Return — York Mediale
Return (2022)
An ambitious hybrid work
The next iteration of Akeelah Bertram’s ongoing artwork

Return is an ambitious hybrid work, utilising both physical and online mediums to create space for a participatory and collective exploration of loss, connection and displacement, which will result in a series of international, interconnected, interactive installations celebrating the shared heritage & histories of the African diaspora. 

 

Return — York Mediale

Return began as an interactive installation in 2019 and has since evolved into a web-based work that will capture contributions from people around the world. At the heart of the project, the work seeks to explore what it means for global Black communities to connect and collaborate across place, time and cultures.

This iteration of the work will broaden the dialogue around the themes by connecting with Black communities across the UK. Through four creative workshops, participants will create a rich resource of stories, ideas and provocations around shared cultural and social heritage. These conversations will inform a series of four podcasts produced and broadcast by Sable Radio in Leeds in early 2023. 

 

Akeelah Bertram Artist and creator

‘African diaspora are connected in many ways, perhaps the most prominent way being connected through loss of heritage, homes and people. Return began with a desire to create a shared space for a memorial that could span our many languages, locations and practices.’

The next iteration of Return…

The web-based artwork will invite members of the African diaspora to participate in an intimate experience by leaving a tribute to a lost connection. Tributes will be transformed into avatars that will live on the site during the whole life span of the work. The web environment is developed in collaboration with Hungry Sandwich Club, and the soundscape for this piece will be produced in collaboration with musicians Thabo Mkwananzi and Aron Kyne.

Return is produced by Mediale and supported by Arts Council England, the University of Leeds and the Postcode Neighbourhood Trust.

Return — York Mediale

Through a series of drop-in workshops, participants have been able to create a rich resource of stories, ideas and provocations around shared cultural and social heritage. These conversations will inform a series of four podcasts produced and broadcast by Sable Radio in Leeds in early 2023.

The first workshop took place at East Street Arts in Leeds on 31 August 2022.

The second workshop was hosted by MAIA in Birmingham.

The third workshop took place in London at flat 70. 

The fourth and final drop-in workshop and a music performance by Thabo Mkwananzi and Aron Kyne will be hosted by Jamaica Society Leeds. Click here to reserve your spot.

More on Return…
Featured Artist

Akeelah Bertram

Akeelah Bertram is a cross-disciplinary artist specialising in making immersive experiences. Materially her work blends light, sound, sculpture and interactions to create hybrid immersive environments that prioritise emotional experiences. Conceptually she is interested in collective narratives, challenging perspectives and innovating modes of communication.

Artist Bio