Ties between artists in Detroit and Zimbabwe have continued to grow through a cultural exchange programme created in 2013.
The idea of a cultural exchange was brought about by Mitch Cope, Gina Reichert and Chido Johnson, a Zimbabwean artist and professor at Detroit University in 2010. In 2011, local artists and curators like Kumbulani Zamuchiya and Dr. Naomie Nyanungo, as well as Johnson, discussed projects that led to the creation of Zimbabwe Cultural Centre in Detroit (ZCCD).
“ZCCD as a name and a physical space started in 2013. Our first exchanges under ZCCD was an exhibit titled ‘Kumusha’. This exhibit was looking at two domestic homes as consulates, one in Detroit (the location of ZCCD) and a house in Warren Park, Harare, where collaborator Kumbulani Zamuchiya resides,” said ZCCD consular in Detroit, Chido Johnson.
“Together with Elizabeth Muusha, and Nontsikelelo Mutiti, an artist also from Zimbabwe based in Brooklyn, New York, we curated this dual exhibit at Public Pool in Detroit and Delta Gallery in Harare. This exhibit began the collaborative interactions with artists from both spaces. Since then there have been more collaborators and partners enriching these exchanges,” added Johnson.
ZCCD also partnered with Njelele Art Station to set up the physical exchanges between artists from both spaces. The first artist from Detroit was Haleem ‘Strings’ Rasul who started an exchange with Franco Dhaka aka ‘Slomo’ on a project titled ‘Jit’. This exchange was made possible by connecting with Plot Mhako and Jibilka Dance Trust.
“Presently, Zimbabwean artist, Masimba Hwati, is working on his research in Detroit. To make this exchange possible ZCCD partnered with Popps Packing, a fully equipped residence space in Detroit and the Penny Stamp Visiting Artist Program through the University of Michigan. This is a selective narrative of people and institutions partnering and collaborating to make the platform of ZCCD possible.”
Johnson says the idea was inspired by shared sentiments, existing relationships, and the need to shift dominant views in the arts industry. “During the liberation struggle, Zimbabwe became a symbol of freedom from Detroit.”
“Detroit musician, Stevie Wonder, in the lyrics of ‘Master Blaster’ written before independence proclaims, ‘Peace has come to Zimbabwe… ‘Cause we’ve only just begun.’ In these lyrics Zimbabwe was not ‘they’ but rather ‘we.’ Then there are those odd connections like ‘Jit’, whose chronological history and dance movement are mirrored though very different music and places.”
