SONGS FROM A FORGOTTEN PAST is an artist film exhibition programme curated by Tendai John Mutambu for the British Council and LUX, which explores themes of marginality, community, storytelling, world-building and reframing histories.

The SONGS FROM A FORGOTTEN PAST programme contains a curated compilation of three works, alongside associated installations. The flexible nature of the programme means that collaborating curators choose some or all of the works for their exhibition and can introduce other artworks as they wish.

‘How can we see the world from the perspective of the marginalised and stand by them in solidarity? Can marginalisation be undermined by reframing its representations? The works in SONGS FROM A FORGOTTEN PAST move beyond idealisation and romanticisation. Instead, they point towards the potential to write new narratives that critically recast old images, perspectives and tools of analysis. These works remind us that amongst the ruins of failed historical projects lies the potential for a vision of the future.’ – Tendai John Mutambu, curator

Collaborating partners and venues

 

CentroCentro, Madrid, Spain (25 February 2021 – 30 May 2021)

Exhibition Title: SONGS FROM A FORGOTTEN PAST

Artworks exhibited:

  • Ayo Akingbade, Street 66, 2018, 13 minutes (LUX)
  • John Akomfrah, The Silence, 2014, 17 minutes (British Council)
  • Duncan Campbell, Arbeit, 2011, 39 minutes (LUX)
  • Luke Fowler, Depositions, 2014, 24 minutes, 32 seconds (LUX)
  • Susan Hiller, The Last Silent Movie, 2007, 20 minutes, 41 seconds (British Council)
  • Samson Kambalu, I Take My Place in History, 28 seconds, I Take the Stairs to 1952, 56 seconds, Cathedral, 28 seconds, Superfly, 36 seconds, 2016 (British Council)
  • Rehana Zaman, I, I, I, I and I, 2013, 14 minutes, 25 seconds (LUX)

No public programme due to Covid-19.

 

Artspace Aotearoa, Auckland, New Zealand (15 December 2020 – 15 January 2021)

Exhibition Title: SONGS FROM A FORGOTTEN PAST

Artworks exhibited:

  • Ayo Akingbade, Street 66, 2018, 13 minutes (LUX)
  • Duncan Campbell, Arbeit, 2011, 39 minutes (LUX)
  • Susan Hiller, The Last Silent Movie, 2007, 20 minutes, 41 seconds (British Council)

No public programme due to Covid-19.

 

Instituto Tomie Ohtake, São Paulo, Brazil (21 January 2020 – 15 March 2020)

Exhibition Title: SONGS FROM A FORGOTTEN PAST: Works from the British Council, LUX and Videobrasil Collections

Curated by Luise Malmaceda. Producer: Paula Marujo.

‘Although the United Kingdom and Brazil’s social formations are largely distinct, their challenging histories still impact and resonate with today’s societies.’ - Luise Malmaceda, curator

Artworks exhibited:

  • Ayo Akingbade, Street 66, 2018, 13 minutes (LUX)
  • John Akomfrah, The Silence, 2014, 17 minutes (British Council)
  • Duncan Campbell, Arbeit, 2011, 39 minutes (LUX)
  • Ayrson Heráclito, Sacudimento Cleansing of the House of Slaves on Gorée Island, 2015, video installation, 8min38s (Videobrasil)
  • Ayrson Heráclito, Sacudimento Cleansing of the Garcia D’Avila Castle, 2015, video installation, 8min32s (Videobrasil)
  • Susan Hiller, The Last Silent Movie, 2007, 20 minutes, 41 seconds (British Council)
  • Clara Ianni, Free Form, 2013, video, 7min14s (Videobrasil)
  • Dilma Lóes, When Blacks Dance, 1988, video, 30min (Videobrasil)
  • Rosângela Rennó, Vera Cruz, 2000, video, 44min (Videobrasil)

Public programme:

  • Visitor tours on Wednesdays and Fridays
  • Panel discussion with Ayo Akingbade and Ayrson Heráclito
  • Masterclass: What is the Political? - with Ayo Akingbade
  • Workshop: 'O audiovisual em zonas de conflito' with Eliane Caffe 

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SONGS FROM A FORGOTTEN PAST is part of WE ARE HERE: Artists’ Moving Image from the British Council Collection and LUX – a series of five artists’ film programmes curated by Tendai John Mutambu for the British Council and LUX, an international arts agency that supports and promotes artists’ moving image practices.

Each programme is curated around a theme: national identity, marginality, intimacy, the future and the archive.

WE ARE HERE interrogates how outstanding emerging and established British or UK-based contemporary artists are influenced by these themes and how they explore them through biography, documentary, poetry and fiction.

Installation Images

  • Ayo Akingbade, Street 66, 2018
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