O Chefe Está a Falar, 2023
cnc cut plywood treated through burning and varnish staining; dowel rod and wood detailing spray painted in gold and burnt, chiffon, fringe, plastic rope
João Lourenço addessing the Nation
a deconstructed replica of a speech podium – originally with a screen – used by the MPLA, this work studies the means and actualization of dissemination of party’s propaganda. through the eternalisation of the moment of the speech, space is allowed for such instance to be dissected as instigative of adoration, cultuation and inculcation – assimilating to codes particular to religiousity. examining the notion of Patria as a place removed from the walkable land and processing the ritualistic effort of bridging between the two, O Chefe Está a Falar draws the line between political speech-giving in an authoritarian totalising system to the dissemination of the gospel and adoration of the divine.