The collaborative research chapter of Sustaining the Otherwise was launched with a symposium at Nordic Black Theatre, Oslo, curated by Amal Alhaag and Selene Wendt. The two-day gathering was organized around four interrelated themes: (Un)learning Decolonial Curating; Disrupting the Archives; Performing Decoloniality and Artistic Practices of Storytelling, which were discussed in a workshop environment where participants and guest speakers exchanged ideas, strategies, and reference points. 

The program centered around a set of speculative inquiries into the ways in which the global restitution debate and its histories are situated locally and can be refashioned to address concepts such as reparative futures and (im)material culture in relation to artistic strategies and practices.  In keeping with the vision of Sustaining the Otherwise as a project that seeks to create spaces for transcultural and artistic exchange around the notion of restitution, this symposium provided a platform where artists, curators, and scholars discussed and engaged with the topic of restitution. The highly multidisciplinary approach emphasized the importance of artistic practices within the context of restitution, stretching the notion of what restitution is or can be (beyond the objects). As such, the program featured panel discussions, performances, a keynote lecture, and ample room for critical exchange and discussion, providing a much-needed platform for artistic and scholarly engagement with the topic of restitution in Norway.  

The symposium at Nordic Black Theatre was an opportunity to highlight best practices of (re)thinking restitution, bringing together artists, poets, musicians, curators and scholars, primarily from Africa and the African diaspora, whose work is founded on decolonial ideals and the desire for radical transformation and a commitment to creating change. With the goal of establishing new cultural and ethical relations in relation to the topic of restitution, and with particular emphasis on a dialogic approach where listening and learning are key components, with this symposium we sought to foster meaningful transnational dialogues and a shared sense of ownership and commitment to Sustaining the Otherwise. 

Participants included Amal Alhaag, Tawanda Appiah, Michael Barrett, Bafana Isaac Nhlapo & Ibou Cissokho & Solo Diarra, Jeannette Ehlers, Quinsy Gario, Sasha Huber, Marcia Harvey Isaksson, Linda Lamignan, Duduzile Mathsoni, Aude Christel Mgba, Lennon Mhishi, Wayne Modest (remote), Ogutu Muraya, Cliff Moustache, Victor Mutelekesha, Emmanuel Ndefo, Pascale Obolo, and Selene Wendt.

A free public program featured a dance performance by Emmanuel Ndefo, accompanied by a musical performance by Bafana Isaac Nhlapo, Ibou Cissokho and Solo Diarra, preceded by a talk with Cliff Moustache. 

Nordic Black Theatre, Oslo, Norway
May 2-3, 2024

Image credit: Performance by Emmanuel Ndefo /  photo: Matthew Avery Thompson