Archive Research

This project deals with the topic "archive" from multiple perspectives. Practice, knowledge, documentation, memory, updating, critical reflection and performance are essential keywords.
Here, the co-producers pursue different interests: The South African online archive Konka Kontinent, founded by the composer Monthati Masebe, wants to expand its archive holdings and, in a process of knowledge transfer (as a form of de- colonization), pass this knowledge on to the musicians of the ensemble. The contemporary music ensemble Recherche wants to sift through its own archive, question its exclusivity, and diversify the archive through new compositions. The Boston-based ensemble Castle of Our Skins, as a cultural institution dedicated to celebrating Black artistry through music, brings a diasporic perspective to the discussion of the concept of the archive.
The three partner institutions should mutually enrich each other.

Konka Kontinent: Johannesburg/ Direction | Ensemble Recherche: Freiburg / Coproducer | Castle of Our Skins: Boston/ Coproducer | Monthati Zenzile Masebe: Johannesburg / Composer | AJ Villanueva: Manila / Composer | Sara Stevanovic: Belgrad/ Composer | Kira Henkel: Hamburg/ musicologist