The Subterranean Imprint Archive is a research project that envisions a counter-archive of technopolitics and nuclearity on the African continent. It examines Africa’s role in the development of the first atomic bombs through the Shinkolobwe mine in the former Belgian Congo, the source of the uranium used for its development. Together with Congolese researcher Joe-Yves Salankang Sa-Ngol, Lo-Def Film Factory engaged with central and southern African archives to unearth contested histories of mineral extraction, uneven distribution, and e-waste. The work brings together first-hand testimonials, lectures, and found audio to build a multi-vocal portrait of the relationship between a historical moment, its actors and locations, and the present. The work was produced during the What Stays – Archiving Care residency, a year-long project in cooperation with transmediale festival, the JUNGE AKADEMIE of the Academy of Arts, and the Goethe-Institut Slovakia. In partnership with the Goethe-Institut South Africa.
Research project · Research project