Dread Scott and John Akomfrah: Slave Rebellion Reenactment
Antenna – New Orleans, Louisiana
November 8 – 9, 2019
Production | Exhibition Grant
Slave Rebellion Reenactment retraced the 26-mile path of the 1811 German Coast Uprising, the largest slave revolt in American history. Historically excluded from such collective reenactments of identity, African Americans have been expected to accept the traumas of slavery with few opportunities to rewrite the narrative. Dread Scott and John Akomfrah’s momentous project does just that. After discovering that the 1811 uprising attempted—and could have succeeded—in destabilizing the slave economy and establishing a new government, Scott knew that the project of reenacting the revolt could change people’s lives. As Scott pointed out, “many enslaved people who were part of the 1811 revolt are unsung heroes: their vision, if known more widely, would inspire many.”
Five hundred people formed the army of the enslaved, whose two-day march was organized by Scott and documented by Akomfrah and Smoking Dog Films. Through a process of peer-to-peer recruitment and word of mouth, community sewing workshops, and many outreach events and meetings, local residents (some of whom are descendants of the original 1811 slave rebels) came together to perform a profound gesture of historical resistance. The resulting film will memorialize the ephemeral freedom march, making it accessible to audiences around the world.
Slave Rebellion Reenactment promises to be a landmark in the history of art, setting a new standard for socially engaged practice and a formidable precedent for research-driven projects. VIA is proud to have supported the early stages of this project through an Incubator grant in 2016. The flourishing of this important concept from small initiative to gigantic undertaking testifies to VIA’s commitment to cultivating visionary projects at all stages of their inception and across our grantmaking programs.
For more information please visit Slave Rebellion Reenactment.
Images:
Photo credit: Soul Brother
