The Last Place They Thought Of

With works by Mónica de Miranda, Ophélie Mac Coco, Godelive Kasangati Kabena, Zohra Opoku, Gaëlle Choisne, Michèle Magema, Soñ Gweha, Lungiswa Gqunta, Maria Muehombo (M I M I) and melissandre varin. Curated by Sorana Munsya.

Titled The Last Place They Thought Of, this exhibition showcases installations, photography, paintings, and drawings that invite reflection on the possibility of a Black conceptualization of geography, challenging what scholar Katherine McKittrick describes as "traditional geography."

Traditional geography often portrays space as transparent, emphasizing rationality and Cartesian logic while prioritizing the visible and measurable. This perspective neglects the idea of spatial opacity and the narratives embedded within it, pushing them to the margins.

This project, inspired by the thoughts and works of the participating artists, seeks to examine notions of territory and space through a Black female lens. Each artist approaches territory from their perspective as Black women, presenting rarely told stories and using the opacity of marginality as a foundation to reconsider geography. By adopting a relational view of territory, the project delves into themes such as the body, nature, landscape, and fugitivity, unsettling conventional understandings of geography.

This reimagined geography integrates the lived experiences of Black individuals—particularly Black women—into the analysis and creation of space and place.

In this context, elements often deemed subjective—imagination, dreams, care, spirituality, and tradition—become central to the artists' practices. Their works transcend boundaries, intertwining personal narratives with marginalized histories. By highlighting the distinctiveness of their perspectives, the artists pave the way for the emergence of new conceptual spaces.

The opening night features a performance by Maria Muehombo & melissandre varin and a musical performance by Soñ Gweha with a DJ set by Agneskena.

The public program of the exhibition consists of talks on December 14 from 1–3:30pm followed by films programmed by Brussels-based collective Black Archive.

1–2pm: talk with Gaëlle Choisne and Michèle Magema
This gathering will discuss how Black women's perspectives on imaginative and experiential dimensions can reshape space, redefine territorial boundaries, and rethink the relationships between center and margin.

2:30–3:30pm: talk with Soñ Gweha
Sorana Munsya will discuss with artist Soñ Gweha their artistic practice and exploration of "in-between" spaces and their potential to reshape concepts of time and space.

4pm: film screenings followed by conversation with Violaine Le Fur
Vertière n’existe pas, Gaëlle Choisne (2018, 12:40 minutes) / À l’Ouest, Violaine Le Fur (2019, 23:00 minutes) / Douvan Jou ka levé, Géssica Généus (2017, 51:00 minutes).

The program in collaboration with Black Archive will continue on January 18, 2025 and February 15, 2025.

With the support of the Flemish Community, Hotel De 3 Paardekens, Academy Mechelen and the City of Mechelen.
In collaboration with Filmhuis and Erfgoed Mechelen.

Team Kunsthal Mechelen: Anne Van de Voorde, Anny Huyghe, Evangelina Habarurema, Jessica Meuleman, Karel Op 't Eynde, Nacho Vargas, Lars Van Vlasselaer, Sarina Bongaerts and coordinator Steven Op de Beeck