El Anatsui

is after the sun has set and the day’s work has been
finished. Among the Limba, an ethnic group from Sierra
Leone, a full moon is seen as the optimum opportunity
for storytelling, because people go to bed later during
this time. By creating a moon, El Anatsui might provide
viewers with a new kind of social space within which
viewers may be inspired to share stories with one another.
Looking and Interpreting
• On first glance, what do you think this piece is made
of? Look at this work more closely. What materials do
you see?
• How is this work constructed? How long do you think it might have
taken to put this together? Note: Anatsui has employed a delegation of
labor throughout his career; he currently has more than twenty assistants
who help make his metal wall sculptures.
Connecting and Doing
• Upon seeing Anatsui’s hangings, many people associate them with
kente cloth. Kente cloth is special fabric that was developed in Ghana.
Kings, queens, and other important people wore special designs during
ceremonies and other state occasions. The kente patterns contain many
cultural concepts from history, literature, and political thought, codes of
conduct, moral values, and philosophy. Research kente cloth and create a
piece using a pattern that conveys a message.
• Think about story time in your school or family. Where and when are
these stories told? Are there particular times, places, seasons, or events
where storytelling has been a part of your social interactions, i.e. summer
camp? What kinds of stories have you told or heard?
• El Anatsui’s father and brothers practiced weaving in their spare time.
Several of his brothers composed lyrics for music related to traditional
drumming. What skills have you seen your family members do, i.e. cook,
sew, etc.? Are there skills or traditions that you have learned from your
family members? Are there skills that you hope to learn from your family
members?
EXPLORING CULTURES, STORIES, AND MEMORY 25