Opening night - 5 March 2022- 19:00 - 22:00

Limited spaces: Register yourself here

How is technological innovation dependent on raw materials? This question is centre-stage in the exhibition Charging Myths by On-Trade-Off. This artists-collective traces the origins of lithium by starting from Manono (Democratic Republic of the Congo). The former mining town, where the colonial past is still tangible, is getting ready to be a key player in the race towards green energy.

Presenting lithium as the new gold, this exhibition explores its history and future, as well as the various myths surrounding electricity, energy and the exploitation of minerals. A great many minerals (lithium, cobalt, …) help to sustain our modern lifestyle, through their application in the latest smartphones, solar panels, electric cars and so on. At the same time, their exploitation relies on unfair labour conditions, which imply little attention for ethics, health or the environment. Often, the interrelated mining efforts give rise to violence, corruption and ethnic conflicts, causing inequality to grow. This process reveals a paradoxical trade-off: while we are inundated by ‘inexpensive’ and ‘sustainable’ technology, local communities struggle with a chronic lack of such basic needs as energy and electricity.

On-Trade-Off maps production chains and unravels social, political and ecological aspects of the global economy. The exhibition presents new works that were developed during residencies and research in various locations, with Manono serving as shared point of departure.

Artists: Alexis Destoop, Marjolijn Dijkman, Pélagie Gbaguidi, Femke Herregraven, Dorine Mokha (†2021) & Elia Rediger, Jean Katambayi Mukendi, Musasa, Alain Nsenga, Georges Senga, Tétshim & Frank Mukunday, Pamela Tulizo, Maarten Vanden Eynde

Curators: the artists & Ils Huygens

The same night, artists from Currents#9: Mother(Land) will also be present for the finissage of their exhibition.

Please note that due to Covid restrictions, spaces are limited so registration is mandatory. This is a Covid Safe event, so bring your mask and Covid Certificate.

More info about On-Trade-Off and the exhibition on https://www.z33.be and enoughroomforspace.org

The exhibition is a co-production of Z33 (Hasselt) & Framer Framed (Amsterdam). On-Trade-Off is an artist project initiated by Picha (Lubumbashi) & Enough Room for Space (Brussels).