Join our Head of Programs Mutanu Kyany’a alongside fellow digital heritage practitioners on the continent as they explore the intersection of technology and cultural heritage on the 22nd and 23rd of March for the Museum of West African Arts Lunch and Learn Series: Preserving African Heritage in the Digital Age.
This two-day online event brings together practitioners in Africa’s heritage sector to share insights from real-world digitization efforts, cultivate interest among young people in the fusion of technology and cultural heritage, and foster discussions on the future of heritage preservation in Africa.
The online series explores how technology is merging with cultural heritage, delving into topics such as the evolution of practitioner and audience interaction with heritage, the ethical considerations of technological integration, and the implications of these capabilities for African institutions, like the Museum of West African Art’s (MOWAA) Plaques Digitization Project.
The event will feature insights from:
→ Chidi Nwaubani, the founder of Looty, a visionary designer, artist and tech practitioner
→ Dominique Petit-Frère, founder of Limbo Accra, a spatial designer and strategist based between NYC & Accra
→ Solange Mbanefo, currently co-curator and exhibition designer at the Museum Rietberg in Zürich, Switzerland, as well as an architect, curator, researcher, designer, and activist
→ Joey Ekunwe, a multi-talented artist, and the lead creative for 360° videos at Imisi 3D one of Africa’s top most XR (Extended Reality) creation labs.
→ Mutanu Kyany’a, a memory worker platforming community histories and identities through digital innovations.
DAY 1: Friday 22nd March 2:00PM WAT/4:00PM EAT
Understanding the Present – What’s Happening and Why It Matters
Presentation from MOWAA’s Digital Heritage Lab: The Plaques Digitisation Project: Preserving African Heritage in the Digital Age
How are digital tools transforming how practitioners and audiences engage with cultural heritage? In a
context of limited resources and digital connectivity, what technological capabilities should African
institutions prioritise – and why? Insights from MOWAA’s ongoing initiative, the Plaques Digitisation
Project.
The Journey So Far: The Osun-Oshogbo Grove Digitization by Judith Okonkwo (IMISI 3D) and the Looty Project by Chidi Ubani
From virtual reality tours of sacred sites to online archives of displaced African art, there are many
examples of independent initiatives that are reshaping how the continent’s cultural heritage is
documented, studied, disseminated, and rearticulated. Whether as part of restitution efforts or simply
good conservation practice, these case studies offer insight into the plethora of models deployed, the
practical hurdles faced, and the people behind them.
Day 2: Saturday 23rd March 2:00PM WAT/4:00PM EAT
Envisioning the Future – Where Do We Go from Here
Panel discussion moderated by Mutanu Kyany’a (African Digital Heritage), featuring insights from Dominique Petit-Frère (Limbo Africa) and Chidi Ubani (The Looty Project)
Topic: Ethics and Contemporary Debates in Digital Africa
Should some aspects of cultural identity be off-limits to digital recording and release? Who truly owns ‘virtual heritage’ and how can regulations better afford artists’ creative rights while protecting age-old traditional practices? Unpacking questions of respect, responsibility, copyright and creative freedom, this session delves into the complexities of this ever-evolving field.
Launch of the 3D Digitisation Toolkit with insights from trained specialists at museums and cultural institutions in Nigeria
In this session, we’ll be sharing perspectives from recent trainees of MOWAA’s 3D digitisation
programme and offering practical tips on how to get started on your own projects.
MOWAA is grateful to be partnering with the Ford Foundation to shape the digital future of heritage in Nigeria and West Africa.
