Within the framework of Elective Affinities, a collaborative program of documenta 14 and the Athens School of Fine Arts (ASFA), we invite you to a public presentation by artist Akinbode Akinbiyi. In the talk, the artist discusses examples of his work and the parallels between his personal biography and the development of his engagement with photography.
Akinbode Akinbiyi was born in Great Britain and grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, at a time when Britain was still a so-called “world power.” Examining the complexity of this structure from his personal position, he says: “We were brought up to be second-class and third-class citizens in the order of things, but there were many of us who completely refused to adhere to this line of thinking. Being black and self-aware was in itself subversive and ran completely counter to the system. This was and still is a continuous process, a growing up and out, a working towards a viable and humane way of being and living. In many ways, being an artist is an extreme privilege, especially in the so-called Global South. We sing, dance, write, and visualize on the sharp precipices of so many cutting edges—acutely aware at all times of the danger of being sliced apart or falling into the abyss, a seemingly never-ending free fall.”
The presentation is in English and is open to the public. Due to limited seating, the audience is encouraged to arrive early.
Atenas (Grecia)
