Peju Alatise - Material Witness

Miss this at your peril!

Where does Music come from?

I've always had a strong interest in how music originated, or rather the limited geographic sense thereof. In pre-literate society, which include most of Africa's early tribes and clans, music and stories carry added significance. This might explain why they seem to be more fundamental to societies here (although - classical cause and effect theory here - why would they need the literate traditions if their oral ones are so strong?).

The debate on origins of music are a never ending of course, and many clever heads that have much more to say on oral traditions than my rudimentary thoughts. In academia the area has been battling a bit for relevance however, especially in Europe I was told by Linda Braun (a Falling Walls Lab colleague), and suffers from chronic funding shortage. This seems surprising, given its importance and the unanswered cause and effect questions.

One way to up the relevancy levels is to bring the history of music that's more popular (though not more profitable) than ever back into popular conciousness. The best way to do that of course is graphics (who likes to read?). I have a huge map of the origins of jazz back in Germany, but I wanted to share the one below as a particularly good example...

Interesting that it comes from a travel agency. Maybe it will inspire more people to venture down the Chicago - New Orleans blues trail that Harry and I attempted way back. After all, that's where it all started ;)

On Creativity

Do you have any artistic friends that you see far too seldom and you wonder what they get up to because they don't often show you stuff? There's murmurings amongst your friends about whether they actually do anything? And then, pop, they appear with something beautiful, right there in a one-liner?

I do, and the product is overwhelming. It helps me remember that creativity is a complex process that works different for everybody and sometimes takes long, arduous, and twisty roads to get somewhere. Sometimes it stays hidden, but that's not to say it isn't there. Its wonderful, surprising and helps me keep my spark. And, it's always unique.

Anyway, before I ramble on:

Made of Sand from Bison Moon Project on Vimeo.

Sangodare

The Adunni Olorisha Trust, the organization that is trying to maintain and promote the legacy of Suzanne Wenger, and in doing so protect the Sacred Groves of Osogbo (one of only two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Nigeria), is at work. We've organized an exhibition of Sangodare's work - one of the adopted children of Suzanne and the most promising artist amongst the New Sacred Art movement. The event's on Saturday in Lagos - email me if you want to come.

I help the Trust out as much as I can and am up there quite often as a result. If you're in Lagos and would like to come to Osogbo sometime, let me know.

Carried Away

I'm not sure art auctions and champagne are a good mix. Never mind, it was fun and I ended up in with a rather good deal, me thinks. Though where to put it is quite a different question.

Ben Osaghae

Repeat Offenders

2005

Oil on Canvas

124.5 x 101.6 (49 x 40 in.)