This work looks at the spaces which sell second-hand clothing that is supposedly ‘donated’ from North America and Europe to ‘in need of aid’ Africa. It explores the problematics of this, and issues of how Africa is still portrayed through media in the West currently, whilst also looking at the historical.
The work came about from my constant interaction with a space and place colloquially called ‘Dunuza’ or ‘Dobha phansi’. A physical location where second-hand clothing (belts, boots, bags, shoes, as well as books) is sold near the Noord taxi rank, in Johannesburg. The video and sound installation visually brings all the performative elements that occur in that space which can be overwhelming.
The installation is an immersive experience as it attempts to capture some of the emotions which may be felt when one traverses similar spaces- of vulnerability and alienation in public spaces.
A dominate element in the video, other than the hands, is the luminance present in the video. The luminosity allows for some clothes to look like x-rays, at times, giving the viewer the illusion that they are seeing something very bodily. Yet at other times the luminance gives the appearance of something being engulfed by flames.
The work explores the space and moments that happen in that space as a site of thinking through complex concerns surrounding im/migration, belonging, representation, history, through the exploration of liminality or in-betweenness.