Invisible Borders: Hopes and Impediments

Hopes and Impediments features works by Invisible Borders Trans-African Project, the collective of road-tripping artists and writers. With every trip they cross dozens of borders, creating new works and forging connections across national boundaries. Stories of their journeys are told through vibrant photographs, video, blog posts and writings in the newly renovated Prince Claus Fund Gallery. Starting always from Lagos, and with a changing group of participants each time, Invisible Borders has made five journeys to: Bamako (2009), Dakar (2010), Addis Ababa (2011), Libreville (2012) and Sarajevo (2014).Their motive is not the spectacular, not the exotic, not the sensational, but rather the day-to-day, quiet moments, what many see as the banal, the unspectacular, the ordinary. The group shares their experiences via social media, and collaborate with local artists and arts institutions, to hold workshops, give talks and mount exhibitions. Invisible Borders opens up perceptions of what Africa is and what it means to be a young, on-the-go African today. Want to catch Invisible Borders on the road to Sarajevo? Experience real-time photographs, blog posts and video diaries via Invisible Borders' Facebook, Twitter, or Road Trip App. Hopes and Impediments features works by founder and leading member of Invisible Borders Emeka Okereke, Uche Okpa Iroha, Kemi Akin-Nibosun, Lucy Azubuike, Ala Kheir, Jumoke Sanwo, Jide Odukoya, Chriss Aghana Nwobu and Ray Daniels Okeugo (1980–2013). The exhibition is curated by Akinbode Akinbiyi (photographer, writer, and curator). “The fiction which imaginative literature offers us ... does not enslave; it liberates the mind of man ... It begins as an adventure in self-discovery and ends in wisdom and human conscience." - Chinua Achebe, Hopes and Impediments (1990) EVENTS: Unseen Photo Fair – Thursday 18 September Westerpark, Amsterdam 16.00 – 20.00 Invisible Borders celebrates their arrival in Amsterdam at Unseen Photo Fair sharing stories from the road! 17.30 - 18.30 Presentation of the Prince Claus Fund PhotoBox, a limited edition of eight works by world-renowned photographers from the Fund’s network. With Emeka Okereke (Invisible Borders), 2013 Prince Claus Laureate Zanele Muholi, and Marieke Sanders ten-Holte (chair of the Prince Claus Fund PhotoBox committee). RSVP by 12 September via fundraising@princeclausfund.nl. Prince Claus Fund Gallery Opening Friday 19 September 2014 , 17.30– 21.00 Herengracht 603, Amsterdam Artists are present. Please RSVP by clicking here. The Prince Claus Fund Gallery brings exceptional artists and cultural innovators from around the globe to the Netherlands. The gallery hosts debates, performances and exhibitions with artists of all disciplines offering a new perspective on the world. Become a part of the Fund’s global network and visit us at the Prince Claus Fund Gallery! princeclausfund.org