La Sape and Other Local Imaginaries in Kinshasa

On May 12-13, 2022, Afterall hosted a series of lectures and presentations titled 'La Sape and Other Local Imaginaries in Kinshasa.' This event showcased the work of artists, designers, and writers from Kinshasa, delving into contemporary art, fashion, and literature amid rapid technological and economic shifts. Prisca Tankwey examined the Sape, questioning its classification as performance art. Cedrick Nzolo introduced the mvuata-mable from the Congo Design Arts (CDA) Project, blending textile, furniture design, fashion, and architecture. Sinzo Aanza unveiled his Improbable Memorial, connecting Congolese victims to the colonial exploitation tied to the global mobile phone industry. Ribio Nzeza Bunketi Buse, an assistant professor at the Catholic University of Congo, explored the interplay of digital content, print cartoons, and viral media in the DRC. The event concluded with a discussion featuring Tankwey, Nzolo, Aanza, Buse, Judith Clark, Charlotte Delacour, Adeena Mey, and Mick.