Presentation of the online publication “Future Memories”, lecture and discussion about art, public space and cultures of memory at ifa-Galerie Berlin

How is the memory of history expressed in the public space of African cities? What role does art play in processes of urban transformation? These are the questions addressed in the online publication “Future Memories” , which ifa (Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen) will be presenting at the ifa Gallery Berlin on 23 April. At stake is the need for a specific African debate on globalisation, urbanisation, and structures of power. This publication in three languages includes contributions from Cameroon, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Germany, Kenia, Senegal and South Africa. The publication is based on a conference of the same name that was held in Addis Ababa in September 2014.

The evening will include a lecture entitled “Between History and Apocalypse: Stumbling.”, by Premesh Lalu, professor of history and director of the Center for Humanities Research at the University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa. He will look at issues including apartheid, post-apartheid and the role of technology. The lecture will be followed by a discussion moderated by the co-editor of the online publication Marie-Hélène Gutberlet.

“Future Memories”, the conference that kicked off this publication was held in Addis Ababa and jointly organized by ifa, the Alle School of Fine Arts and Design in Addis Ababa and the German Foreign Office. The conference produced numerous texts and contributions that are now collected in this publication in three languages. It also accompanied the selection of a work of art for new African Union Peace and Security building in Addis Ababa. The jury decided on a work by the Nigerian sound artist Emeka Ogboh, who will also be present at this year’s Venice Biennale. The building is a gift of the Federal Republic of Germany to the African Union.

The online publication Future Memories is published by Elke aus dem Moore, ifa and Berhanu Ashagrie Deribew, Alle School of Fine Arts and Design, Addis Ababa University in tandem with the curator Marie-Hélène Gutberlet as editor-in-chief.

Future Memories II – Presentation of the Online Publication

Welcome by Irmgard Maria Fellner, Head of the Unit of Culture- and Media Relations at the Federal Foreign Office and Elke aus dem Moore, Head of the Arts Department, Institute for International Cultural Relations, ifa

Lecture: “Between History and Apocalypse: Stumbling” by Premesh Lalu.

Followed by a discussion with the co-editor, film expert, author and freelance curator Marie-Hélène Gutberlet

Entrance is free. Prior registration is not required. The evening will be held in English.

Thursday, 23 April 2015 at 7 pm

ifa-Galerie Berlin,
Linienstraße 139/140,
10115 Berlin,
Tel. 030.28449140

www.ifa.de
www.future-memories.org