Underwater Underwater

"Underwater Disobedience" by the artist duo Diogo da Cruz and Fallon Mayanja allows visitors to explore the profound essence of water, interweaving sculptures, sound compositions and collaborative audiovisual creations. Rooted in the philosophical currents of hydrofeminism, the works explore the interconnectedness of humans with their fellow humans and water. They consider our bodies as ephemeral vessels for the fluid that shapes our existence, and the Atlantic Ocean as a vast reservoir of collective memory. Central to the exhibit is an experimental sci-fi film series, weaving together fragments of an afrofuturist saga depicting an underwater civilisation dwelling within the depths of the Atlantic, juxtaposed with reflections on the perils of deep-sea mining. This narrative serves as a reflection on the echoes of colonial atrocities and the unsustainable exploitation of natural resources, urging viewers to contemplate a decolonized ecological perspective that challenges the limitations of Western science in addressing climate crises. Within this evocative universe, da Cruz’s sculptures manifest as possible embodiments of the saga’s protagonists, while Mayanja’s sound installations offer novel avenues for auditory exploration. Amidst this symbiotic convergence of artistry spanning the past three years, the duo unveils their latest creation: NUUN – the Subaquatic Bird of the Atlantic, a collaborative endeavour with Sebastian Giussani. This new sculpture created for the Waterbird Parade at the Water & Sound Festival is a flowing manifestation of the Atlantic Ocean in the winding waterways of Augsburg and invites the audience to reflect on the depths of our interconnected existence.