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Flowers for Africa: Union of South Africa

Kapwani Kiwanga
Flowers for Africa: Union of South Africa, 2017
Protocol of assembly and display including archival iconography to guide the reconstruction of a floral arrangement consisting of cut flowers
Variable Dimensions

In her ongoing project, Flowers for Africa, Kapwani Kiwanga researches archival imagery relating to African independence, before consulting with florists to re-create flower arrangements found therein. Initially fresh, the flowers and foliage are left to run the course of their transient cycle and wilt and dry. In Kiwanga’s own words: ‘Just as the enthusiasm present during the period of independence has faded, pan-African dreams have been eclipsed by the everyday difficulties of the average African citizens.’ Rather like the process of storytelling, the past is momentarily brought back to life for consideration.