In “My Body, My Archive,” a riveting autobiographical performance which originated at the Tate Modern in London, Faustin Linyekula uses compelling dance to narrate the stories of his ancestors and examine the geopolitical consequences of authoritarian leadership in a country rife with post-colonial corruption, finding hope in the midst of a legacy of tumultuous war and ruin.
Contemporary arts center OZ Arts Nashville will present the “breathtaking political art” of Congolese artist Faustin Linyekula in collaboration with trumpeter and Sun-Ra Arkestra member Heru Shabaka-Ra on January 24 & 25 at 8:00 p.m. at the organization’s stunning creative warehouse in West Nashville.
A widely acclaimed work that debuted at the Tate Modern in London, “My Body, My Archive” will arrive in Nashville after appearing at prestigious institutions New York Live Arts and the Center for the Art of Performance at UCLA. OZ Arts’ engagement marks the first time the lauded artist will show work in the Southeast.
Hailed as “possibly the most important artist working on the African continent today” by Frieze Magazine, Linyekula engages the act of performance as a vessel to uncover the archive of knowledge stored in his own body, predominantly zooming in on the women who came before him whose stories had been all but erased.
Faustin Linyekula is a resident of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the second largest country on the African continent, rich with natural resources, emerging from a complicated history of colonialism, dictatorship, and political corruption. Human Rights Watch describes conditions in the country formerly known as Zaire as “dire” after decades of violence, corruption, and food crises that have displaced nearly 10 million people.
President Tshisekedi sought to stay in office beyond his maximum term, after he escalated attacks on freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, the media, and the courts. After working abroad for several years, Linyekula returned to the DRC to be closer to the stories that haunt his shows and to create Studios Kabako, a refuge for artists from the Congo and beyond.
With a gripping blend of exquisite and sometimes frenetic movement, poetic text, and evocative live music by potent trumpeter Heru Shabaka-Ra, “My Body, My Archive” is a vessel for Linyekula to summon ancestors, friendships, and political struggles — reckoning with what it means to seek beauty, to write or sing or dance, when surrounded by violence and loss, or living under an oppressive regime. Linyekula combines the power of theater, the expressive force of dance, and sharp political critique to explore post-colonial reality with courage and humor.
His international award-winning performances have been commissioned by some of the world’s most prestigious cultural festivals and institutions, including New York’s Museum of Modern Art and The Metropolitan Museum. He has created work for the Comédie Française, the Lorraine ballets, the National Ballet of Portugal CNB, and famed opera director Peter Sellars.
“Bearing witness to Faustin’s incredible talent and profoundly moving stories of hope amid turmoil is a memorable and deeply stirring experience,” said Mark Murphy, OZ Arts Executive and Artistic Director. “We are presenting his vital work for the first time in the American South, at a time when there are active discussions about the status of democracy in our own country, making Faustin’s artistry and wisdom all the more valuable. OZ is proud to be a home for international artists of this caliber – artists who spark meaningful dialogue, reflection, and community engagement.”
Tickets to My Body, My Archive at OZ Arts Nashville start at just $25 and are on sale now on the Oz Arts website, ozartsnashville.org or by phone at 615.350.7200.
