The "A World in Common" features 23 artists from African and the African diaspora, exploring the imagine of Africa through their artworks. The exhibition is inspired by the Cameroonian philosopher Achille Mbembe, one of the most relevant scholars on post-colonialism. Mbembe argues that the narrative that surrounds Africa is still embedded in the Western mindset, which portrays the continent as nothing more than colonies. The Cameroonian philosopher urges us to change this perception and asks, "What is Africa's identity today?".

 

The exhibition is divided into three chapters: one who focuses on the cultural heritage and spirituality; the second one is about representation; the last chapter is about climate justice.

For centuries, people have tried to preserve traditions from generation to generation. The artists show how elements of self-expression and spiritual practice are still maintained today.

For the second part of the exhibition features family portraits. The artists aimsto explore on how identities and traditions are both maintained and reinterpreted across generations. Also, the lasting influence of the European gaze on Africa during the colonial period is explored.

 The final theme explored by the artists in the exhibition is climate justice. The pressing issue of climate change affects both landscapes and communities and is closely linked to issues of migration and climate activism.

The location of the exhibition is worth mentioning. C/O Berlin presents itself as an autonomous exhibition space where photography or visual media works are usually exhibited. The center's philosophy is that "photography is society's mirror", therefore it keeps provoking and challenging its visitors with exhibitions and lecturers whose primary scope is to break with traditions. C/O Berlin was founded in 2000 by photographer Stephan Erfurt, designer Marc Naroska, and architect Ingo Pott. From 2014 the location is located at the Amerika Haus (Hardenbergstraße 22, 10623 Berlin).

In the spirit of the philosophy of C/O Berlin, the exhibition "A World in Common" invites the visitors to rethink how they visualize Africa and the continent's role in the international arena.

• https://www.co-berlin.org/en/mission-statement https://www.co-berlin.org/en/mission-statement
• https://www.co-berlin.org/en/about-us https://www.co-berlin.org/en/about-us
• https://www.co-berlin.org/en/program/exhibitions/world-common https://www.co-berlin.org/en/program/exhibitions/world-common
• https://pact.egs.edu/biography/achille-mbembe/ https://pact.egs.edu/biography/achille-mbembe/