Thamesmead Texas presents ‘Little Nollywood’ an installation of box monitors displaying Nollywood movies by our local Thamesmead talent. Over the past 18 months artists Scully and Scully have been meeting their neighbours, and gathering stories working for Thamesmead Community Archive. On that journey Scully and Scully had a chance encounter with two Nigerian gentlemen and immediately a dialogue opened up about film, cinema, and Nollywood. Nollywood was a little-known subject to the artists and it was even less known that there was a network of producers, directors, and actors living in Thamesmead – in fact a small industry of filmmakers was operating right under their noses. This discovery led to multiple meetings and interviews with these local legends, where genuine friendships and collaborative partnerships were forged. These interviews can be listened to on the sofa upstairs, and soon will be available on the Thamesmead Community Archive website. In addition, a Nollywood weekend screening event will be hosted from The Thamesmead Travelling Cinema on the weekend of 25-26 September 2021.
Presented here on the four box monitors is a selection of films by local Nollywood talent, with some films being filmed between Nigeria and Thamesmead. A custom-built (Birthing) chair by local artist and designer Debo Adegoke is on display and invites you to sit and contemplate the very idea that Nollywood works are being created in and around Thamesmead, and that so much African talent exists on our doorstep. Films include: Dry Leaves (2018), Director Uche Odoputa; My Love and My Crown (2019), Director Ruke Amat; Consequences (2017), Director Ruke Amata; Transmission Transmission (2018), Director Neli Kings; Closed Door (2020), Director Neli Kings; Presentation of various Nollywood VHS tapes, loaned from the collection of Comfort Adeneye.
Curated by Scully & Scully. Funded by Heritage Lottery Fund and Peabody.
THE NATIVE CHAIR, DIRECTORS CUT
African (birthing) chair?
Viking Chair?
No one knows for sure
It IS two planks of hardwood
(aka “Made by God”),
slotted together to form a
strong self supporting chair.
The best examples are carved,
with openings to keep the sitter cool.
This version is part functional, part allegorical.
The coat of arms at the top is rendered in
half-tone, a symbol of the never dying light
of the peoples will, shining out of the darkness.
The Nigerian government version,
would be coloured green, to match their
favourite klepto currency.
Laminated chipboard is not suitable for a chair
I know, but it’s Made in China,
like much of our economy.
That’s why it is structurally adjusted.
The air holes are approximately 8mm wide,
the same size as the bullets that the Nigerian Army
permanently ventilated the #endsars protestors with.
Growing up, our dear leaders (Oga) always addressed us
from lofty perches emblazoned with the coat of arms above their head,
directing our affairs one decree at a time.
I was told, as an adult, that these chairs were used by hunters
to rest and sleep in.
I imagined them around a camp fire
stargazing and sharing stories.
When @thamesmeadtexas asked for seating to accompany their
“Little Nollywood” exhibition,
comprising several TV sets all showing Nollywood films,
I figured that TV sets were but camp fires,
around which people gathered to get news and be entertained.