Norient City Sounds: Nairobi (Map)
In this first Norient City Sounds Online Special, we focus on Nairobi, Kenya, at a time when political and social pressures are rising in tandem with the cost of things and the noise of the approaching elections in Summer 2022. Titled «NairobiConscious», this virtual exhibition began with the curators discussing a perceived increase in «serious» social and political content in the popular songs of the city. The investigation into «conscious» music develops into a portrait of the city taken from interesting and varied perspectives, resulting in a colorful number of articles, podcasts, graphics, photographs, tracks, and more. Curated by Raphael Kariuki and Kamwangi Njue.
Contents: Interactive Map
Click on the icons and scroll down to explore the content of this Special below the map.
Round Up by Kamwangi NjueKamwangi Njue traces the story of political (i.e. conscious) music in Kenya, drawing on his own biography. He asks: Can conscious music achieve the impact it seeks when it has to play in the same sphere as popular music made purely for entertainment?
Virtual Soundwalk by Raphael KariukiJourneys through Nairobi take on an abstract, haunting quality, where familiar traffic sounds transform into otherworldly voices, transporting us into a fugue state where the mundane act of moving in the city begins to suggest other journeys, other places.
Remix by Raphael Kariuki, Thomas BurkhalterA remixed profile of young Nairobi-based DJ/producer Victor Munyasya, an exciting newcomer to the city’s electronic scene. Baring his soul in this abridged interview, he challenges the need for false identities and the social pressures behind it.
Norient City Sounds: Nairobi
Norient City Sounds: Nairobi
Trailer
Imprint
Curation and Project Lead: Raphael Kariuki, Kamwangi Njue
Graphics/Visual Design: Jesse Munene/dudusquad
Video Trailer: Daniel Mugo
Design T-Shirts: Dennis Muraguri Wangeci
PR Manager Nairobi: Abigail Arunga
Event Manager Nairobi: Shamina Rajab
Project Management and Editing: Hannes Liechti
Publishing: Vinzent Preuß
Copy Editing: Meredith Slifkin
Release Date: May 6, 2022
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Funded by
Idea, Concept, and Editorship Norient City Sounds series: Hannes Liechti
© A virtual exhibition by Norient, 2022
