Far away from home, South African Mo Laudi’s curatorial quest is quietly spreading around the world
By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor
One of the country’s leading curators, and clearly yet to be fully appreciated locally is steadily spreading curatorial tentacles around the world.
Mo Laudi is currently involved in a number of art projects including presenting a Sonic Lecture and in addition to being increasingly involved in curatorial projects at prestigious events and the following are some of the high profile events in which he will apply his curatorial knowledge and insights.
The internationally celebrated curator Mo Laudi is set to captivate audiences with an upcoming series of dynamic events in the art world. With an impressive portfolio of curatorial projects and a unique vision, Mo Laudi continues to push the boundaries of contemporary art.
Sonic Lecture at Montreux Jazz Festival
On 8th July, Mo Laudi will deliver what promises to be a ground-breaking sonic lecture at the esteemed Montreux Jazz Festival. This highly anticipated event will serve as a captivating introduction to the forthcoming exhibition curated by Mo Laudi and Madeleine Leclaire at the Museum of Ethnography Geneva (MEG) in 2025.
The sonic lecture promises to offer a multisensory experience, fusing music, soundscapes, and thought-provoking discourse. Audiences can expect to be immersed in an exploration of cultural narratives and the intersection of art and music.
Globalisto Fragments of a Community: Exhibition in Paris
Laudi is currently curating the thought-provoking exhibition titled Globalisto Fragments of Community in Paris. This exhibition showcases the compelling works of South African artists Gerard Sekoto, Sabelo Mlageni, Kendell Geers, Bianca Baldi along with other notable artists of the diaspora, including Jean Charles Castelbajac.
Through Maurice Mboa’s artistic lens, the exhibition delves into the complexities of our global society, highlighting the diverse experiences, identities, and narratives that shape our collective existence. The exhibition has garnered critical acclaim and will remain open till 17, June, 2023, inviting visitors to engage with the powerful artistic expressions on display.
“In bringing together a constellation of visual artists, the exhibition Globalisto. Fragments of Community illuminates the polyphony of narratives and perspectives that arise from our fragmented, detached, and fractured realities. Framed around the notion of community, the exhibition deconstructs and reimagines what it means to commune together, amidst the raptures of the past and the dissonant whispers of the present.
Through a range of mediums such as painting, video, photography, and textiles, the artists investigate the complexities of identity, time, memory, and cultural production. Inspired by the philosophy of Globalisto, which calls upon African knowledge systems, post-apartheid transitionalism, the humanistic principles of Botho which are based on the South African culture of respect, the exhibition calls upon Achille Mbembe’s notion of a borderless world, Pan-Africanism, Black speculative future exploring how we can enhance awareness, embrace foreignness, and welcome what James Baldwin calls the ‘stranger in the village’ into our communities.
“Globalisto. Fragments of Community invites viewers to explore notions of radical hospitality, care, and repair in the context of the self and the other. The vibrant diversity of artistic voices evoke expressions and intricacies of collaboration, the opacity of pain and beauty, creating a safe space of reciprocity, dissonance, and reflection. Through their work, the featured artists challenge us to rethink our conceptions of belonging and to confront the complexities of identity and culture. The exhibition immerses its audience in the interconnections of fragmentation, inviting them to experience the fraternisation of the collective.
Each work in the exhibition is a puzzle piece, representing a unique perspective, a voice of resistance, a story of struggle against power. They are fragments of memories, intimate remnants of histories, and embodiments of defiance. Through their collective presence, they challenge dominant narratives and disrupt the status quo, inviting viewers to engage with the complexities of power dynamics, thoughtful reflection and dissent.
As a curator, I weave together fragments from different temporalities and spaces, creating connections and narratives that speak to the human condition. Just as mycelium functions as the intricate network that connects diverse elements of an ecosystem, I serve as a connector, bringing together diverse artistic expressions that reflect the struggles, the resistance, and the resilience of communities,” write Mo Laudi the curatorial statement accompanying the exhibition.
Talk at Heritage, a Satellite Event at Art Basel:
In a highly anticipated appearance, Mo Laudi will deliver what promises to be an engaging talk at Heritage, a satellite event hosted during Art Basel on 15, June 2023. Drawing upon their extensive expertise in curatorial practices and cultural discourse, Laudi will share insights, perspectives, and innovative ideas that challenge conventional notions of heritage and art. The talk promises to be a thought-provoking exploration of the evolving landscape of contemporary art and its relationship with cultural heritage.
Mo Laudi is recognized for his commitment to fostering dialogue, pushing boundaries, and amplifying marginalized voices within the art world. Inspired by the critical theories of esteemed scholars such as Achille Mbembe, Saidiya Hartman, and James Baldwin, Mo Laudi embraces an interdisciplinary approach that blends art, music, literature, and performance, inviting audiences to participate in transformative experiences.