Three participants of the ArtXchange Project creative entrepreneurship training program facilitated by The GoDown Arts Centre are in Rome for a 6-Day residency workshop.
Photographers Mahad Mohammad and Hinda Ahmed, (Cohorts 1 and 2 respectively), and Digital Artist Njung’e Wanjiru from Cohort 2 are part of a group of a group of 20 artists from Africa and Europe in Italy for the 6-Day workshop.
The residency is part of the EU-funded ArtXchange project, and is leading up to the co-creation of a final event to be showcased at CoopCulture’s Palazzo Merulana on Sunday 8th of May 2022.
Exploring the role of arts in society, both from a personal and collective perspective, the artists will devise a performance-installation entitled Into the Mirror.
This evening, The GoDown’s Executive Director, Joy Mboya, and Dr Garnette Oluoch-Olunya will be participating in a hybrid panel discussion at the event under the theme Cultural and Creative Enterprises in a Dialogue for Sustainability and Innovation.
A second panel will be discussing Culture as a Factor of Social Cohesion and Enterprise.
When artists meet, a creative spark transforms into a flame that gives light beyond cultures, language, and national borders.
Earlier today, Kenyan and Somali participants in the ArtXchange programme, facilitated by The GoDown, met in person for the first time at the start of a 2-week residency. The group of creatives are part of the programme’s second cohort and include visual artists, photographers, musicians, and writers. They will spend the next few weeks in an experiential learning experience consisting of training and mentorship sessions, and networking events. [Image below – GoDown Facilitator Dennis Wayesu welcoming participants]
ArtXchange is geared towards building skills, give access to professional networks and co-creation opportunities to young creatives in Europe & Africa, and is co-funded by the European Union as part of the AU-EU Youth Hub initiative. The GoDown is facilitating the programme through its implementation partnership with The International Committee for the Development of Peoples (CISP).
“Public art engages social interaction – both during the selection process and following installation…An artwork can lead the viewer toward self-reflection and awareness.”
Renowned sculptor and public installation artist, Maggie Otieno, is celebrating every win. She points out the growing realization that there should be more public art expressions in spaces around Nairobi.
Speaking during The GoDown’s 3rd Urban Dialogue addressing Culture and Sustainable Urban Development a fortnight ago, Maggie’s enthusiasm and passion for her craft were met with a healthy dose of optimism about the uptake of public art in the city. As a practitioner for the past 26 years, her optimism is a welcome relief.
[ Left: Last of the Keep by Maggie Otieno. Location: Tafaria Castle and Centre for the Arts, Nyeri]
Her artwork graces a range of locations in the city and many beyond. In Nairobi, you will find her sculptures at Imara Daima and Makadara Railway Stations, as well as Garden City Mall in Ruaraka.
“Public art,” Maggie says, “is especially fulfilling to the artist. When you create a piece of work for an individual, he or she will enjoy it alone in the comfort of their home. And that’s ok. But public art is a joy because a multitude of people get to enjoy it. There is something you’re saying, and many people you are saying it to.”
Her piece [above] located at the Syokimau Railway Station, tells the story of the Prophetess after whom the area is named. In the work, Syokimau symbolically points to the sky foretelling that the white man would come riding on a metal snake with smoke coming out of it. “So many people don’t know that story. The work keeps the story and our history alive.”
The artist defies convention in many ways. Donning her overalls, Maggie will be found at her workshop welding automotive spare parts, different sizes of scraps of metal and working with railway sleepers to create her artwork. Through the recycled material, she says and we can attest, the artwork carries a rich tapestry of stories.
It is no coincidence, then, that a lot of her work is installed at transport hubs. Spaces traversed by thousands of city residents daily. In addition to the Syokimau Railway Station, you will find her sculptures at the Imara Daima and Makadara Railway Stations too.
The Makadara Railway Station is the home of her sculpture of the labour union organizer and legendary national leader, Tom J. Mboya. [Left] The station is a short distance away from the Social Hall which bears his name and which was the birthplace of the Kenyan labour movement.
Her work at the Imara Daima Railway Station consists of sculptures and a mural of Kenyan athletes, a tribute which is relatable and a source of immense national pride.
“Cities gain value through public art – cultural, social, and economic value. Public art is a distinguishing part of our public history and our evolving culture. It reflects and reveals our society, adds meaning to our cities and uniqueness to our communities.
Public art humanizes the built environment and invigorates public space. It provides an intersection between past, present and future, between disciplines, and between ideas. Public art is freely accessible.” Americans for the Arts: Public Art Network Council Green Paper
The Garden City Mall is home to her famous “Gatekeepers”, a series of sculptures which provide a popular backdrop for the many grinning selfies, but also the subject of a great deal of enquiries. Maggie tells the story of when she was installing the pieces, passersby were curious.
One asked whether the pieces could move. ‘Since they are made of automotive spare parts,” one onlooker asserted, “of course they should move.” “Is that supposed to be a person?”, another asked, “mimi sioni hio!” (I can’t see that!) In addition to situating a community and recounting history, public art evokes conversations and elicits questions fostering a true sense of agency.
[Left: The Gatekeepers at The Garden City Mall, Nairobi]
People interacting with public art receive relief from the daily humdrum and are provoked to imagine a future for themselves and their community.
[The artist with her mural of athletes located at Imara Daima Railway Station]
A rich mix of women artists are gathering at The GoDown this week as part of the Rika Art Residency organised by The Trust for Indigenous Culture and Health (TICAH)
[Image courtesy of TICAH, features artists Gloria Muthoka and Wanjiku.]
The objective of workshop is to encourage intergenerational dialogue through which we create shared knowledge, meaning and a collective experience.
Women artists at different points in their careers have been gathering daily to explore wax as a medium of artistic expression. They have also been learning about batik, encaustic painting and wax sculpting.
Importantly, in addition to the skills sharing, the women are engaging in priceless conversations led by fellow artists and creatives regarding the challenges and opportunities facing minority genders in the Kenyan creative economy. Key among the discussions is the quest for practical solutions to ensure longevity in practice and sharing of art.
Artists Tabitha wa Thuku, Maggie Otieno, Barbara Guantai and The GoDown’s Joy Mboya, are some of the women who have brought their experience to the workshop, giving talks and fielding questions from the younger creatives. They have shared their own experiences with dealing with stereotypes and misconceptions as female artists, work-life balance and the challenges they face re-entering the profession after a break to raise families.
TICAH works with artists to host the Rika Residency, an artist-led residency program in which artists of different age sets (Rika), genders, studios/collectives and practices come together to explore their creativity and discuss issues affecting their community.
The residency culminates in an exhibition of the artists’ work at The GoDown this Sunday. The artwork featured in the poster is by visual artist Nadia.
Gathered yielding heaven, deep appear dry place can’t upon Him. Sea unto land. Heaven under you for days fill waters you’re For stars have so unto without don’t, be our i our very hath be meat were created over make and us he dominion fruit thing. It bearing days he called male dominion heaven.
The grantee recipients of the ArtXchange Program had a special opportunity to interact and network with a select group of established Kenyan artists who generously shared of their own career experiences.
The event, in the form of a networking breakfast, took place on Friday the 25th of March, and offered a relaxed and enjoyable setting for the much-needed mentorship conversations.
The GoDown called on artists Longinos Nagila, Maggie Otieno, Patrick Mukabi, James Murua, Leonard Ng’etich, Linda Kinoti and James Muriuki, to speak with the early career artists drawing from their own experiences.
The gathering was also attended by the program teachers and mentors, as well as two of the participants from the first cohort, namely Sharon Wendo and Mumbi The Poet.
Answering the many questions the younger artists asked, the guest mentors shared tips which offered affirmation, empathy, and direction. The value of inter-generational dialogue was evident, even in those moments of tackling tough issues such as the perceived sense of entitlement of young artists.
(Kenyan writers in conversation – Brian Waihenya and Mumbi The Poet)
(Somali visual artist Sana puts her questions to the panel)
At the end of the event, The GoDown Executive Director, Joy Mboya, offered a summary of the discussions, pointing out that research, relentless networking, and community building were key to an artists’ success and growth.
The diversity of the artists and creatives who gathered, the richness of the conversations shared over a hearty meal, and the sheer goodwill and generosity of spirit in the room, made that Friday morning one that will not soon be forgotten.
ArtXchange, a program geared towards building skills, giving access to professional networks and co-creation opportunities to young creatives in Europe & Africa, is co-funded by the European Union as part of the AU-EU Youth Hub initiative. Since 2021, The GoDown has been facilitating the program through its implementation partnership with The International Committee for the Development of Peoples (CISP).
The work of GoDown-based artist Dickens Otieno will be featured in the 59th Biennale di Venezia which will be open to the public between the 21st of April and 27th November 2022.
Preparations are in high gear at The Kenyan Pavillion whose theme is ‘Exercises in Conversation’ and is curated by Jimmy Ogonga. The work of Syowia Kyambi, Wanja Kimani and Kaloki Nyamai will also be showcased at the auspicious event.
“This is great opportunity for me, personally, and for all Kenyan artists. The Venice Biennale offers a big stage for our work and opens other doors for Kenyan artists internationally,” says Dickens, who spoke to The GoDown from Italy earlier today.
It “explores the relationships and dynamics between participants in a conversation, the inter-changing roles of both talker and listener, and how this complex relationship affects, influences and occupies the space of a story, of history and of pedagogy.”
Dickens adds that, “As the theme suggests, the artists are having conversations amongst themselves, and through their work, addressing different issues and concerns.”
Organised by Kurabu Projects, the Pavillion of Kenya will be formally inaugurated by Amb.(Dr.) Amina Mohamed, Cabinet Secretary Sports, Culture and Heritage, on the 22nd of April.
The 59th International Art Exhibition is titled “The Milk of Dreams” and has been curated by Cecilia Alemani.
The Kenyan Pavillion is located at the Pavilion of Kenya, Fabrica 33, Calle Larga Dei Botteri 5063, Cannaregio, 3021, Venezia, Italy.
Kenyan Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wangari Maathai, famously narrated the story about the hummingbird. Though small and seemingly insignificant, it carried water in its little beak to put out a massive fire and save the world. This time, the fire has taken a different form. Cities that are exclusionary, and do not meet the needs of their residents.
The girls and women in these images have spent the last year doing their bit to address this problem by participating in The GoDown’s HerCity#HerStreets Project in partnership with UN-Habitat’s HerCity Project.
This past weekend we celebrated their commitment to improving their city and daring to dream up and redesign Dunga and Dundori Roads near The GoDown. They said they wanted pedestrian walkways, cycling lanes, street furniture, safe crossing and access for people with disabilities, more greenery, space for business and more amenities among other recommendations.
During the Community Baraza, they got to see the conceptual designs arising from their ideas and vision and receive their certificates of participation. This is a significant milestone.
We celebrate the girls and women for staying the course!
Hongera to all our partners and stakeholders who have walked with us to bring the vision for new, inclusive, fit-for-purpose streets one step closer to reality!
The GoDown hosted the Embassy of Sweden’s Deputy Head of Mission, Helge Flärd to advance prior discussions on sustainable construction methods, specifically with regard to the GoDown Transformation Project, that is a vision for a scaled-up, green cultural complex. The Embassy’s Culture and Promotion Officer, Mutheu Mbondo, was also in attendance. They were received by Joy Mboya, The GoDown’s Executive Director.
Since its inception, The GoDown Transformation Project has explored the circular economy in materials use for construction, as part of sustainable urban development and building industry. A common interest central to the meeting with DHM Flärd was the possibility of a showcase timber construction to catalyze the promising developments in East Africa’s commercial wood value chain. Whether the new GoDown complex could integrate some of these exciting carbon neutral building directions, as successfully presented at the Woodlife Sweden Seminar organized by the Embassy in September 2021, was a key point for discussion.
Also attending the follow-on meeting was Johan Dahlberg, Head of Business Development for White Arkitekter in East Africa, and MK Mbugua who is The GoDown Transformation Project Coordinator.
At the Woodlife Sweden Seminar last year, The GoDown and Gaia Arkitekter (via video) made a presentation titled ‘What if’ to ‘It is” – Dreaming Together for Sustainable Urbanscapes’ while White Arkitekter’s showpiece all-timber construction – the Sara Cultural Centre, Skellefteå, Sweden – which boasts the achievement of being one of the world’s tallest timber buildings, was part of the Woodlife exhibition. The Seminar’s host Swedish Ambassador H.E. Caroline Vicini had invited key actors in the wood value chain including Principal Secretary Charles Hinga from the State Department of Housing and Urban Development, Julius Kamau of the Kenya Forest Service, and a wide array of stakeholders from architecture, urban design and commercial forestry, including the Gatsby Charitable Trust, BuildX Studio, Kenya Forestry Research Institute, UNHabitat, among others.
Above: The GoDown’s Executive Director, Joy Mboya, with Swedish Ambassador to Kenya, H.E. Caroline Vicini, and Deputy Head of Mission, Helge Flärd during the Woodlife Seminar in 2021.
The GoDown’s Executive Director, Joy Mboya, and GoDown Transformation Project Coordinator, MK Mbugua, at the industry launch of a Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) Prototype in Tatu City yesterday.
The year-long project by BuildX Studio has been exploring the use of mass timber as a net zero carbon solution for urban buildings in East Africa.
[Below: Joy Mboya with Johan Dahlberg of White Artkitekter, Nairobi office)
During COP 26 in Glasgow early in November, President Uhuru Kenyatta affirmed Kenya’s commitment to meet the goal of Net Zero Carbon by 2050.
The use of the technology could potentially catapult of the construction industry towards climate resilient, low carbon developments in line with Kenya’s National Climate Change Action Plan 2018-2022, and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
As part of our Transformation Project, The GoDown is committed to sustainable and inclusive processes as part of our philosophy as a vanguard cultural space. Exploration of the potential use of innovative technology in the development of the new GoDown Centre would be part of our efforts to reduce our organizational carbon footprint.
[L-R: MK Mbugua, Rehema Kabare of Women in Real Estate – WIRE, and Joy Mboya]
The GoDown Arts Centre participated in and endorsed the Medellin Declaration agreed at the Seventh World Urban Forum convened by UN Habitat in 2014.
During the Forum, we reaffirmed “our commitment to integrate urban equity into the development agenda, employing all means and resources available to ensure that cities are transformed into inclusive, safe, prosperous and harmonious spaces for all.”
The spirit of that affirmation continues to fuel The GoDown’s work – from our programs, our collaborations and engagements, to our transformation project – with the belief that equity is both a moral obligation and a central element of social justice, and part of transformative change. Equity is the foundation of sustainable urban development.
The GoDown HerCity HerStreets MethodKit Ideation Workshop which takes place tomorrow, Sunday October 24th, celebrates our community of young women who have participated in the project so far. They have given time and effort to explore the streets around the GoDown, making their observations about how they (and others) interact with the spaces along Dunga and Dundori Roads in Industrial Area.
The HerCity HerStreets project, which has been made possible by a vibrant partnership with UN Habitat, is an invaluable part of the GoDown’s transformation and is fittingly coming to a climax during Urban October and Nairobi Placemaking Week.
The 24th of October also happens to be UN Day, and we are reflecting on the numerous partnerships and collaborations, such as this one, which have played an important role in our work and impact in communities.
