LAS Art Foundation

Nkisi
Orb, 2020

01 Apr 2021 - 31 May 2021

Online Experience

A sonic and visual exploration of the cosmos

Orb (2020), is a sonic and visual exploration of the cosmos that is inspired by musician and composer Steve Coleman's essay ‘Regarding the Sonic Symbolism of When and Where’ (ARCANA V, compiled by John Zorn). The text is based on the premise that cosmic dynamics also consist of sound and music. Nkisi is particularly interested in the phenomenon of orbs, their manifestations and rhythms, and how they affect beings. Orbs are circular luminous spots encountered on photographic images. These particles are often associated with paranormal activities, indicating the presence of the souls of the deceased. During her two-month intervention, Nkisi presents her cosmic sound piece to connect visitors with the unconscious, inviting them to experience with open or closed eyes the orb’s diffusion of energy.

Artist

Nkisi

Melika Ngombe Kolongo also known as Nkisi is an artist, musician, producer and curator based in Berlin and London. In 2015, she founded NON Worldwide, a collective of African and diasporic artists that use sound and performance as their primary media to articulate the visible and invisible structures that create power dynamics in society. Nkisi uses sound to reveal the multi-sensory phenomena of living things, especially cosmic vibrations. She has performed widely across Europe and the US at venues including the South London Gallery, Museum Ludwig, Cologne and New Museum, New York.