NTU Centre for Contemporary Art Singapore (NTU CCA) was forced to close its doors during the showcase of Non-Aligned in April. But the wait is finally over – the arts centre is ready to welcome back guests this July with the resumption of Non-Aligned from now till September 27. Expand your knowledge beyond history books by watching three outstanding moving-image works by John Akomfrah, Naeem Mohaiemen, and The Otolith Group.
Named after the political movement that was formed in 1961 on the principles such as world peace and cooperation, human rights, anti-racism, respect and disarmament, non-aggression and justice, Non-Aligned dives into the challenging transition periods from colonial rule to the independence of nations. Not only do they take you through the journey of decolonisation in various nations, but also the impact it has on the lives of its people.
Naeem Mohaiemen explores Bangladesh's journey from the 1973 Non-Aligned Movement meeting in Algeria to the 1974 Organisation of Islamic Countries meeting in Lahore in the three-channel video installation Two Meetings and a Funeral. The Otolith Group follows Richard Wright on his first trip to Africa in 1953 in the video essay Nucleus of the Great Union. Filmmaker John Akomfrah delves further into the personal archive of audio interviews and television recordings of influential theorist and educator Stuart Hall in The Unfinished Conversation.
Besides giving us different perspectives on the post-WWII period, these films also amplify and celebrate the defining voices and intertwining personal lives with political movements that remain relevant especially during these times when education beyond history books is vital. For more information, visit ntu.ccasingapore.org/exhibitions/non-aligned.
