Victoria-Idongesit Udondian's 'Kayeyei: Archive embodied' Performance at Venice Biennale
Victoria-Idongesit Udondian to Present Live Performance of "Kayeyei: Archive embodied" During Venice Biennale Preview Week
BenzingaImage: Benzinga
Nigerian-American artist Victoria-Idongesit Udondian will present her performance 'Kayeyei: Archive embodied' on May 7, 2026, at the European Cultural Centre in Venice, Italy, during the Venice Biennale preview week. The performance explores themes of migration, labor, and the global secondhand clothing trade, transforming the body into a living archive.
- 01Victoria-Idongesit Udondian's performance highlights the impact of the global secondhand clothing trade.
- 02The performance takes place on May 7, 2026, at the European Cultural Centre in Venice.
- 03The title 'Kayeyei' refers to women porters in Ghana, emphasizing themes of labor and burden.
- 04The event is part of the 1922 Revisited program, which reflects on the historical legacy of the Venice Biennale.
- 05Udondian's work has been recognized internationally and addresses systems of labor and migration.
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Victoria-Idongesit Udondian, a Nigerian-American artist, will showcase her durational performance 'Kayeyei: Archive embodied' on May 7, 2026, from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM CEST at the European Cultural Centre in Venice, Italy, during the Venice Biennale preview week. This performance is part of the 1922 Revisited program, which engages with the historical context of the 1922 Venice Biennale exhibition of African sculpture. Through the act of layering secondhand garments, Udondian transforms the body into a living archive, exploring themes of migration, labor, and the global secondhand clothing trade, particularly referencing the Kantamanto Market in Accra, Ghana. The title 'Kayeyei' reflects the experiences of women porters in Ghanaian markets, symbolizing the burdens they carry in search of labor opportunities. Curated by Dr. Janine A. Sytsma, the performance aims to make material histories tangible and present, turning clothing into a metaphor for memory and identity. The event is supported by various cultural organizations, including the African Art in Venice Forum and the Centre for Contemporary Art Lagos.
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The performance raises awareness about the global secondhand clothing trade and its implications for labor and migration, encouraging local audiences to reflect on their consumption habits.
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