Andrew W. Mellon Discussion

Scratching against the Kaboom and Blare of Trumpets

A discussion with composer and sound artist Philip Miller; Academy alumna Rosalind C. Morris, professor of anthropology at Columbia University; and Thuthuka Sibisi, conductor and sound artist. Moderated by Academy fellow Ronald Radano, professor of African cultural studies and music at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

South African composers Philip Miller and Thuthuka Sibisi and anthropologist Rosalind C. Morris explore the music and sonic landscape created in collaboration with William Kentridge for the multimedia performance The Head and the Load, about the participation of Africans in the First World War. The work premiered in 2018 at the Tate Modern, The Park Armory, and the Ruhrtriennale.

Presenting video excerpts from this live performance as well its subsequent iteration video installation Kaboom, they will describe their creative process and some of the piece’s main concepts. In their imagined sonic landscape, Africa talks back to Europe through its war songs and chants, accompanied by scratches of phonographic loops, intercut with fragments of music from the European avant garde. It is a musical response to the silencing of this neglected history.

Generously supported by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

In cooperation with Haus der Kulturen der Welt

Please note that this event will be photographed, filmed, and recorded for use in our/or KBB public relations. By attending, you consent to the possible use of your likeness in publicity materials and press coverage.

Bitte beachten Sie, dass die American Academy/die KBB (Kulturveranstaltungen des Bundes in Berlin GmbH) das Recht hat, Bild- und Tonaufnahmen zum Zwecke der Dokumentation oder für Eigenveröffentlichungen anfertigen zu lassen. Mit Ihrer Teilnahme stimmen Sie der möglichen Verwendung Ihres Abbilds in Werbematerialien und der Berichterstattung in der Presse zu.