Bernard Akoi-Jackson in the stead of Jelili Atiku | Openings and meanderings: supplications for more accessible futures.

Bernard Akoi-Jackson’s Openings and meanderings: supplications for more accessible futures is presented in the stead of Jelili Atiku’s Eyes No Dey Forget Wetin Heart See, features a mystical figure embodying the earth’s energy, embarking on a ‘Luminous Pilgrimage,’ a deliberate, trance-like journey that weaves through urban landscapes, integrating Orisha rituals with psychogeography and dérive. This immersive experience invites the audience to embody their true selves, confront societal expectations, and tap into the magic within and around them. Through this ritualistic dérive, participants are encouraged to surrender to the city’s rhythms, sensing the emotional resonance of spaces, and allowing the environment to shape their inner landscapes. The performance promotes self-discovery, transformation, and profound connection, addressing cultural identity fragmentation, reclamation, and restitution.

Drawing from African art and epistemologies, Eyes No Dey Forget Wetin Heart See reframes the gaze, reimagines narratives, and reclaims silenced voices. It’s an act of historical reclamation, seeking to liberate African art from colonial contexts. By embracing radical and mystical presence, the performance transcends the ordinary, tapping into the mysterious, and finding meaning in the unseen. The Luminous Pilgrimage is a site of resistance, where participants confront dominant narratives, and reclaim their stories. It’s a journey into the heart of the unknown, where the raw essence of being is revealed, and profound connections are forged.