Otobong Nkanga is a Nigerian-born, Belgium-based artist whose work explores the relationship between Africa and the Western world, with a special focus on how minerals from sub-Saharan Africa are transported through various covert economies and transformed into desirable consumer objects.

In 2018, MCA Chicago presented Otobong Nkanga: To Dig a Hole that Collapses Again as part of its Ascendant Artis series.  The centerpiece of the exhibition was a site-specific work titled Anamnesis, which consisted of a free-standing white wall with an undulating river-like shape flowing around it. Recessed into the river are the spices most commonly imported to Chicago, including cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, cumin, pepper, and vanilla.

Working from the artist’s sketch, Field Guide developed the fabrication and installation strategy for the piece.  In collaboration with the museum’s team and millworker subcontractors, a strategy was developed for the layered fabrication of the object, as well as a fabrication sequence to facilitate the artist’s on-site preparation of the river of spices. The end result was a striking centerpiece for the exhibition, with a river of spices whose aromas filled the galleries.

All  images copyright and courtesy of the artist and MCA Chicago.
Installation views, Otobong Nkanga: To Dig a Hole That Collapses Again
March 31-Spetember 2, 2018
All Photos: Nathan Keay, © MCA Chicago
Work shown: Anamnesis