Kenya ujumbe

July 15 – December 11 2022

In an age when the word “extinction” sounds like an inevitable fate, a process of which we can only trace the origins and whose impact is destructive, we ask ourselves what would it take before humankind does its share in preserving the Earth. A painful response comes from Louise Manzon’s marine sculptures in her latest project ujumbe, “message” in Swahili. Mysterious and vilified creatures cry alarmingly due to the toxic substances emerging from their wounds. The disconcerting fact that reveals issues still unknown today, undermining the health of world waters on a daily basis, is the lack of adequate scientific information and monitoring on the cocktail effect. This derives from chemicals that can be found in water resources, and its consequences may be destructive for biodiversity and cause a cascading effect on the ecosystem. Ujumbe wants to make mankind aware that looking down to the dephts of the abysses, just like observing the sky and the geometries of celestial bodies, may turn into a useful way to think and write about humans’ future on this planet.

Credits

Organising institution: Honorary Consulate of Kenya, Milan (Francesco Confuorti, Hon. Consul of Kenya, Milan) Patronage: Ministry of Culture, Sport & Heritage, Kenya; Amb. Amina Mohamed, Kenya; Embassy of Kenya, Rome Artist: Louise Manzon Curators: Luca Beatrice, Wanjiru Waweru Waithaka Partner: KEPSA Kenya, Nelson Mandela Foundation Sponsor: Advantage.green Coordination and communication: Anna Rosa Confuorti Artistic Assistence: Laura Capellini Exhibition Design: Gianluca Aquila; Johan Hoxha Technical Support: Confer, BBTrade, Fonderia Mapelli, Fornace Curti Photography: Pietro Savorelli Thanks to: Luigi Brugnaro, Mayor City of Venice; Pierre-André Chiappori, Columbia Un.; Lorenzo Bini Smaghi, Pres. Société Générale; Laura Bettini, Radio 24; Elyès Jouini, Un. Paris Dauphine; Marco Frey, IIS S. Anna Pisa; Giuseppe Altieri, L’Altraitalia Ambiente; Sonal Desai, Franklin Templeton; Richard Damania, Chief Sustainable Economy WB; William Wechsler, Atlantic Council; François Bourguignon, EHESS Paris; Daniele Moretti, Sky TG24; Nicola Caputo, Ass. Agric. Regione Campania; Patrizia Asproni, Industry and Culture Foundation