steirischer herbst 2009

Real Energy World / NIGER DELTA

62% photography
38% discourse

Whether the oil price rises or falls, it always leads to lively discussions –
but the underlying production conditions are of no interest to us. The only brief headlines are when foreigners are adducted by militant rebels in Africa, for example, then TV stations broadcast images of giant oil slicks, burning natural gas, billows of smoke, pipelines running right through the middle of villages, with their totally destitute population.
The exhibitions and discussions during the “Real Energy World” programme examine the representation of disasters by looking at the example of the ecological, social and humanitarian disaster caused by oil production in the Niger Delta – while the participating companies here in the West cultivate their clean image and advertise their products emphasising social responsibility and environmental sustainability.
Only few journalists dare travel to this hotspot to take pictures of everyday life: Pictures that are intended to shake up, but which are also received by the art world thanks to their formal and aesthetic qualities. “Real Energy World” examines various angles and patterns of reception with the aid of journalistic photographs and artistic works from the region.

Sat 03/10, 2 - 7 pm
Symposium
With Frank Ugiomoh (NG), Ruth Noack (D), Akinbode Akinbiyi (NG/D), Christine Frisinghelli (A) & George Osodi (NG/GB)
Presented by Georg Schöllhammer (A)

Sat 03/10, 8 - 12 pm
Film programme
Sandy Cioffi (USA) "Sweet Crude" 2008, 90‘
Lars Johansson (TZ) "Poison Fire" 2008, 28‘
Emanuel Danesch (A) "CSR Versprechen Verantwortung" 2006, 51‘

Sun 04/10, 11 am
Concert
Thomas Rottleuthner / Eva Ursprung (A)

Sun 04/10, 11.30 am - 4 pm
Symposium followed by panel discussion
With Emanuel Danesch (A), Sandy Cioffi (USA), Jerry Sonny Ugokwe (NG), Sokari Ekine (N/GB), Rubina Möhring (A), Akintunde Akinleye (NG) & Gladys Ifeoma
Ugiomoh (NG)
Presented by Margit Franz (A)

Art at urban advertising space
Wed 15/09 - Wed 14/10 Billboards, Citylights, Videowall
Wed 30/09, 7 pm, Rondeau at Jakominiplatz: presentation

Photographic works: George Osodi (NG), Videowall: Lars Johansson (SE). Talk: Werner Fenz (A) and George Osodi (NG). Photos and videosequences taken in the Nigerdelta are shown for one month in the city of Graz. At public advertising panels visual messages documentate life in the cathastrophy.

290 bills and 90 Citylights in Graz
Three themes: “Oil Pipeline Explosion”, “Farmland”, “Delta Boy”
Videowall at Jakominiplatz: Documentary “Poison Fire” vby Lars Johansson.

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Co-produced by steirischer herbst & Forum Stadtpark
In co-operation with Grüne Akademie & Südwind

With
George Osodi (NG/GB), Akinbode Akinbiyi (NG/D), Akintunde Akinleye (NG), Timipre Willis Amah (NG), Pius Utomi Ekpei (NG), Tim A. Hetherington (USA/GB), Uche James-Iroha (NG), Michael Kamber (USA), Ed Kashi (USA), R. Nkwonta (NG), Tim Nunn (GB), Emeka Okereke (NG), Sunday Ohwo (NG), Sandy Cioffi (USA), Emanuel Danesch (A), Lars Johansson (TZ) et al.

Curated by
Hans Nevidal (A) & Eva Ursprung (A)

Forum Stadtpark

26/09 - 20/10
Tue - Sun 2 - 6 pm

Sat 26/09, 5 pm
Vernissage

Sat 03/10, 2 - 7 pm
Symposium

Sat 03/10, 8 - 12 pm
Film programme

Sun 04/10, 11 am
Concert
Thomas Rottleuthner / Eva Ursprung (A)

Sun 04/10, 11.30 am - 4 pm
Symposium followed by panel discussion

Forum Stadtpark

With
George Osodi (NG/GB), Akinbode Akinbiyi (NG/D), Akintunde Akinleye (NG), Timipre Willis Amah (NG), Pius Utomi Ekpei (NG), Tim A. Hetherington (USA/GB), Uche James-Iroha (NG), Michael Kamber (USA), Ed Kashi (USA), R. Nkwonta (NG), Tim Nunn (GB), Emeka Okereke (NG), Sunday Ohwo (NG), Sandy Cioffi (USA), Emanuel Danesch (A), Lars Johansson (TZ) et al.

Curated by
Hans Nevidal (A) & Eva Ursprung (A)

Forum Stadtpark