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This year’s Artist-in-Residence program is supported by:<\/p>\nAs part of her residency project at the Opera Village, artist Godelive Kasangati Kabena deeply engages with the significance of archival images and their inherent anachronism \u2014 their unique ability to influence the present from the past. Her work transcends mere documentation, transforming archival images into dynamic, ever-changing entities. For Kabena, these images are not static but flexible, capable of being continually reinterpreted depending on context and perspective.<\/p>\n
A central theme in Kabena\u2019s work is the exploration of the body, particularly through the Basenji dog, a breed originating from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Kabena views the Basenji as an “autonomous body” that resists preconceived notions of identity, origin, or function. Her encounter with the Basenji between 2019 and 2020 inspired her to investigate the relationships surrounding this dog breed by combining both documentary and fictional approaches. In her examination of the dog as a form that moves beyond conventional relations, she raises a critical question: What happens when an image becomes part of a complex visual system that serves not only as a document but as a tool for creating a speculative archive?<\/p>\n
For Kabena, archival images are more than static records \u2014 they are living entities shaped by their context. Her work focuses in particular on colonial-era photographs, taken during the period when modernity began to establish itself in the DR Congo and mechanical systems were introduced to extract raw materials. For Kabena, reproducing these images provides an opportunity to explore the dynamics of imagery and further question the notions of “autonomy” and “form.” The Basenji dog becomes a constantly evolving image, opening new meanings and perspectives with each iteration.<\/p>\n
A key aspect of Kabena\u2019s work is the physical presence of the Basenji dog, particularly its unique bodily features, such as its tightly curled tail and the pheromones emitted by the female dog. She has incorporated these characteristics into her aluminum works, prompting reflections on the dog\u2019s sexuality and its inherent ambiguity. These pieces navigate between form and formlessness, challenging conventional perceptions of the dog\u2019s corporeality and opening new perspectives on physicality.<\/p>\n
Kabena\u2019s practice has been enriched by her close collaboration with various artists and artisans \u2014 including No\u00ebl Koutaba, Hermane Koutaba, Moumouni Zerbo, Kafanda Issa, and Emmanuel Ahenkan Yeboah. These creative partnerships are reflected in the diverse processes behind her work, in which she explores the boundaries between art, craft, and theory.<\/p>\n
Another important approach in Kabena\u2019s work involves studying the form and shape of the Basenji dog through archival photographs. This exploration has created a space where form and shape are not only central themes but integral parts of the production process. Within the context of her project at Opera Village, Kabena has created objects inspired by specific features of the Basenji dog, intended as toys for children. These objects open new perspectives on form and function, challenging conventional ideas and expectations.<\/p>\n
Godelive Kasangati Kabena\u2019s project \u201cMbwa: Now Mine\u201d is a multi-layered engagement with archival images, the physicality of the Basenji dog, and questions of identity, autonomy, and representation. Her work challenges the static nature of images and forms by placing them within a dynamic, speculative context that allows for new meanings and interpretations to emerge.<\/p>\n
Through her intensive collaboration with local artists and artisans, and her ongoing exploration of materials and forms, Kabena creates a creative space where speculative and documentary approaches intertwine. The works that emerge from this process invite viewers to reflect on the significance of bodies, images, and forms, and to explore new possibilities for artistic expression.<\/p>\n
Photos: \u00a9 Godelive Kasangati Kabena<\/p>\n
This year’s Artist-in-Residence program is supported by:<\/p>\n
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