Q&A with Kwena Mokwena: Digital Arts Focus programme in France

• How did you find the Digital Arts Focus programme?

This was a great programme with a wonderful ensemble of professionals from all over the world. It was quite a privilege to be in France and to be in Aix-en-Provence, which is a beautiful city.  It was great to explore the French digital arts scene with a diverse and highly experienced group of people. It was also great to be in Marseille and convene in one of my favourite buildings – La Friche (La Friche de la Belle de Mai). This incredible site has been transformed from an old tobacco factory to a dynamic art precinct that is located next to a low income neighborhood. Because of my interest in creating positive spaces that inspire creativity, I was truly inspired to be in that environment.

• Have you obtained any new skills through the programme?

I was there in my capacity as the instigator of the Afrikan Freedom Station who is also employed as curator at Robben Island Museum. It was a privilege to be with high-level professionals in the art and cultural sector from around the world. My biggest lessons came from the looking at how how people are using innovative ways to solve problems where they live and work. The rich interactions and conversations within the group as well as the engaging encounters with French professionals created a dynamic space for sharing, questions and dreaming together. I did not learn any particular skill, what I gained was a perspective about the changes, opportunities and challenges brought on by the digital revolution as it plays itself out. I left feeling that technology can give voice to the diversity and beauty of the human experience – it can narrow the digital divide and bring people closer. After all, it is about telling stories that move humanity.

• Have you gained any new competencies through the programme?

Perhaps the biggest learning for me as a South African, and African, cultural activist and artist is that a new age is here, and it brings with it new platforms and tools of telling stories, of solving problems and creating a liveable world for all people. In fact, the digitally immersive tools, because of multi-dimensionality, are closer to some African cosmologies, and ways of thinking. Technology in the hands of people can change things.  Despite lasting impact of colonialism, the 20th century will be remembered as the age of great African literature, and music. Today it is exciting to imagine where humanity will go, as technology meets new digital African imaginations. As part of our journey, we saw great work from Mozambique, Kenya, and even Colombia, Chile and Canada, among other places. In these spaces, people are using technology to solve pressing problems. Beyond creating the spectacle and ‘wow factor’, technology can democratise learning and unleash innovation.

• Are there any interesting projects you are working on and any collaborations from the programme?

We created the Afrikan Freedom Station as a cultural hub in the historic Sophiatown in Johannesburg. We are a hub for artists and we are known for a vigorous jazz and art programme. We have made some interesting connections with French creators, who are willing to work with us to transfer skills by bringing French creative and African creatives together to create new work. Having gone through a  range of interesting, digitally-immersive experiences and having interacted with their creators, I am convinced that they can work with African creatives. Together they can add their voices and creativity to this new and exciting field – we are inspired to bring the power of digital innovation to the grassroots level and to innovate in community.