MAMBOKADZI AFRICAN PLAYING CARDS

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MAMBOKADZI is a deck of playing cards re-imagined and presented as an interactive art exhibition exploring Bantu cultural symbols and femininity. Derived from the Shona word 'Mambokadzi' - meaning Queens - the playing card project was developed during the 2016 Faku'gesi African Innovation Festival. Through an integration of expertise in Graphic Design, Augmented Reality, Game Design and Interactive Arts, this project seeks to explore ideals of modern African art and gaming experiences. Funded by Pro Helvetia, the project launched during August 2016 - Woman's Month in South Africa. It opened as an art exhibition on 27 August 2016 at the Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct (Johannesburg, South Africa) & ran until 31 August 2016. In 2017, I was fortunate to present & exhibit MAMBOKADZI at the Museums & the Web Conference in Cleveland, Ohio, USA

The project is a collective collaboration conceptualised, art directed and curated by

Mr MediaX // New Media Artist // South Africa

Vuyi Chaza // Graphic Designer & Social Media Consultant // Zimbabwe

Regina Kgatle // Game Developer // South Africa

Modelled by Phindile Thengeni & narrated by Chido Maparutsa

Event Photography by Olivia Shihambe

-- SYMBOLS & INTERPRETATIONS --

Ubuntu is a bantu concept centered around the communal belief system of a universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity. A prevalent phrase accredited to the philosophy can be found within Zulu culture that says “umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu” translated to mean that a person is a person because of others

Uhuru is a Swahili word that translates to freedom and independence in English. "It is not yet uhuru" is a phrase that is often used amoungs sub saharan Africans to highlight the long route that those before us embarked on. Freedom is an experience, not a phrase

Hunhu describes the state of being. Within that being, one is able to respect the state of anothers spirit. Within respecting that spirit, you are able to be part of that person’s spirit

Tsoga is a common word in the Southern African languages of Tswane, Pedi and Sotho meaning to be woke/enlightened. Tsoga is particularly relevant to our context as young enlightened Africans who have certain privileges that have come with living in post-colonial times, but still find ourselves limited to systematic structures that often compromise and undermine our abilities and freedom. The Tsoga sign symbolizes the collective awakening of a generation