COUNTDOWN TO IAU GA 2024:
About
Africa Look Up to the Arts
Description of the campaign
The goal of the #AfricaLookUp Campaign is to inspire a mindset of active engagement and
appreciation, urging individuals to go beyond casual observation and truly embrace the
profound beauty and significance of the African night skies.
This campaign seeks to motivate people throughout the continent to pause, gaze at the night
skies, and appreciate the magnificence of our shared African skies, while drawing inspiration
from the marvels of the universe.
Objectives of the #AfricaLookUp
Literal meaning: the campaign aims to inspire individuals to take a moment to truly appreciate
the breathtaking beauty and marvels of the sky. It encourages people not only to glance at the
skies but to truly observe and value the awe-inspiring wonders they behold. By engaging in this
simple act, it is hoped that their curiosity will flourish, leading to a deeper appreciation and
passion for the field of astronomy.
Figurative meaning: #AfricaLookup campaign goes beyond its literal interpretation. While it still
encourages people to observe the skies, it symbolises a call to actively seek and appreciate the
extraordinary aspects of life, just as one would gaze at the vast expanse of the African sky. It
prompts individuals to cultivate a mindset of wonder, curiosity, and appreciation, not only
towards astronomy but also towards the beauty, diversity, and richness that exists in the world
around them. It serves as a reminder to pause, reflect, and embrace the extraordinary moments
and experiences that life has to offer.
The #AfricaLookup campaign aims to inspire individuals to adopt a mindset of hope and courage
by encouraging them to look up. It encourages people to transcend the limitations and
obstacles that may surround them and strive for more, striving for better. Africa, often
associated with challenges and difficulties, becomes a metaphor for overcoming adversity. The
campaign seeks to change not only the narrative surrounding Africa but also the personal
narratives of individuals. It urges people to believe in themselves and their potential for growth
and success, regardless of their circumstances. By looking up and embracing a positive outlook,
the campaign seeks to foster resilience, determination, and a belief in the possibility of a
brighter future.
Showcasing Africa’s potential: The #AfricaLookup campaign serves as a platform to showcase
Africa's immense potential in the field of astronomy and beyond. It aims to highlight various
aspects such as the development of infrastructure, research achievements, and the rich history
of indigenous African communities' relationship with astronomy. Additionally, the campaign
seeks to capture the breathtaking landscapes, astronomical images and any other artistic
expression inspired by different regions of Africa.
Through this campaign, the intention is to demonstrate Africa's capabilities to the world,
shifting the prevailing narrative and dispelling misconceptions. The campaign also extends an
invitation to individuals worldwide to participate and contribute by sharing their own
experiences and encounters with astronomy in Africa, as well as their interactions with its
people. By doing so, the campaign strives to showcase Africa's diversity, cultural richness, and
the wealth of opportunities it holds.
In essence, the #AfricaLookup campaign endeavours to change the narrative about Africa,
shedding light on its vast potential and inspiring global recognition that Africa is more than what
is often portrayed or perceived.
Africa Look up to the Arts (ALUTTA)
Astronomy extends far beyond scientific facts and data; it embraces wonder and imagination.
Enriching the #AfricaLookUp campaign with artistic elements is a compelling way to add depth
and engagement to the initiative. Here are some compelling ideas on how to seamlessly
integrate the arts:
Art exhibitions: Organise art exhibitions that feature works inspired by the beauty of African
skies and astronomy. Artists can create installations displaying any type of artistic expression,
including traditional fine art (drawing, paintings, sculptures, poetry etc), performance art
(music, dance, theatre, spoken word/storytelling) astrophotography, filmmaking or any
multi-media pieces that reflect their interpretations of the celestial wonders. These exhibitions
can be held in galleries, community spaces, or even online platforms. They can be full length /
pop-up installations depending on the scale of the exhibition/event. More details on possible
events.
Poetry and spoken word events: Host poetry or spoken word events where participants can
share their written works or performances inspired by astronomy, the night skies, and their
personal connections to Africa. These events can take place in local venues, schools, or even
online platforms, allowing for a diverse range of voices and perspectives to be heard.
Music collaborations: Collaborate with musicians and composers to create original
compositions or performances that evoke the spirit of Africa's skies and the sense of wonder
associated with astronomy. This can involve traditional African instruments, contemporary
music styles, or fusion of different genres to create a unique and captivating musical experience.
Theatre and storytelling: Create theatrical performances or storytelling sessions that weave
together African folklore, mythology, and astronomical themes. These performances can
explore indigenous African knowledge systems, cultural beliefs, and the relationship between
humans and the cosmos, captivating audiences with captivating narratives and performances.
Film screenings: Organize screenings of films or documentaries that showcase the beauty of
African landscapes, highlight astronomical discoveries made in Africa, or explore the cultural
significance of astronomy within African communities. This can include both existing films and
productions specifically created for the #AfricaLookUp campaign.
Online art challenges: Initiate online art challenges where participants can create, and share
artwork related to the campaign using specific hashtags. This can encourage a wider
participation from artists across Africa and beyond, fostering a sense of community and
creativity. One piece per month could be chosen for a small monetary reward, with each month
dedicated to a different art-form.
Collaborative art projects: Engage local communities and schools in collaborative art projects
that involve creating murals, installations, or public art pieces centered around the theme of
African skies and astronomy. This can be a way to bring people together, inspire creativity, and
create lasting visual representations of the campaign's message.
It is important to ensure inclusivity and diverse representation in all artistic endeavours,
celebrating the richness of African cultures and promoting cross-cultural exchange. The arts can
be a powerful tool in connecting people, evoking emotions, and conveying the message of the
#AfricaLookUp campaign in a visually and emotionally compelling way.
Projects underway:
1. Online competitions
The first part includes hosting an African-driven astronomy-related online art competition
leading up to the GA2024, whose winners will be invited to present their work live at the
conference gala dinner. This project will be part of the broader #AfricaLookUpToTheArts
Challenge, which seeks to foster a sense of community, creativity and appreciation for the
African astronomical landscape through artistic expression. African artists will be invited to
submit artwork inspired by the sense of wonder associated with astronomy and the spirit of the
African skies. Art-forms of any type will be welcome. Submissions will be online and categorized
by general art-form (eg, 2D for paintings/drawings/photographs etc, performance for
dance/music, 3D for sculptures/interactive displays, video/animation, etc etc). The top
submission from each category will be chosen to be presented by the artist at the conference
gala dinner. In addition, an exhibition space will be set up during the conference so that the
artists can physically display their work (and/or performances). The artists will have the
opportunity to give a short audio/visual talk or presentation that showcases and explains their
work, its inspiration and meaning etc. For those artists that cannot physically bring
themselves/their work down to the conference in person, high quality photos/prints of their
work will be displayed in the exhibition and a pre-recorded talk+presentation will be screened in
their place. The submissions not chosen to be presented live can be put into a video montage to
be played at the conference venue.
2. ALUTTA Open nights
This part of the project involves hosting events similar to the "SAAO Open Nights," merging the
worlds of Astronomy and Art. Theevent will feature a blend of Spoken Art, including poetry and
storytelling, interwoven with a Science talk. The program will be thoughtfully structured,
beginning with a science talk, followed by a Spoken Art session, and closing off the first segment
with a stargazing experience under the night sky. In the second session, with the hope that the
artists have been inspired by the celestial beauty of Cape Town's night sky, we will urge and
support them in sharing their creations and performances with the audience. This will foster a
harmonious exchange of ideas and expressions, where the magic of the stars aligns with the
creativity of our artists to captivate and connect with our engaged audience.
3. Astronomy Workshops
We are committed to hosting content-specific workshops designed to bridge the knowledge gap
for our artists. These workshops will equip them with a deeper understanding of astronomy,
empowering them to become project ambassadors. With this knowledge, artists can seamlessly
integrate educational elements into their art wherever they perform, effectively becoming
conduits for spreading awareness and appreciation of the universe through their creative
expressions. Our mission is to foster a community of artist-educators who use their talents to
educate and inspire, making astronomy and science more accessible to all and kindle a
profound appreciation for the mysteries of the universe among all who encounter our
initiatives
...Read more
Registration
Registration now open, book now.
Please note that the #AfricaLookUp Open night starts at 20:00 until 22:00. Kindly note that the event is open to all ages, and kids are welcome.
