Libita Clayton's Quantum Ghost

A few photos from Libita Clayton's art exhibition opening last Friday at the Spike Island Gallery in Bristol.

Quantum Ghost is a commission by Bristol-based artist and Spike Island studio holder Libita Clayton. 

"Comprising an immersive sound installation, a series of large-scale photograms and a programme of live performances, Quantum Ghost maps a journey through archives and territories related to the artist’s heritage," the gallery wrote.

"Digging deep into personal documents and oral histories, the exhibition unearths the subterranean histories and political undercurrents connecting the mining regions of Namibia and Cornwall. From mined ores and sedimentary rocks to precious metals and rare earths, it examines the raw materials at the core of capitalist extraction, revealing how the echoes of colonialism and diasporic migration reverberate through the deep-time of geology."

Libita Clayton is a British-Namibian artist who works across sound and performance. 

She also organises workshops and discursive events developed in partnership with DIY organisations, broadcasters and publishers. 

Recent exhibitions and performances include: Quantum Ghost, Gasworks, London (2019); 4717, RCA/LUX, Dyson Gallery, Royal College of Art, London; Memento Mori, Kalashnikovv 3.0, Johannesburg (all 2018); DEBUNK, Arnolfini, Bristol; History Lessons: Fluid Records, South London Gallery/Iniva, London; Going Along Without a Body, Iklectik, London; Lexis Over Land—Towards a Feminist Geography, Tremenheere Sculpture Gallery, Cornwall (all 2017). Her work was included in the Diaspora Pavilion at the 57th Venice Biennale, 2017.

Performance:

A spoken word performance inviting guests into the exhibition, written by Libita Clayton and performed by artist and curator Imani Robinson.

More words on her work soon! 

XR Bristol: Project Mushroom

A message from Extinction Rebellion in Bristol... Something to keep an eye on:

🍄 Project Mushroom Update: 🌞 The Summer Uprising Begins July 15

Dear Rebels,

Starting 15 July, join us in Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds or London for the next phase of the rebellion: Summer Uprising!

To organise effectively we need to know that we can count on YOU.

Please sign up using the Action Network Form:

>>> https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-up-for-operation-mushroom-15th-19th-july

In the spring we occupied five sites in London during the International Rebellion. A climate emergency declaration by Parliament swiftly followed. Yet national and local governments are acting with neither the seriousness or urgency required by the need for climate justice. Instead, they are making weak commitments, encouraging ecologically damaging projects and taxing sustainable alternatives.

Britain’s own food security is at risk whilst marginalised communities within the UK are already paying the consequences and widespread water shortages, famine, extreme weather and conflicts caused by dwindling resources are becoming commonplace in the Global South.

On which side of history will politicians stand? 

We demand Government must ACT NOW to halt biodiversity loss and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025.

So this summer we will disrupt central locations in five cities across the UK. Each site will take independent action, for different amounts of time, but our demand of government and councils is the same: ACT NOW!

You are invited to join us at your nearest site. Please check with Extinction Rebellion UK and site-specific social media for plans. However, civil disobedience, family-friendly spaces, love, music and an object of significance are guaranteed at all locations.

Find everything you need to know and please select ‘Going / Interested’ on the Facebook event HERE: 

>>> https://www.facebook.com/events/505673473590892/

Then share it on your feed to spread the word, and, more importantly, tell your family, friends and colleagues.

See you in the streets. 

Love and rage!

St Paul's carnival – in pictures

Bristol celebrated its diversity and Caribbean history and culture at St Paul's carnival, on 6 July.

The Carnival was created in 1968 in St Pauls by the members of the community, arrived in the area from the 1950s. It is running for the 51st year.

It has been a hotbed for Bristol's sound system culture since the 1970s, especially in and around pubs like the Star and Garter, with a boom in the early 1980s that led to the music scene we know today.

Morning: Brunch time for the member of St Paul's community at the Malcolm X Community Centre:

The programme:

Main stage in from of St Paul's Learning Centre: Windrush Stage

One of the 7 murals representing the Seven Saints of St Pauls, at the corner of City Road:

Front of the procession:

DJs and bands came to perform, including local legend Talisman:

Iconic mural painted by local graffiti artist Inkie:

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What a marvellous day!

Here is a short video summarising:

Lifetrack Event in Bristol: Let's share Music and Stories together

 On my second night in Bristol, I had the luck to be invited to be the main guest in a special form of events: Lifetrack.

Based on the idea of the Radio 4 show 'Desert Island Disc', the idea is to share a list of track that made music special in the guest's life in order to interact with the audience.

This 4th of July, the evening took place in the Richmond Building of University of Bristol on Queen's Road.

Details:

Author of the book ‘Massive Attack – Out of the Comfort Zone’, Melissa Chemam will be our guest on 4th July. With a background in journalism and broadcasting, Melissa has travelled extensively and writes mainly on social issues. 

Her book follows the journey of the band Massive Attack into art, music and social discourse. It retraces how the history of Bristol shaped their unique sound and how the emergence of the band helped the city’s entire underground scene to arise.


Thanks to Polly Barnes, Maggie Ayre and Alison Vowles for organising such a lovely night!

Here are some photos:

Photos by Jon Craig 

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Here are the 5 tracks (among the many I wanted to put in) that made my list:

Massive Attack - 'Karmacoma' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vi76bxT7K6U

The Beatles - Eleanor Rigby https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuS5NuXRb5Y

Michael Jackson - Ain't No Sunshine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXQMrhu7eIU

Owiny Sigoma Band - Harpoon Land https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-j37zk4Mddo

 She Makes War - Stargazing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTKLKb1S0Io

The audience picked:

'Angel' by Massive Attack 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbe3CQamF8k&fbclid=IwAR0iZe1o1rRy4yv-Dzuo1DZb5F-mj0n2gNkG4ODB0Yn6VJl5kGWlj9-2dso

'Protection' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Epgo8ixX6Wo

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Website:

https://www.lifetrackevents.com/book

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About the book:

Author Melissa Chemam's book is an in-depth study of the influences that led to the formation of the Wild Bunch and then Massive Attack. It looks into Bristol's past to explore how the city helped shape one of the most successful and innovative musical movements of the last 30 years. 

It goes from the wealth of the Transatlantic Trade to our days, mentioning the revolutionary bands involved in the punk movement and in Bristol's reggae scene, when the band members were young teenagers, avid for culture, change and creativity.

Melissa Chemam gives a unique insight into the creative endeavours of Massive Attack - formed by 3D, Daddy G and Mushroom. She describes their influences, collaborations and politics, as well as how they opened the door for other musicians and artists in Bristol, from Tricky to Portishead, Inkie and Banksy. 

Link:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Massive-Attack-Out-Comfort-Zone/dp/1910089729

Africa Writes: Zambia seen through the eyes of a mosquito...

I arrived in Bristol a few days ago but I've been too busy to post here.

It feels like every moment is relevant, sincere and a sort of important lesson at the same time!!

I'm writing - working on two books now, reporting - a few radio pieces and articles in the making, and meeting a lot of interesting people.

Step one was the literary festival Africa Writes.
On Thursday I was at the event hosting Zambian American writer Namwali Serpell, author of a first novel inspired by Zambian history and especially the colonial period and the more recent space programme:

She was discussing with Kenyan lecturer and writer Billy Kahora, who also gave a highly interesting writing workshop last Saturday.

Zambia seen through the eyes of a mosquito...

Zambia’s space programme could be read as a satirical political mockery of colonial invasion of Africa,  Namwali thought while doing her research for her novel ‘The Old Drift’.

"It's a story with magical characters... and so much historical research for the realist details," Billy Kahora said.

It's also a "love triangle between three children", and a "racist British man in Africa", said Namwali, "with strong voices", added Billy Kahora about her debut novel.

‘The Old Drift’ is the name a colonial settlement by the Zambia river, that David Livingstone claimed to have discovered...

Billy introduced her at Waterstones Bristol, as part of Africa Writes, partnered by the  Festival of Ideas  and the Royal African Society:

Namwali read the first pages:

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'The Old Drift' by Namwali Serpell can be found here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Old-Drift-Namwali-Serpell/dp/1781090491/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=%27The+Old+Drift%27+by+Namwali+Serpell&qid=1562499201&s=books&sr=1-1

ITV interview with a man introducing himself as Banksy... in 2003

Would you forget you have interviewed Banksy??

This journalist from ITV News apparently did :) 

ITV News has uncovered what experts say could be the only televised interview with the secretive Bristol artist Banksy. The recording, from 2003, is the only-known time he has spoken on camera, and was found in the tape vaults of ITV News. But is it the elusive graffiti artist known around the world for 'Girl with the Balloon', 'The mild, mild west', and lately Stormzy's outfit at Glastonbury.