Lisson Gallery to Host US Premiere of John Akomfrah’s 'Canto VI' in New York
Lisson Gallery in New York is presenting the US premiere of John Akomfrah’s Canto VI. The eight-channel HD video installation with surround sound forms the sixth canto from his series Listening All Night To The Rain. It interweaves archival footage of the Mau Mau rebellion in Kenya, scenes from the 1947 Partition of India, and contemporary visuals to challenge mainstream historical narratives.
The Signal
The work draws structural and sonic influence from Ezra Pound’s The Cantos, incorporating Billie Holiday’s ‘Gloomy Sunday’ and other layered audio elements. Akomfrah uses this format to connect disparate colonial histories from the 1940s to the 1970s while preserving their distinct character. The installation positions viewers inside an alternative historical flow that foregrounds marginalised voices.
- Artists: John Akomfrah
- Galleries: Lisson Gallery
- Locations: New York
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