Acclaimed multi-disciplinary As part of the Heritage Month celebrations, Zimbabwean artist and activist Kudzanai Chiurai examines racism, the civil rights movement, and the ongoing fight for independence in “We Still Insist.”
The art film “We Still Insist” will be followed by a performance by “The Library of Things We Forgot to Remember and What’s Wrong With Groovin’?” at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg tonight at 7pm.
“The Library of Things We Forgot to Remember and What’s Wrong With Groovin’?” is a reworking of Max Roach’s 1961 avant-garde jazz record “We Still Insist” and a vocal-instrumental suite on Civil Rights Movement-related themes.
The record was seen as extremely contentious and was even banned in certain nations.
Chiurai said IOL Entertainment that “We still insist” represented unity, resistance, and cooperation.
It is a presentation of a visual and auditory archival installation that addresses the history of oppression, resistance, and freedom in Africa throughout the second half of the 20th century.
“What’s wrong with ‘What’s Wrong With Groovin’?’ Our current is still influenced by our colonial past.
It symbolizes the traditions of resistance, solidarity, and cooperation that characterize the album We Insist, Freedom Now Suite.
Photographs from the movie “We Still Insist.” Picture: Supplied
Chiurai also explained that he had been working on the album for several years.
This one is intriguing because it cites a 1960s record, events, and other sources.
Additionally, it is a reflection of that particular moment… Some African countries were gaining independence, and in the United States, the civil rights movement and bloodbath boycotts reflected and resisted racial legislation and dispositions.
And I believe these were worldwide experiences, not just unique to the United States.
The video will be accompanied by a live performance by Tumi Mogorosi, a South African percussionist, artist, and activist.
Mogorosi and The Freedom Now Suite will reimagine this exceptional record, which featured variants on the theme of African-Americans’ fight for equality in the United States.
“The partnership with Tumi has existed since we met a few years ago, and I believe it was vital to wait for the proper time to begin working together.
“We share a common interest in resistance and solidarity. And these are the concepts we share in our own approaches, which is what brought us together.”
Chiurai encourages art and music enthusiasts to take part in this unique event that honors the diverse cultures of Africa.
“The album that we are referencing was produced in the United States, the archives that are a part of the film are from Guinea-Bissau, Angola, Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, and our film’s setting is Pan-African; therefore, the project is more transnational and a portion of these collaborations reflect an international perspective. Therefore, the event is accessible to everyone.”
Today at 7pm, “We Still Insist” takes place at Constitution Hill in Braamfontein.
Tickets are available from Quicket at R400.