Globalisto: A philosophy in flux

An African proverb, recounted by the Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe, states: “Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter”.

As the world continues to hint at decolonising, a new philosophy is emerging inspired by post apartheid transitionalism and by the humanistic principles of Botho which are based on the South African culture of respect. The Globalisto philosophy is a call to radical hospitality, openness to unlearn, and the idea of a borderless world. How does a remix of Negritude, Tigritude, “be attitude” and Black speculative theory sound? How can we look at the world from a pan-African perspective in order to deconstruct stereotypes and invent an alternative vision? How can we change the narrative by proposing transformation, inclusion and gratitude. Rather than cancel culture, how can we create a counsel culture?

Globalisto. A Philosophy in Flux invites inter generational artists who invent new worlds, question the status quo of the current modality, critique power systems, biopolitics and multidimensional exploitation of resources. They are activists, philosophers, change-makers, or storytellers and poets interconnecting Africa and its diasporas. They are from, or live in, Cameroon, Egypt, Gabon, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, but also Europe, the Caribbean, or the USA. They or their ancestors arrive in new spaces carrying their histories, translating their mobilities into liberating dissent and healing. Their experimentations with materials and ideas are made manifest in works as diverse as films and videos, textiles, paintings, installations, but also ceramics, sound, photography, sculpture as well as performances. This exhibition also make reference to the West African art collection at MAMC+ and include documentation, such as the famous Drum magazine, which has been published in several African countries since the 1950s.

Opening with Song of the Pick (1947), the iconic painting of a South African township during apartheid by Gerard Sekoto, an exceptional loan coming from South Africa, this immersive exhibition promises to challenge preconceptions and invent a new vision.

With works by Jamika Ajalon, Sammy Baloji, Raphaël Barontini, Marie Aimée Fattouche, Sam Gilliam, Porky Hefer, Lubaina Himid, Arthur Jafa, Euridice Zaituna Kala, Samson Kambalu, Moshekwa Langa, Elsa M’Bala, Myriam Mihindou, Wilfried Nakeu, Otobong Nkanga, Josèfa Ntjam, Sara Sadik, Dread Scott et Gerard Sekoto.

And curated by Mo Laudi (Ntshepe Tsekere Bopape), a multidisciplinary artist, composer, DJ and producer, known for his contributions to Afro-electronic music. A researcher at the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa, Mo Laudi experiments with sound as a material. His artistic practice explores philosophies inspired by African knowledge systems, Black speculative movements and post-apartheid transitionalism in relation to a socio-political critique of society. His installations have been commissioned for exhibitions such as Ernest Mancoba. I Shall Dance in a Different Society, Centre Pompidou, Paris (2019), Johari Brass-Band by Sammy Baloji at the Grand Palais, Paris (2020), Sonsbeek 20-24, Arnhem, Fondation Kadist, Paris (2021), Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum in Cologne and Dakar Biennale (2022).

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