Otobong Nkanga
©Courtesy of the Artist
In Pursuit of Bling, 2014
The installation In Pursuit of Bling was first shown in 2014, at the eight Berlin Biennale. The current setup was preceded by three performances.
In Pursuit of Bling is the confluence of several research avenues into the numerous metamorphoses that natural resources undergo during their transition from raw material to finished product.
The mineral mica is the starting point of this installation. The word 'mica' comes from the Latin 'micare', which means 'to twinkle', 'to glitter'. This meaning fits the connotation of 'bling' extremely well. As a processed mineral, mica can take many forms and it is used in several applications. These forms and stories are examined in the installation.
In the middle of the installation, there are two tapestries: one shows a gemstone-like form, pierced by needles, the other shows the legs of a man and woman, crowned with abstract forms that refer to mining landscapes. Around the carpets, metal benches are positioned with geological samples, photographs, minerals like mica, malachite and copper and texts that were printed on limestone. Two videos are on display as well, showing Nkanga presenting shiny objects and walking through the streets of Berlin with a malachite crown on her head.
These separate elements all refer to the historical connection that exists between past and present and to our insatiable appetite for raw materials – as well as to our desire to turn these raw materials into commodities, to make nature into a commodity.
The installation is also a reflection on the contradictory nature of the word 'bling'. 'Bling' signifies both the splendour and pomp natural resources can provide and the downside of that splendour: the dark and sombre past of colonialism and the unending capitalist exploitation linked to the exploitation of minerals. In addition, 'bling' also stands for a fascination with gloss and glitter, and exaggerated individualism. In addition to the mineral story and references to history in general, the installation embodies the striving for a better and prettier version of ourselves.
