Thursday 24 December 2015

Looking This Way: Expectations, Waiting, and Defeats.



A Note to Self and My Acquaintances
“The best things are beyond words”. –Ben Okri.       

I love photographs and the art of photography. This propensity is a part of me that I cannot deny. It is what it is: I love photography. I may not be fully aware of the implications of being fond of photographs (especially psychological implications), but ever since I started seeing stories on photographs, stories that no one will ever be willing to tell, stories that reveal the meaning of codes written on the faces of people and places, stories that suggest intentions, actions and inaction, memories, I started paying more attention to photographs. And so, each time I take a photograph, I try to decipher its meaning. 

Whenever I try to reflect on this phenomenon, a photograph taken on the 3rd of January 2005 comes to mind. It was my mother’s funeral. Her body was lying in state and we (the immediate family) were invited to see her body for the last time. We filed in—my father and all my brothers (there’s no sister). We stood for a while facing her still body clothed in white. She was resplendent in her casket. She didn’t appear dead to me. She looked as though she was asleep. Of course, she was. But she has not woken from that sleep—at least not on this part of the divide. My father intoned the hymn “To God Be the Glory” and we all joined. When he started praying, all eyes were closed except mine. My eyes were wide open, watching my late mother. 

“Click!” One camera caught that moment and things have never been the same. Each time I hold that photograph, it takes me back to January 3rd 2005. It tells a lot of stories. I still ask myself questions till this day. Why didn’t I close my eyes? Why was I looking at her at that point? What was on my mind? Was I expecting anything? Was my mind asking her questions—like if she really wanted to be lowered in the grave already dug outside—leaving us all alone with Dad? Or was I being simply rebellious by refusing to close my eyes during prayers? I still have that photograph. I own it. 

Photographs are phenomenal in a manner that overpowers and transcends. 

On Facebook, people post pictures and sometimes write posts to go with them. I have found out, many times, that some of those accompanying posts have absolutely nothing to do with the pictures. It is not new. While it is plausible that a work of art could mean so many things at once, I try to find at least one meaning. If I succeed in finding more than one, two, or three, I feel elated.

I have two photographs here: One image. Two colours.

Here, I was waiting to see Beasts of No Nation at a cinema. The movie was scheduled to start at 8:30pm and it was about fifteen minutes to the time. My eyes were fixed on the entrance of Room 9 when the photo was taken. I was expecting. I was waiting. Eventually, I saw the movie. 

The two photographs are significant. While it is one image of me sitting down, relaxing, and at the same time focusing my gaze somewhere (my goal for that night), for me, the colour makes the difference. This, perhaps, is influenced by my newfound interest in semiotics/semiology after my peripheral study of popular music analysis. In his book “Analyzing Popular Music”, David Machin argues that monochrome pictures suggest a sense of reserve, reflection, and introspection while the full colour could mean liveliness and fun. I have, in one of my meditations, questioned Machin’s proposition to ascertain its authenticity. In that one attempt, I failed to convince myself that it was absolute banality. I gave in—and till date, Machin’s argument makes sense to me because of what comes to my mind each time I make juxtapositions with coloured photographs and photographs in monochrome. I think of brightness and dullness. I have managed to add that photographs in monochrome could mean a recall of memory and history—a medium which is not new in filmmaking. 

Having established generic connotations for the photographs here, I proceed.

It is an axiom that when one expects, even if the expectation is supported by an action, there could be (or there has to be) some degree of waiting. Life itself teaches you to wait. Even if you are the most impatient person in the world, you must wait. The question could be “for how long?” The answer to the above question could show who is patient and who is not. No matter how impatient you are, some things cannot be changed. You have to wait. For instance, a child cannot jump from primary school to the university simply because the child sees undergraduates on campus everyday and cannot wait to join them. Life is a process. If you grow stiff, it will bend you into shape without your permission. In addition, refusing to wait could lead to unpleasant circumstances. While it could work for someone to not wait and still get things done in some circumstances, it doesn’t work all the time. Imagine that I created a scene at the cinema by insisting that I must watch an 8:30pm movie at 7:45pm for any reason whatsoever, I would be cooling off in a nearby police station or having my head examined in a psychiatric hospital. Waiting is vital while expecting. If you cannot wait for a period of 9 months, why get pregnant? Or better still, why impregnate someone? Waiting completes the cycle of life.
The coloured picture represents my expectations and waiting that yielded results in 2015.  For personal reasons, I will not mention certain details here. For me, the most significant expectation and waiting that left me feeling proud of myself is the successful completion of my Master of Arts degree in Kingston University London. It was twelve months of rigorous academic exercise. Obtaining a Masters degree in 12 months is not a joke. I am grateful for every opportunity I have had and to the few people, who have taught, mentored and supported me in every way.

I have had some of my works of art published in journals, anthologies and websites.
Poems. Stories. Spoken Word Video. Essays. Translations.
I attended four arts & literary festivals.

I was contacted from Poland to translate into the Igbo language, a few poems by Vladimir Vysotsky which would be published in an international anthology of translations. It has since been published in the USA—and it is available mainly in Russia and Poland. One copy was sent to me when I was in Coventry and I’ve kept it very close to me since then. In this anthology, I am the youngest translator, or so it seems.

While I was in England, I bought many books by Ben Okri—an author for whom I have profound admiration. I watched him speak on YouTube. One day, the opportunity came. Africa Writes. I took myself to The British Library London where I met many writers, and, of course, Ben Okri. Ben Okri signed all my copies of his books amidst small talks and my phone camera captured that moment. Ben Okri.

I expected to surpass myself. I waited. It worked. I started a project (to be unveiled later) and saw it materialize. Now, I hold that dream in my hands, waiting for the right time to let it out. All these pleasant experiences are my defeats. They are, in a sense, defeats to my former self whom I am always striving to outdo. I had many defeats in 2015.

The monochrome picture represents the expectations and waiting that did not yield results (or have not yielded results) in 2015. It represents my sad moments, the disappointments I faced while expecting and waiting—and, of course, the sad realities that I was forced to embrace. I battled briefly with London’s winter before getting acclimatized to the weather. Those moments were not funny. That cold is deadly. There is no cold in Nigeria. No, Nigeria is hot. Winter is not a great guy!
I had some of my writings rejected this year. The rejection letters were polite. However, some of the rejected works were accepted for publications elsewhere.

The picture represents my moments of anxiety that sometimes left me depressed. It represents a project I started about a year ago that is yet to materialize. I have not given up. I am here. Waiting.
The picture represents a major work from about 2 years (or is it 3 years ago?) which is yet to materialize. I have not given up. I am here. Waiting. 

The picture represents the horror that happened right before me about two weeks ago. Two young cyclists collided and crashed on the highway. I stopped and got a cyclist to bring out the body of one of the victims who was bleeding profusely in the gutter. We took them to a nearby hospital. The one that sustained an injury on the head died. As soon as a nurse confirmed him dead, I rushed to him and shook him. I checked his hands, his heartbeat—he had stopped. I gave up and rushed back to the victim who was still alive and bleeding and pleaded with the nurse to save him. We were asked to carry the body inside an emergency ward. We did. By that time, too many people had gathered. The wailing of strangers—mostly women, drowned the place. I left there a broken man. The gory images of those victims hunted me for days. In Nigeria, death is cheap, but life is cheaper. Why do cyclists ride without helmets and proper safety kits in Nigeria? We kill ourselves here. I tell you, a lot of deaths are avoidable. But it seems to me that we love to die, blame the government, and then party at funerals. Who knows?

All these sad and not-so-great experiences defeated me in 2015. They defeated my joy. They defeated my emotions and made me question myself and my intentions. In spite of all these, I am still here. Alive. Expecting. Waiting.

I appreciate my family at Mangrove House
I appreciate my family at Praxis.
I appreciate my family at Apotheosis Art House.
I appreciate my family at AIFCE.
I appreciate my family at Anambra Book & Creativity Network.
I appreciate my family at Chancellors, Kingston upon Thames, SW London & Coventry.
I will not fail to thank you all, my friends and acquaintances, for the love and support you’ve shown me this year. I see them. I appreciate them. Please, continue to support my art.
Here’s wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Thank You.
Daalu nu.

© Echezonachukwu Nduka 2015





Sunday 13 December 2015

CONFESSION


















A bloody strand of hair sits on her head
Like the twinge of a tale.
Many roads stretch their planes
Into distances in her mind begging to be travelled.
A forgone apology seeps out of her eyes as tears
And a dirge pours out of the precipice that rules the night.
She kisses me goodnight and the world’s drugs expires at gunpoint.
The world lies still in a theatre and no surgeon is in sight.
                        
© Echezonachukwu Nduka 2015

Friday 28 August 2015

“I am inspired by my life experiences.” –Asikey



Asikey Albright George, better known by her stage name “Asikey” is one of the new soulful voices that are expanding the frontiers of Nigeria’s booming music industry. Born in Ogun State, she hails from Rivers State and has recently completed the requirements for the award of Bachelor’s Degree in History and International Relations from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Following her recent impressive outing with her sonorous song “Let Us Be” which was released under Pendulum Records where she is an artiste, Asikey talks to Apotheosis Art House about her music and career prospects.


First, let me congratulate you on your new single "Let Us Be". I think the song is soulful and you have an amazing voice. Congratulations.

Thank You.

You are welcome. Obviously, "Let Us Be" is not your first ever recorded song. Which of your songs would you say has been most successful out there?

Oh, it’s got to be “Let Us Be”. But one of them, "So Far So Good" really did well for itself even without a push.

Of course, and I like to think that making a music video boosts the visibility of a song to a large extent. How exactly did you feel when you saw yourself on SoundCity?

(Laughs) Okay, technically I haven’t "seen" myself on SoundCity (laughs). I have not really watched TV in months. But being on SoundCity was/is a very big step for me. I was so happy at the news. It was something I anticipated for a little while.

As it seems, you are being promoted by Pendulum Records, a label you are signed to. Was the process of getting signed to your record label a rigorous one? How did this happen?

Okay. It wasn’t rigorous, really. It was just a tough decision to make. It took me weeks and devotion to a lot of research. My older sister gave the CEO one of my songs and he reached out to me personally. He happens to be childhood friends with my older sister.

So, at what point in your life did you realize you could be a singer and at what point did you take the decision to start singing professionally?

Not too long ago, really (laughs). In 2013, I decided to take music seriously and the same year, the next month, I recorded my first song.

Great! This suggests you had already started studying History and International Relations before you started singing. Looking back now, if you had the chance and choice, would you have preferred to study Music rather than History and International Relations?

No. Certainly not. I would most likely take as much short classes and do whatever to get better at what I do but I don’t know about studying music. No regrets.

Why not? Do you think it would have been a waste of time and resources?

Not really. I don’t know about that. Right now, I just don’t think it would have been a wise choice especially in the University of Nigeria. I am pretty sure that as a non-music student, I have given more of myself to my craft than the average music student.






















 The first time I heard you perform was in August 2014 when Poetry Friday hosted my birthday at Marlima, UNN. You played the guitar while you sang and I thought that was lovely. Do you write your songs? And should I assume you also started playing the guitar in 2013?

(Laughs) Thank you. Yes I started writing really seriously at 15. I started playing the guitar in 2011.

So, how do you get your inspiration? And how often do you write songs?

When I am at home, I write pretty often. In school, I write when I consciously put myself up to it. I am inspired by my life experiences and that of others around me.

Artistes are often wont to express themselves via their art and this trait is likely going to stop only when the world ends. So, should we assume that your song "Let Us Be" which basically talks about being different and being misunderstood is about your personal experience or feeling?

Yes. I have had to explain this to a lot of people (Laughs). Recently, a friend of mine asked me about the lyrics and I told him it’s about my personal experience. I also know there are lots of people out there who have not "fit in" once in a while because of some things about them that people can’t just simply accept or ignore. Not to go into details but I was a really different kind of kid while growing up and somehow I felt I didn’t fit in. People have given me the opinion too that I am not the norm. Fine. I know there are others out there facing the same; kids, adults, etc.

A friend of mine also told me that “Let Us Be” could be used as LGBT anthem (Laughs). I would stop at saying that anyone feeling misunderstood is totally allowed to use “Let Us Be” as an Anthem any day.

It could be a bit discouraging to live and work in a society where you are judged for being different, as it were. Many people do not understand that all of us must not be the same and that diversity adds beauty and colour to the world. If the entire human race were to be the same, the world would have been boring. That said, I am still striving to follow the narrative of your music video. How did you come by it? It seems to be telling a story that tends to be a discordance of sorts to what you are singing about?

(Laughs). My hands are totally out of the video matter. The director, Promise Charles would answer that best. To be sincere, I loved the script for the video when I saw it. I'll leave it at that (Laughs).

Asikey, you are a soulful singer. Your emotions reflect in your music. Tell me, who do you often listen to? If you receive an invite by the BBC or CNN to come on air, talk about your music and most importantly to do a cover, whose song would you cover?

Yaaay! (Laughs). I listen to every good work of art I come across. You want to hear names? Asa, Brymo, Bez, Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, the list is endless. I didn’t think this through and I am sure my answer may be different if you ask me tomorrow, but I may want to Cover "I see Fire" by Ed Sheeran.


So do you take any cautious measures to preserve your voice? In addition, how often do you practice? Do you keep a strict schedule?

Nothing strict, recently. In 2013, I was very strict. I had a practice schedule. 1am every day I would lock myself in a room and I won’t be out for hours. I spent those hours studying, practicing guitar, writing, etc. I think I would return to that as soon as possible.

That’ll be apt considering the fact that you are currently on a pedestal. I'm sure you don't want to have a poor performance if you are invited to perform anywhere. So, which musician would you love to work with in years to come? Should I take the aforementioned names as your response?

(Laughs) Yes. You sure can take some. Just take note of Brymo, I love him (Laughs). I cannot work with all the acts I love because they are just too many. Two lifetimes won’t be enough.

Oh well, you are right. So in 2015 you have your first music video and so many lights are beginning to beam in your direction. I think five years will be enough to see you evolve greatly in Nigeria's booming Music Industry. So, where do you see yourself in 2020?

In 2020 I’ll still be making progress even though I am pretty sure I would still be at a spot many would be contented with.


Beyond your penchant for music and history, what else fascinates you Asikey?

Art and science. I think these things shape the entire world. I love paintings and I paint for fun (Laughs). I would love to visit the Louvre Museum in Paris ASAP! I love science too. My favourite scientist is Sir Isaac Newton.

Oh well, music is also science, in a sense. That'll be all for now, Asikey. Thank you so much for your time. Any closing remarks for your fans and our readers?

Fans huh?! (Laughs). I like to call them family. I just want to appreciate them as always. It’s really amazing to find out that some people out there just love you and nothing feels better than that. I want to say I love them with all my heart! Thanks.



Please click on this link to download Asikey’s new single: http://notjustok.com/2015/08/07/video-asikey-let-us-be/