The South African Pavilion at the 60th Venice Biennale 2024 features a multidisciplinary sound installation called “Dinokana,” created by artist duo MADEYOULOOK, on display until November 24th.

The installation, based on seven years of research in the northern regions of South Africa, delves into the histories of land labor, traditional methods of land restoration, and their broader implications for societal repair. It also draws inspiration from the histories of the Bahuruste and Bakoni peoples, focusing on their cycles of displacement and return. The installation incorporates insights into historical recovery frameworks and traditional water management technologies that were pivotal in reconstructing the villages and communities of Bahurutse and Bakoni.

“Dinokana” also emphasizes the vital role of rain in the semi-arid South African landscape, exploring ancestral practices for harnessing these elements. The installation seeks to mend connections not only to land and water but also to ourselves following periods of loss and enforced estrangement.

The eight-channel sound composition at the heart of the installation blends archival recordings of rain and harvest songs with field recordings of natural landscapes, interviews with land workers, healers, and family narratives, all set against the backdrop of a Johannesburg thunderstorm. The physical environment recreates the terraced hillsides of Bokoni and features a landscape crafted from clippings of the resurrection plant, a species noted for its symbolic representation of renewal and healing in Southern African traditions.

La Biennale di Venezia is dedicated to promoting global cross-cultural exchange and underscores the vital role of art in defining and enriching our culture and society.

Source: E-flux