Godelive Kasangati Kabena: You must use the Tomato

In her filmic work You must use the Tomato, Opera Village Residency artist Godelive Kasangati Kabena explores the relationship between objects and their value from a socio-economic perspective. The central statement, “You must use the tomato,” refers to a method that works with seemingly empty objects, revealing their meaning only through a specific action.

In this case, the tomato in the can serves as a symbol for things that initially appear worthless. The can must first be emptied to unfold its true value. This is done through the act of emptying, which simultaneously serves as a metaphor for the unfolding of meaning and value within a social and economic context. The process of obtaining coins by emptying the can illustrates how seemingly worthless things can find their place within a system through purposeful use and transformation.

Godelive’s work invites us to question our perception of value and emphasizes that the worth of objects often becomes visible only within context and through the way they are used. It is a critical reflection on the materiality and economic context of things in our society.

This year’s Artist-in-Residence program is funded by: