Indigo Waves and Other Stories

About the Exhibition

Indigo Waves and Other Stories: Re-Navigating the Afrasian Sea and Notions of Diaspora brings together works by several contemporary artists, filmmakers, musicians, writers and researchers. Combining new commissions with existing projects, the exhibition traces links between the Asian and African regions, manifesting overlays and diasporic transfers between two areas of increased global political, economic and cultural importance in the 21st century. The Indian Ocean emerges as a communal horizon that reveals shades of cultural, linguistic, political and historical passage from ancient times to the present. The exhibition takes us from ancient routes of transregional exploration, trade and seasonal migration up through contemporary afroasiatic exchanges, from languages, sounds, waters, economies, philosophies and more.

The exhibition consists of two parts that have been composed in resonance, showing concurrently at the Gropius Bau and  SAVVY Contemporary in Berlin. While moving between these venues, visitors can experience fluid associations that open up like the tug and swell of tides. The exhibition is accompanied by a public programme across the two exhibition venues.

With works by Kelani Abass, Malala Andrialavidrazana, Shiraz Bayjoo, Rossella Biscotti, M'barek Bouhchichi, Nikhil Chopra, Dhow Countries Music Academy, Tishani Doshi, Köken Ergun and Fetra Danu, Adama Delphine Fawundu, Haji Gora Haji, Kudzanai-Violet Hwami und Belinda Zhawi, Clara Jo, Jasmine Nilani Joseph, John Njenga Karugia, Jeewi Lee, Lavanya Mani, Oscar Murillo, Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor, Dominic Sansoni, Sim Chi Yin, Jennifer Tee, Jack Beng-Thi, Abdourahman A. Waberi

Curated by Natasha Ginwala and Bonaventure Soh Bejeng Ndikung with Michelangelo Corsaro

In partnership with SAVVY Contemporary, Berlin; Zeitz MOCAA, Cape Town; Vasl Artists’ Association, Karachi and BLAK C.O.R.E. (Care of Radical Energy), University of Melbourne

To the exhibition imprint