Epistemic Disobedience: Institution-Building as Artistic Practice
Date
2022-09-16
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Arts Research Africa
Abstract
This paper posits the Nafasi Art Space in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania,
as a paradigmatic example of independent art spaces in Africa.
These spaces, known as offspaces, challenge the status quo
by creating divergent infrastructures through creative refusals
and re-imaginations. The author conducted a prior study called
Platform/Plotform, which identified key working principles
of offspaces, such as horizontality, performativity, elasticity,
convergence, and second chance. The study visited five African
cities to examine the correlations between artistic strategies
and urban life. The paper focuses on the Nafasi Academy for
Contemporary Art, Expression, and Inclusion, launched in 2020,
and explores its curriculum and pedagogical domains that may,
like the institution itself, build cultural infrastructures while
functioning like a work of art.