What am I doing

What am I doing? Here is a short summary. Initially, my project aimed to explore Congolese instruments. During this research, I rediscovered the Kisanji, an instrument with which I was already familiar. In an effort to deepen my connection with this instrument and acquire more knowledge about it, I made the decision to make one myself. Furthermore, at some point along the journey, I desided to make a song featuring the Kisanji. As I embarked on crafting the Kisanji, I sourced calabashes from Marktplaats, aligning with my research that highlighted their frequent use in creating the instrument. At the woodworking station, I carefully cut the calabashes in half and made wooden "lids" for them. With the intention of creating a song, I took an unconventional approach by creating the album artwork before composing the music, intrigued by the idea of exploring how visual elements could influence the music experience. To delve into this concept, I produced approximately 10 visual research pieces.

Right now, I am adorning the Kisanji with elements that I personally find aesthetically pleasing—such as flowers, plants, corals, sea-related items, and organic shapes, including strands of my own hair. I'm using hair because I want to add a piece of myself into the piece, my hair is a very important part of my identity. This creative choice serves as a response to the unsettling events happening globally. The decision to embellish the instrument with "beautiful" elements emerged shortly after the recent election results, driven by a desire to craft something visually appealing and emotionally uplifting.

My inspiration to incorporate flowers into the decoration was sparked by attending an orchestra performance that integrated floral arrangements into its decor. Right now, I am crafting the album art. For the cover, I plan to paint a piece that mirrors the adornments on the Kisanji, envisioning it as a visually striking addition to a potential art gallery display.