African and that he shot in black and white. That was about it. However, the fact that Mofokeng was given a solo exhibition at FOAM raised my expectations. I joined a guided tour by curators Hilde Haest (FOAM) and Joshua Chuang (based in New York) who has lately worked closely together with Mofokeng.... Three images. That’s all I’d seen of Santu Mofokeng’s work before now. So when I rushed to FOAM, the Amsterdam based photography museum, I felt quite...
Vamba Sherif
[Dutch text below] There was a time when African intellectuals, living primarily in France, felt it was necessary to respond to the overwhelming avalanche of philosophy, history, and other systems that continued to emphasize white superiority. Led by the poets Leopold Seda Senghor, Aimé Césaire and Léon Damas, they came up with an appropriate answer: Negritude, or being black. What better way to combat racism and deep rooted convictions than by using the same means as the oppressor? "Naked woman,... [Dutch text below] There was a time when African intellectuals, living primarily in France, felt it was necessary to respond to the overwhelming...
By ZAM Reporter
Realisme, magie en fabel: de verhalen van Lesley Nneka Arimah zijn geestig en wrang, wreed en hartverscheurend. Arimah’s werk verkent de grenzen van verschillende genres en creëert zo een volstrekt eigen stem met een geheel eigen geluid. Wat het betekent wanneer er een man uit de lucht valt is het opwindende begin van de carrière van een groot schrijverstalet en behoort tot de wonderlijkste, krachtigste literatuur van dit moment. Een boek winnen? Stuur een mail voor 20 april naar... Realisme, magie en fabel: de verhalen van Lesley Nneka Arimah zijn geestig en wrang, wreed en hartverscheurend. Arimah’s werk verkent de grenzen van...
ZAM Reporter
The Amsterdam-based South African artist Neo Matloga is nominated for the 2019 de Volkskrant Visual Art Award. ‘For me ZAM magazine was the first magazine reflecting people of colour. (…) It connects me to my people.’ Watch the full video here. The Amsterdam-based South African artist Neo Matloga is nominated for the 2019 de Volkskrant Visual Art Award. ‘For me ZAM magazine was the first...
ZAM Reporter
Ikhono Lasenatali (Zulu for a talent or skill) presents interpretations of Muholi’s ground-breaking Somnyama Ngonyama (‘hail the black lioness’) series. In a video produced by her Inkanyiso Collective’s member Lebogang Mashifani, Muholi explains that her initiative was fed by a desire to make more voices heard. “Young artists are speaking their own truths, they are using their own mediums. How do they look at my work? What do they feel?” Voices were silenced by the Apartheid architects and... Ikhono Lasenatali (Zulu for a talent or skill) presents interpretations of Muholi’s ground-breaking Somnyama Ngonyama (‘hail the black lioness’) series....
ZAM Reporter
South African photographer Nontsikelelo Veleko has given one of her images to ZAM as a gesture of appreciation for our work. “We are humbled by this gift. It encourages us to develop our international platform of creatives in the fields of investigative journalism, photography, arts and opinion with even more energy,”says ZAM editor Bart Luirink. Veleko wrote her motivation for the gift on the back of the picture: "To ZAM Magazine, a donation to keep the organisation invested in African arts,... South African photographer Nontsikelelo Veleko has given one of her images to ZAM as a gesture of appreciation for our work. “We are humbled by this...
ZAM Reporter
Rafiki (Swahili for friend) is a 2018 Kenyan drama film directed by Wanuri Kahiu. It is the story of friendship and tender love that grows between two young women, Kena and Ziki, amidst family and political pressures around LGBT rights in Kenya. The film had its international premiere in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival; it was the first Kenyan film to be screened at the festival. Rafiki was banned by the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) "due to its homosexual... Rafiki (Swahili for friend) is a 2018 Kenyan drama film directed by Wanuri Kahiu. It is the story of friendship and tender love that grows between two...
ZAM Reporter
The works of Saidou Dicko, Jodi Bieber, Andrew Esiebo? Household names for ZAM readers since their works have been covered by the magazine the past. They are three out of 25 photographers shortlisted for this year’s CAP Prize. The five winners will be announced on Wednesday 12 June, 5pm at Photo Basel international Art Fair in Basel, Switzerland. Check out the list of 25 photographers here . Jodi Bieber, CAP Prize 2019 Shortlist Saidou Dicko, CAP Prize 2019 Shortlist Sibusiso Bheka, CAP Prize 2019... The works of Saidou Dicko, Jodi Bieber, Andrew Esiebo? Household names for ZAM readers since their works have been covered by the magazine the past. They...
ZAM Reporter
With artists from Zimbabwe, the Netherlands and Germany. Using art to create a sustainable world and a circular economy. An initiative by the Stedenband Haarlem – Mutare, with special guest Elizabeth Muusha. More information here . With artists from Zimbabwe, the Netherlands and Germany. Using art to create a sustainable world and a circular economy. An initiative by the Stedenband...
ZAM Reporter
He feels most at home in his body. Choreographer and dancer Faustin Linyekula (DRC, 1974) even goes so far as to call his physique his "only country." It is both a depressing and reassuring approach. Home is nowhere to be found but home is always with you, wherever you go. Both Linyekula and William Kentridge (South Africa, 1955) are associate artists of the Holland Festival edition that has just started. There are various shows from Lineykula on stage and he takes part in some public... He feels most at home in his body. Choreographer and dancer Faustin Linyekula (DRC, 1974) even goes so far as to call his physique his "only country." It...
Bart Luirink & Madeleine Maurick
In this excerpt from their book Homosexuality in Africa. A disturbing love, Bart Luirink and Madeleine Maurick explore the writer’s innovative and truely decolonizing approach towards one of the continent sexual warzones. The chapter is based on interviews with Wainaina in Amsterdam and Nairobi and the readings of his rich oeuvre. If there's one African who personifies and, without doubt, embellishes the 'coming-out' story, then it has to be the Kenyan writer Binyavanga Wainaina, known as 'the... In this excerpt from their book Homosexuality in Africa. A disturbing love, Bart Luirink and Madeleine Maurick explore the writer’s innovative and truely...
ZAM Reporter
Sites of Memory is a project by Jennifer Tosch (founder of the Black Heritage Tours Amsterdam) and Katy Streek (theatre maker and programmer). Since 2016 they create a new performance, a theatrical boat trip about the 'hidden' stories about the history of slavery and colonialism in Amsterdam. The audience is taken past historical sites whilst spoken word artists, dancers, musicians and visual artists bring history to the present. This year they will research the theme 'Emerging Memory'. The... Sites of Memory is a project by Jennifer Tosch (founder of the Black Heritage Tours Amsterdam) and Katy Streek (theatre maker and programmer). Since 2016...
Oliver
After his suicide in 2002, friends of Johannes Kerkorrel, leadsinger of the South African Gereformeerde Bluesband , assemble to recount the story of his life and the rebellious Voëlvrij movement in the 80s. (Afrikaans, English subtitles) Watch the trailer here . Book for the screening at Zuid-Africa huis . After his suicide in 2002, friends of Johannes Kerkorrel, leadsinger of the South African Gereformeerde Bluesband , assemble to recount the story of his...
ZAM Reporter
The Sandberg Instituut invites you to the 2019 Graduation Exhibitions and Events at various locations in Amsterdam (NL). 91 graduates of the five Main Departments, two Temporary Programmes and Hosted Programme will present their works to the public on 14, 15, 16 June 2019. —MAIN DEPARTMENTS Critical Studies FedLev Building Fred. Roeskestraat 96 Design Studio Spijkerkade Spijkerkade 4A Dirty Art Department The Dirty Art Foundation Bijlmerplein 698 Fine Arts Ellen de Bruijne Projects Singel 372... The Sandberg Instituut invites you to the 2019 Graduation Exhibitions and Events at various locations in Amsterdam (NL). 91 graduates of the five Main...
ZAM Reporter
[Nederlandse tekst hieronder] For 5 years, the institute has been organizing widely applauded exhibitions in the Tolhuistuin in Amsterdam. The number of programmes, visiting artists, displayed works and objects is overwhelming. Framer Frame d always connect activism, politics, history, identity and the importance of collecting. It is precisely the works and the visions of artists from parts of the world for whom the established institutions still have too little eye that is given the attention it... [Nederlandse tekst hieronder] For 5 years, the institute has been organizing widely applauded exhibitions in the Tolhuistuin in Amsterdam. The number of...
Sisonke Msimang
On the day South Africa’s new president is sworn in, fighter pilots take to the air in a show that makes the crowds at Pretoria’s Loftus Versfeld stadium gasp. I listen on the radio as two journalists narrate the proceedings of the inauguration. They pepper their commentary with words like ‘best’ and ‘beautiful’ and ‘pride’. You can hear them beaming over the airwaves. They keep up a light banter, referring to the historic day in 1994 when Nelson Mandela became president of a newly democratic South... On the day South Africa’s new president is sworn in, fighter pilots take to the air in a show that makes the crowds at Pretoria’s Loftus Versfeld stadium...
Bart Luirink
The story of the persecution of the Jews in the 1930s and 1940s has been told, visualized and otherwise documented many times. The extent of people on the run, going into hiding and destruction is therefore part of our collective memory. They are chilling numbers that are beyond any comprehension; the systematic extermination by the Nazis was superlative in a blood-soaked row of crimes against humanity that Western "civilization" produced: slavery, colonialism, apartheid. A visit to Auschwitz two... The story of the persecution of the Jews in the 1930s and 1940s has been told, visualized and otherwise documented many times. The extent of people on...
Tsoku Maela
An old man with 9 fingers and twelve toes once told me a story while we shared a blanket and an oil lamp at a pastoral congregation one night. ‘Miracle healing service’, they called it, and many flocked to the township to receive it. I was probably the only person there that night who thought it was some scheme the pastor had concocted to make even more money or score a television deal; I wasn’t sick, my Mother just thought I was. Depending where you come from, depression can easily look like... An old man with 9 fingers and twelve toes once told me a story while we shared a blanket and an oil lamp at a pastoral congregation one night. ‘Miracle...
Eric Brassem
Institutions from Europe and Nigeria are talking about a new exhibition space in Benin City to host the bronzes that were once stolen and are still on view in European museums. At a meeting of the Benin Dialogue Group in the first weekend of July, 2019, reknown Tanzanian/British architect Sir David Adjaye was invited to Benin City, to share his ideas on a transformation of the town into a cultural hub. Picture courtesy of the Benin National Museum, Benin City, Nigeria The planned Royal Benin Museum... Institutions from Europe and Nigeria are talking about a new exhibition space in Benin City to host the bronzes that were once stolen and are still on...
Bart Luirink
From Monday, July 22, Dutch television broadcasts Ikenna Azuike's six-part documentary series about a "gigantic" and "spectacular" country in western Africa. Traveling between the extremes. Azuike made a name for himself as a satirical vlogger. After a career shift - he first worked as a lawyer - he joined RNW Media. This is where he developed his What’s Up, Africa satirical vlogs. They were soon noticed by BBC World and taken over. His new series Planeet Nigeria , produced by De Haaien with... From Monday, July 22, Dutch television broadcasts Ikenna Azuike's six-part documentary series about a "gigantic" and "spectacular" country in western...