Because whilst these are undoubtedly global issues, it is arguable that they emanate from a specific space which is affluent, educated and not in Kenya. 

 

How is the discourse surrounding sustainability is performed in Kenya? My idea was to set up a kind of studio in which representatives from organisations spoke about the way their organisation is working in this field. This is already a performative situation. They were fully branded in their organisations logos (t shirt, caps etc). However, I introduced a fictional dimension by mixing these real representatives with professional actors representing fictional organisations. They were similarly branded in imaginary logos of the fictional organisation.

 

 

SUSTAINABILITY; A CONCEPT I BELIEVE IN, A WORD I DON'T TRUST

 

Sustainability. A concept I genuinely believe in, but a word I do not trust. A word that seems to have lost currency, the more that it is used. Perhaps my cynical nature has been accentuated by the context within which I live. A context in which the language and discourse of 'Development' and 'Aid' is powerful. A context in which people speak in capitalised issues. Water and Sanitation, Gender Mainstreaming, HIV/AIDS. Of course these issues are of critical importance, but they seem to have gained a holy status that cannot be questioned. Their importance is performed daily, in NGO offices across the city. 

 

To me, in this context, issues of sustainability and our relationship with the environment have a reference to a certain relationship between North and South, Underdeveloped and Overdeveloped, Rich and Poor. 

 

2012

TOGETHER WITH: AL HAZIRA, CHOCOLATE CITY TOURS, FORMADA, GREEN THUMBS, JOBLESS CORNER CAMPUS, LOOS FOR LIFE, SIMAMA PAMOJA INITIATIVE, SPARK AFRICA, SUSTAIN (REPRESENTATIVES AND PERFORMERS), XMEDIA (PRODUCTION), SOPHIA BAUER (ASSISTANT) MEDIUM: LIVESTREAM PERFORMANCE, C-PRINTS CONTEXT: UEBERLEBENSKUNST SUPPORTED BY: UEBERLEBENSKUNST FESTIVAL AT THE HAUS DER KULTUREN DER WELT, GOETHE INSTITUT NAIROBI YEAR: 2011

 

2011

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