If Objects Could Speak: A Kenyan Augmented Reality Project Reconciling the Complexities of African Artifacts

If Objects Could Speak: A Kenyan Augmented Reality Project Reconciling the Complexities of African Artifacts

Two filmmakers, Elena and Saitabao, take a Kenyan artifact from a German museum, produce a 3D scan and embark on a journey back to its roots. The only information about the object was that it entered the museum in 1903. Why don’t the museums know more about it? European museum cellars are full of African artifacts, they are stored, imprisoned, treated with chemicals – a loss of culture. Because each of them has its own story.

This film takes you on a journey to find answers about this old object from the Kikuyu tribe. With a digital art installation in their package, Elena and Saitabao started a new conversation about the issue of colonial belongings, identity, fear and anger in Kenya.

The project combines documentary film and an AR installation. The project follows two filmmakers, who take 3 Kenyan artifacts stored in a German museum cellar,  produce 3D scans through an AR installation and embark on a journey to showcase the AR installation across communities in Kenya.

Baruu Collective is a production and creative agency based in Kilifi, Kenya that aims to re-think and reimagine African narratives through cultural heritage vis multi-media platforms such as film, documentaries, comic books, podcasts, and augmented and virtual reality.