Bodies of Knowledge Goes on Show at SOMETHING Art Space

As an admirer of our 2022 project, Bodies of Knowledge, we were delighted when Anna-Alix Koffi, director of SOMETHING art space, proposed the idea of housing the cinematic project as an exhibition at her contemporary non-for-profit cultural art space, located in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. We spoke to Koffi about why she wanted to house the online project as a physical exhibition and what the work, in its entirety, means to her.

SHOWstudio: What is the aim of your gallery SOMETHING?

Anna-Alix Koffi: SOMETHING is a non-profit art space dedicated to promoting critical thinking, video and digital art. After nearly a decade of publishing on the medium, I wanted to continue my 'mission' of sharing and raising awareness within the realms of physical space. The art centre is located in Blockhauss, a very dynamic and non-gentrified area of ​​Abidjan. I can see how, at first glance, the area could be interpreted as not being widely suitable for introducing such cutting-edge mediums. Located at the crossroads of the meeting points of working-class areas, the establishment and the cool kids, on the contrary, it turns out to be the perfect spot.

SHOWstudio: How did you come across our Bodies of Knowledge Project?

Alix Forshort: Through Instagram, I have been following SHOWstudio's account and many of the participating artists for a while.

Ss: What is it about this project that speaks to you? What made you want to exhibit it in your gallery?

AAK: To put it bluntly, I simply love video art. From ultra minimalist film to very technical work, the endless bouts of creative opportunity possible within a film format transport me wherever the artist wishes to take me. Emma Dabiri's work is impressive, I find the association unexpected and the result so necessary. I wanted to share in this sum of all knowledge as this project corresponds exactly with the principles that motivated me to open SOMETHING. I am delighted that SOMETHING will become the project's first physical stage.

Ss: Do you have a favourite film in the Bodies of Knowledge project?

AAK: At least two. But I won't give a title … one of them is in black and white, but that's all I'll say. More seriously, as a whole, it gives a unique impression and strength, like watching a HAKA; you don't remember one player but the whole ensemble. I also adored all the films that were shot on the continent, especially in their artistic and folklore-inspired works - these often were filmed in places that are unfairly overlooked and it was important to have that representation.

Ss: Why are your thoughts on the medium of film for self expression?

AAK: To me, film is perhaps the most complete medium for an artist. We imagine it, or we dream it, we write it, we bring it to life. It is rarely solitary work, so we communicate with other creative forces, and at some point this self-expression becomes collective.

SOMETHING art space is dedicated to video art, digital art and education via conferences, masterclasses and workshops. It’s a space for reflection, discussion and exploration of cultural links between the different African countries and the rest of the world; a space for meetings of different artists and practices.

The space is located in the Blockhauss district of Abidjan.

Exhibition opens to the public 7 November until 10 December, 2023.

Open Tuesday - Saturday from 12:00 - 19:00.

Entrance is free.