Goethe-Institut Nairobi announces Nafasi 2023 finalists

Nafasi, carrying the dual meaning of ‘space’ and ‘opportunity’, was launched this year to give artists greater opportunities to present their work and reach new audiences.

Through the programme, Goethe-Institut will provide basic financial support to projects proposed to happen within its space in the following categories: concerts, performances and exhibitions.

More than 200 applications were received and 12 participants were selected in each of the three categories. The finalists will showcase their works throughout the year on yet-to-be-announced dates.

Below are some of the 2023 Nafasi finalists:

Concerts

Wanavokali

A debut solo concert featuring songs from the band’s debut album. The album draws inspiration from the diverse sonic identities and perspectives that exist amongst the band members.

Monrhea [M] and friends – BYTE’s live coding ensemble

[M] invites various artists who have been exploring live music coding using Sonic-Pi to perform together for the first time as an ensemble.

Opera in Nairobi

An evening of beautiful and magical singing from Nairobi’s best opera singers, who will explore, stage and execute some of the greatest opera works ever written.

Checkmate Mido – Waridi

Waridi features the eclectic Afro-hip hop, poetic beatbox-infused sound of Checkmate Mido, adopted for orchestra by Levi Wataka. The main theme for the evening is using music, art, and story as a form of therapy, wellness and healing.

Labdi Ommes – Revelation Post Kinetic Stagnation

In this audio-visual artistic performance, Labdi seeks to investigate the creative subconscious when it is awake – in stillness. The artist will explore interpretation of creative stagnation, or what others may call creative block as she argues that creativity thrives in a paradigm façade .

Exhibitions

Them Mushrooms

Them Mushrooms is celebrating its fifth decade in music with an exhibition of their life and legacy. The exhibition will showcase the band’s journey from humble beginnings to international acclaim, as well as the impact they’ve had on Kenyan music. This exhibition will be curated by Them Mushrooms themselves, and it will feature photos, videos, collection of memorabilia and other artefacts from the band's history, including rare concert footage of them performing live around the world.

Brian Makori – Nairobi Re-imagined

A group exhibition exploring the importance of sustainable cities and communities with a focus on Nairobi, Kenya. The exhibition will showcase Al-generated art that highlights Nairobi’s sustainable urban development journey, including depictions of urban landscapes, transportation systems, and community-led initiatives for sustainable development.

Sarah Waiswa – African Women in Photography

A photographic exhibition that celebrates the unique perspectives of East African women photographers on womanhood. It will showcase a range of photographic works that explore the complex and diverse experiences of women through the lens of these photographers as curated by herself.

Performances:

zamaleoACT – Storytelling performance

A two-part interactive oral folklore performance for children and adults. The repertoire of presentation consists largely of tales collected from East African communities.

Wanjiku Mwawuganga – Ingredients of Pretty

An interdisciplinary performance installation that explores the place of shame in a woman’s body through exploring the impact of media, society and cultural biases.

Dorphanage – Mwariama, Truth Be Told

Mwariama is a poetry concept showcase that seeks to incorporate various artistic disciplines to spark honest conversations on the state of our world and amplify voices of truth.

Nadharia – Genderless fashion showcase

WEAREONEFEST celebrates all gender expressions and promotes acceptance and inclusivity through art, music, and storytelling.

Wakio – Ujumbe

The play explores the question: Is it true that pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional?