Moderator, BoredPanda staff
Beyond work, you’ll catch me traveling, listening to vinyl and diving into movies, art exhibitions, and concerts. I’m a culture buff at heart, always eager to explore and embrace the richness of the human experience.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Wednesday, March 20, the Howard University Moorland-Spingarn Research Center (MSRC) hosted “Archiving Revolution: The Spectacle of Power in Late 20th Century Ghana,” a panel conversation inspired by the “Revolution and Image-making in Postcolonial Ghana (1979-1985)” exhibit in the Howard University Museum featuring photography from Gerald Annan-Forson, whose work documents major political moments in the country.
The MSRC has been instrumental in broadening the conversation of Annan’s work about the political history in Ghana, serving as a testament to the important role archiving plays in preserving history, and how art contributes to political conversations globally. The archive includes over 200,000 negatives and was first displayed in 2022 at the Sharjah Art Foundation in the United Arab Emirates.
A renowned photographer, Annan-Forson spoke candidly of his work and purpose in documenting the history of postcolonial Accra, Ghana. Throughout his 30-plus years of capturing images of the country and its former heads of state during revolutions and coup d’état’s, Annan-Forson witnessed violence and faced hardships. “At one point you ask yourself is being a photographer worth it?” said Annan-Forson. “Following dignitaries was my idea of making the country look good.”
Born in 1947, Annan-Forson began his career as a freelance photographer during the mid 1970s with a focus on Accra, Ghana. The images are roughly chronicled from the late 1970s through the early 1980s and share intimate details of a country’s evolution in a post-colonial era. He photographed subjects ranging from political ceremonies, trials, coups, funerals, and revolution in action, to everyday people from all walks of life.
Other panelists included Ghanian journalist Nana Ama Agyemang Asante, UC San Diego professor of history Bright Gyamfi, Ph.D., cultural anthropologist and Georgetown University professor Kwame Otu, Ph.D., Howard University professor of history Scot Brown, Ph.D., and archivist at the University of Ghana Institute of African Studies Judith Opoku-Boateng.
“Revolution is a question. How do people use the term revolution and what does it mean to radically rethink in an expansive sense, to challenge the form and not the content of how we use language,” said Jesse Shipley, Ph.D., an anthropologist who moderated the panel. “What does it mean to record stories about the past and to think about the past, present, and future in a dynamic relationship, and how can the practice of archiving become radical and revolutionary.”
“The imagery that shows the nuance of [revolutions] is very important because it’s easy for those of us in the diaspora to have a one-dimensional idea about these safe havens that we look for when we think about the global picture,” said Brown. “While I haven’t abandoned the idea that such a place structured in a way that is in the interest of African people can exist and could already exist – maybe we don’t know about it – it’s important for us to encounter something closer to the truth to clarify our imagination.”
The major theme throughout the event was the idea that society is in a pivotal and historical moment. This is a moment of radical possibility, of violence, and of a generation that is trying to rethink the future, explained Shipley. It is increasingly important that we understand how the past reflects and inspires the possibilities of today.
The exhibit showcases numerous photographs by Annan-Forson alongside the equipment used to capture the historical context depicted. It is currently accessible for viewing at the Howard University Museum until the Fall semester.
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About Howard University
Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university comprising 14 schools and colleges. Students pursue more than 140 programs of study leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced three Schwarzman Scholars, four Marshall Scholars, four Rhodes Scholars, 12 Truman Scholars, 25 Pickering Fellows and more than 165 Fulbright recipients. Howard also produces more on-campus African American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University, visit www.howard.edu.
Canon Central and North Africa is thrilled to announce its partnership with KidZania Cairo, to introduce a Canon Photography Studio at KidZania in Cairo, Egypt. The new innovative space is designed to provide children from 8-14 years of age with a unique opportunity to explore the world of photography, learn about Canon’s cutting-edge technology, and unleash their creativity in a fun and interactive environment.
The Canon Photography Studio at KidZania Cairo is set to become a captivating and creative play space where children can engage in a variety of activities related to photography. The aim is to create an immersive experience that not only entertains but also educates and empowers young minds while igniting their creativity
“We are delighted to embark on this exciting collaboration with KidZania Cairo. Canon has always been committed to inspiring creativity and nurturing a passion for technology and innovation. The Canon Photography Studio at KidZania Cairo is more than a play space; it’s a gateway for children to explore the captivating world of photography, learn about leading-edge technology, and, most importantly, have fun while doing so. The indoor city built to scale for kids, is an innovative and educational concept where children can engage in various role-playing activities and simulate real-world jobs and professions. We believe in the power of education through experience, and this collaboration aligns perfectly with our mission to empower the next generation of photographers,” says Amine Djouahra, B2C Business Unit Director, Canon Central and North Africa.
Building upon the success of the Canon Academy Juniors programme, the studio at KidZania Cairo adopts a similar educational empowerment approach tailored to children’s unique scale, level, and language comprehension. Much like the forementioned initiatives, the studio at KidZania Cairo aspires to instil valuable knowledge and empower young minds in a way that resonates with the dynamic and creative world of children.
For many years, Canon has been committed to empowering young people and providing them with tools and opportunities for personal and educational growth. Initiatives like this with KidZania Cairo play a vital role in enabling young people, providing them with opportunities for skills development and access to education, and fostering personal growth.
“The collaboration between KidZania Cairo and Canon marks a significant stride towards enriching educational experiences for children. By integrating Canon’s expertise in photography with KidZania’s immersive learning environment, we are poised to provide a unique platform for young minds to explore the realms of creativity and technology. Together, we aim to inspire the next generation of photographers and creators, equipping them with valuable skills and insights that will shape their future endeavours,” says Ahmed Ibrahim Habib, CEO for KidZania Cairo.
The Canon Photography Studio at KidZania Cairo will feature a diverse range of activities. Children will also learn the art of composing a visually appealing photograph. Through interactive games and activities, they will understand the importance of angles, lighting, and framing.
Additionally, they will get hands-on experience with Canon’s latest technology. After capturing memorable moments, they will have the chance to bring their creations to life by using a Canon printer to print their photographs. Canon and KidZania Cairo are committed to providing children with a unique and enriching experience. Equipped with newfound experience in camera operation, lens variation, and the intricacies of capturing and printing images, children will emerge with a well-rounded skill set that transcends the fundamentals of basic photography. By combining play and learning, the Canon Photography Studio at KidZania Cairo aims to leave a lasting impression on young minds, inspiring the future generation of photographers.
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A documentary about the evacuation of Kabul that features the work of a renowned Royal Navy photographer has been nominated for a Bafta.
Evacuation, which includes film taken by Petty Officer Ben Shread, tells the story of Operation Pitting.
This was the British effort to evacuate British citizens and eligible Afghans from the capital in 2021 amid the resurgence of the Taliban.
Striking images of Op Pitting have already earned PO Shread the Royal Navy’s top photography award.
He was named Royal Navy Photographer of the Year back in 2021 – the same year as the evacuation.
PO Shread later recounted his time in the country, explaining how when he arrived he was the only UK forces photographer in theatre.
He told Forces News: “I’d say it’s probably the highlight of my career, and I’ve had a lot of highlights in my career.
“Watching our men and women in action out there filled me full of pride. It was great for me to be able to tell the stories of those guys out on the ground.”
But he also described the brutal treatment of civilians at the hands of the resurgent Taliban.
“At the beginning when Kabul fell, I think there was quite a moderate version of the Taliban there,” he said.
“As the evacuation process went on, it became a more hardline version of the Taliban there, they were treating the evacuees much worse.
“Sometimes they were beating them with rubber hoses and stuff like that.”
Evacuation, a three-part documentary from Channel 4, is nominated in the Best Factual Series category in the Bafta television awards.
It is going up against rival nominees Dublin Narcos, Lockerbie and Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland.
The British Academy Television Awards, which will be hosted by Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan, take place on Sunday 12 May.
