Sandra Mujinga: Time as a Shield

Mujinga’s exhibition invites viewers into a world shaped by the invisible presence of the past. Inspired by remnants like ghost forests and archaeological traces, her works emphasize how time leaves its mark on all things, reminding us that every being and structure continues to shape our world.

At the heart of the exhibition is Mujinga’s exploration of resilience through bearing witness. In the first room, her “singing trees” fill the space with voices, symbolizing collective memory and the role of elders in passing down histories. The installation contrasts natural imperfections in human voices with the flawless, synthetic precision of AI, presenting an immersive experience of shared memories. Mujinga critically examines modern technologies and their impact on control and surveillance, drawing on Achille Mbembe’s theory of necropolitics.

In the second room, her Shared Breath series presents blended portraits that explore identity and protection. By merging faces of friends and family, Mujinga envisions a future where technologies are used voluntarily for solidarity, while also critiquing the racial biases of facial recognition systems. Her work emphasizes the importance of community in resisting control, presenting new ways of understanding the rapidly changing world.