#2Navigating Exoticism and Appropriation
21:00 – 23:00, Konzertsaal
• Video about Christopher Kirkley, Sahel Sounds (Portland / USA), Video• Michael Baird (Utrecht // Zambia), Field Recordings and Cultural Diversity, Talk & discussion• Florian Meyer (Berlin / Germany), On Exoticism, Talk & discussionTwo talks and a short video will give a tiny glimpse into the diverse transformations the production and distribution of music has undergone in a heterogeneous Africa between countryside, city and the digital sphere and open the field for a discussion about cultural appropriation, exoticism and imperialism, about regional traditions and digital modernity.Drummer/composer/producer/field-recordist Michael Baird was born in Zambia and has been a Netherlands resident since he was thirteen. Inspired by Hugh Tracey, he has made many field trips in Africa to record local music, so far to Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Lesotho. His label SWP Records has released the work of pioneering music-ethnologists: A 22-cd series of Historical Recordings by Hugh Tracey, digitally re-mastering from the original field tapes, and a compilation of likewise historical recordings of some others who came after Tracey. Cultural diversity and the documentation of the astounding richness of local and regional African musics is a central concern of his work.
Culture, identity and representation are the cornerstones of Florian Meyer aka Don’t DJ’s talk of exoticism. Currently, fundamental flaws in our concept of culture are surfacing in the form oft the wars of identity politics and the repressive nature of our multiculturalist societies. Exoticism is deemed an implementation of a somewhat romantic racism, but very early versions of the concept might actually offer a beneficial approach to respecting and understanding each other in a globalised society. As a DJ, Florian Meyer is praised for his “smooth eclecticism” (Mark Gonzales) while his pivotal point being the style he releases on his DISK imprint. After his talk, he will provide a glimpse of this sound during a listening set at the Stadtgarten Café (ca. 23:30).
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