Kinzonzi 2.0 is a three-day online program by Laboratoire Kontempo. It presents artistic videos, artist talks, radio and conferences. The emphasis is on an exchange between local perspectives of Kinshasa, and international artistic trends. These topics include stereotypes in the representation and perception of the Congolese art scene, (post) colonial realities and their power dynamics, and linguistic, intellectual and epistemic hierarchies. The term “Kinzonzi” is interpreted according to the current popular culture of Kinshasa in the sense of a secret agreement, a space of interactions necessary to question the imaginary, the foundation of our futures and our contemporary realities.

17:00 – 17:30
Introduction, Screening of the Documentary of the exhibition in Kinshasa

17:30 – 18:00
Kontempo: contemporary perspectives from Kinshasa
→ Introduction to the project and round table discussion
Moderated by Jean Kamba, Guests: Sinzo Aanza, Mega Mingiedi, Mukenge/Schellhammer, Prisca Tankwey

18:00 – 18:30
Vernissage live from Kinshasa and Akademie Schloss Solitude

18:30 – 19:00
Radio Kinzonzi – Sound collage, extracts from the project in Kinshasa by artists Orakle Ngoy, Jasmina Al-Qaisi and Ralf Wendt, the participants and friends of Laboratoire Kontempo

17:00 – 18:00
Media and representation of the Congolese art scene
→ Screening of the film” Bilobela TV lokuta FM“ (Billy Ngalamulume alias Kill Bill)
→ Screening of the film „Fight the power“ (Rachel Nyangombe)
→ Presentation of the project ” Mayangani “ (Prisca Tankwey)
Guest researcher: Sorana Munsya

18:00 – 19:00
Speculative spaces
Espace cyber – A virtual exhibition (Gabriella Torres-Ferrer, Mukenge/Schellhammer, Sinzo Aanza)

Common past, common futures

17:00 – 17:45                                                 
→ Screening of the film „ Nza “ (Koko Kabamba)
→ Presentation of the project ” MAYANGANI ” (Paulvi Ngimbi)
Guest researcher: Aouefa Amoussouvi

17:45 – 18:30
→ Presentation of the film ” Kasala, the Slaughterhouse of Dreams or the First Human,
Bende’s Error ” (Sammy Baloji)
Guest speaker: Fiston Mwanza

18:30 – 18:40
→ Screening of the film „ Mutu-mutu “ (Miguel Buenrostro)

18:40 – 19:00
Closing: Radio Kinzonzi by artists Orakle Ngoy, Jasmina Al-Qaisi and Ralf Wendt, the participants and friends

CONTEXT

The Internet is the place of unlimited opportunities and information for some, while it remains inaccessible for others because of the quality and the cost of the connection. Some also simply lack the electronic devices that allow them to connect or cannot access online information that is not offered in their native language. These realities mean that privileged people dominate the production of narratives. Indeed, most articles about Kinshasa on the internet are written by authors who are not in Africa, and this has a strong influence on their perception of the continent. The project Laboratoire Kontempo continues to make its mark on the web by offering virtual content and alternative narratives that go beyond the mainstream.

KINZONZI 2.0

In DR Congo, especially in the western region, “Kinzonzi” in Kikongo, one of the national languages, refers to a meeting invoking customary and traditional practices that have been codified for ages and somewhat adapted to the prevailing modernity. This procedure is a valuable tool for carrying out family or societal negotiations in the Congo or in Africa in general.The Laboratoire Kontempo 2021/22 interprets the term “Kinzonzi” according to the current popular culture of Kinshasa in the sense of conspiracy, concertation, a space of interactions necessary to question the imaginary, the foundation of our futures and our contemporary realities.