Finissage/Final Party: It’s a pity that we only exist in the future, Mar 6th 2009 @ Level 4

African-Maximalism and the Goethe-Institut invite you to a special final party as finissage of “It’s a pity that we only exist in the future”
In the spirit of art in public spaces, this time we fly to a brand new location in town – the spectacular Level 4 outdoor lounge bar at 4th floor of Chester House, next to Florida 2000 in Koinange St.
Come early to enjoy sunset view of the metropolitan Nairobi’s Friday night traffic jam from the poolside of Level 4
During the finissage, African-Maximalism will launch a new magazine…
From 7pm to midnight electro, house and indie Djsets by Ugomatic & Jean-Marie

Conversation: Looking Back, Looking Forward, Feb 25th 2009 @ Goethe-Institut

Conversation: Looking Back, Looking Forward – Enhancing Sports and Social Facilities in Our Neighbourhoods, 25 February 2009, 6.00 pm

National Forum on Safe Neighbourhoods
Public Discussion: ‘Looking Back, Looking Forward – Enhancing Sports and Social Facilities in Our Neighbourhoods’

Over the past several years, before our eyes, many sports and community social facilities across our city have become dilapidated, poorly managed, poorly staffed – mere shadows of their yesteryears. Broadly, sports fields and social halls have lost the diversity, focus, and core function that supported the development of communities, especially youth, through sports, music, dance, and art programming targeting the holistic advancement of the individual. Indeed some open spaces and facilities designed and planned for the public have been acquired or secured by private actors for personal gain and use, further depriving youth and communities the very opportunities that engage and entertain, discourage delinquency and crime, and that foster social cohesion, ownership, and enhance quality of life through availability and access to decent facilities.

By engaging with a dynamic panel of urban governmental and non-governmental actors, the discussion will look at the 60s onwards, presenting a glimpse of the neighbourhood sports grounds, social halls, public spaces, activities, and programmes that helped to created lively, healthy, secure, and memorable environments for children and youth, what has happened to bring about the deterioration of these facilities –social, institutional, spatial, economic factors – and most importantly, what can be done, and by whom, to restore these facilities to their rightful place in our cities, and enhance efforts to create better and safer neighbourhoods.

The conversation will take place in the context of the exhibition “It’s a pity that we only exist in the future.”

Psychosafari Guide, Feb 15th-Mar 6th 2009, all over Nairobi

It’s a pity that we only exist in the future continues with events all over Nairobi.

Sunday Feb 15th:
If there is no soccer on TV, let’s play ourselves Arsenal against Man-u
Bring your red and blue T-shirt. Bring Balls.
where: Uhuru Park. 4. p.m.

Tuesday Feb 17th:
conversation: Current policies and politics around urban public space & And what happens if the public space turns into a pitch for mobilisation?
where: Goethe-Institut 7pm

Thursday Feb 19th:
conversation: The future of urban public space & development
where: Goethe-Institut 7pm

Sat Feb 21st:
visit to Massai Mbili Art Centre in Kibera
Meeting point: Prestige Nakumat, Ngong Road, Saturday 21st Feb 1 p.m.
Nyama Choma and Drinks…

Phonecontact: 0732248249

Nyama Choma and Drinks

Friday Mar 6th
Finissage – Visit to the Cave Restaurant @ Chester House
Djsets by Ugomatic & Jean-Marie
Contributions from contemporary artists into public space, often happens on the fragile borders of urban space. Jacob was asked and hired to turn the entrence of an restaurant into an installation. A kind of semi public space. We want to invite you to visit that place, and also our newspaper “african maximalism”…

for more detailed information, check African Maximalism online or call the hotline: 0732248249

It’s a pity that we only exist in the future, from Feb 13th 2009 @ Goethe-Institut

Art in public sphere – exhibition opening, concert and dj-sets: February 13th at 8.00 pm – free entrance

Special guest at the opening will be Techno DJ Andi Teichmann, one half of the famous DJ-duo, the Teichmann Brothers. He will perform alongside DJ Ugomatic and Ukoo Flani. After the launch of It’s a pity, Andi will play once again in Nairobi. Download flyer of the event

The exhibition will remain open until March 4th, Monday to Friday, 10.00am to 6.00pm
info:+254202224640, prog2[at]nairobi.goethe.org

Art, understood as an imaginative representation of the world, is not only an integral part of everyday life, but can also be seen as a barometer of intellectual freedom. Art in the public sphere, that is the performing of cultural expressions in public, is a further distillation of this and a critical indicator of a culturally healthy society.

Nairobi, a vibrant city and a leading African metropolis, pulsates with a wealth of new forms of cultural expression, many of which exist beyond the frontiers of conventional institutions. It’s a pity that we only exist in the future is an exploration of the city’s terrain with the aim of representing these fascinating phenomena within the context of a discourse about public space.

This is by no means an exhaustive show, but rather a sample of the city’s cultural nuggets. From matatus to community radio, from art performance to grassroots TV, from rappers to mobile photographers, we try to showcase the spectrum of culture on offer. The show will be accompanied by a series of informal Psycho Safaris (discussions and excursions). It’s a pity that we only exist in the future is curated by African Maximalism, an open source movement. Check back Nairobi Now for programme updates…