What does it mean to be an ambassador of East African heritage in Europe and how does it benefit the community? My work in the community has highlighted a thirst for togetherness and connection. In our metropoles we are close to each other physically yet we are also so distant from one another.
My experience in facilitating workshops in East Africa has been very different from what I have found in Europe. For instance in Kenya, I did not need to think much about structuring the workshops as such. It came naturally and spontaneously. On the other hand, in Europe there is much need to break the ice and make people comfortable and safe before they can get involved. I feel fear which slowly dissipates and allows for their participation and beautiful artistic experience to begin.
Image © A. Akinyi Aurore
I see their eyes light up and positive energy run through. Each workshop is different and bears different energy however in each one of them I see a transformation. There is something magic that happens through the vector or making music and dance or making instruments together. For instance when I mention that a certain fabric has a significance in my country, they stop and reflect. It is also seen when inspiration is triggered when it is mentioned that we can make an instrument with recycled bottle caps and coat hanger wires.
In my instrument making workshops I can see how we, humans, are missing the practice of making something from our own hands and how rewarding it is to get involved in such workshops for participants who might be enthralled in the virtual environment of social media or video games.
We have so much information at our fingertips. We live in a world of “fast food” knowledge. We binge on knowledge and want to have results straight away. Community workshops such as those I run, allow people to pause and be present while accepting the process of making art together.
Image © A. Akinyi Aurore
One could argue that the art I create is much more suited to organic face to face experience than in the virtual spaces. When I meet people I truly see what impact art and my heritage can have on the community. What is the future of art and culture in a world which is becoming so reliant on virtual reality, virtual validation and artificial intelligence?
To find out more about Rapasa Nyatrapasa Otieno's work click here