SASO L'OJU EGUN / BEHIND THE MASK
Olaniyi R. Akindiya AKIRASH Presented in partnership with Big Medium This is a free event. Reservations not required.
Schedule
Apr 18, 2018, 5:00 PM – Apr 22, 2018, 5:00 PM
Austin, Austin, TX, USA
About
When: EXHIBITION OPENING: Wed 18 @ 5pm, GALLERY HOURS: Thur 19 @ 12-9pm, Fri 20 & Sat 21 @ 12-9:30pm, Sun 22 @ 12-2pm, PERFORMANCES: Wed 18 @ 8pm, Sun 22 @ 4pm
Where: Big Medium | 916 Springdale Rd #101, Austin, TX 78702, USA
My current research is focused on the cloth of the masquerades of the Egungun Festival in West Africa and parts of Bahia, Brazil. When I was on residency in Brazil my paper tapestry technique became influenced by the traditional fabric of the BAHIA people, who have a close connection to the Yoruba people of Nigeria through the slave trade. They both celebrate the Egungun Festival, a traditional religious ritual, where masqueraders dance in elaborate costumes.
My head spun with questions. What is the significance of the masquerade? What is the purpose in the culture of this festival? From where did those costumes and masks come?…