Solace Enwere
Mbari Reimagined: Beyond Memory and Myth
Tech, Mythos, Artifacts
Throughout human history, storytelling and collective myths have been instrumental in shaping societies and cultures. Yet, as emergent technologies grant us unprecedented abilities over our environment and ourselves, we must confront a significant disparity: Whose stories are being prioritized and which are at risk of fading? In a converging global culture, stories outside dominant paradigms are at risk of fading away
This project dives deep into the intersection of technology and storytelling through the lens of the now-extinct Mbari. A visual arts style from Southeastern Nigeria. Mbari, deeply rooted in local mythology, blended festivals, music, and ritual with sculpture and architecture. In the Mbari tradition, designated artists, symbolically 'killed', would secretly construct a shrine, becoming spirit workers in the process.
To tell these stories, we introduce the concept of "technorelica," a fusion of modern technology and ancient Mbari spiritual practices. It is both a bridge and a tool: linking past to future. And shining a spotlight on forgotten narratives. By sculpting in virtual reality, this project emulates the Mbari spirit workers, crafting afrofuturist artifacts that record the body’s motion and convey stories. The artifact comprise both a physical object and its accompanying video or animation. Pushing the boundaries of conventional artifacts. The term technorelica encapsulates this melding of the old and the new, aiming to project ancient Igbo practices into an afrofuturist future.
Emergent technology's dual potential is undeniable. It can simultaneously champion and challenge existing narratives. While it can amplify dominant voices, it also offers marginalized stories a unique platform. The blend of technology, stories, and mythology results in novel artifacts, signifying the union of age-old traditions with tech.
Futurist Mbari Technorelica emphasizes the symbiotic relationship between technology and culture, urging an examination of how technology can both uphold and question dominant stories. By envisioning a future Mbari inspired by its aesthetics, this project seeks to speculate on artistic expression in Africa. Thus, Futurist Mbari Technorelica isn't just an artistic endeavor but a clarion call to meld cultural practices and tech, fostering a more inclusive future.
Artifact Turntable
Uli Pattern
Artifact Render 1
Artifact Render 2
Artifact Render 3