It is an experimental film collage and live performance work based on a decidedly African perspective on the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885, in which Western colonial powers divided the African continent into colonial territories. It plays through a division of geographical Europe and thus demonstrates the high degree of external determination of the procedure. In the performance, there is an enactment of a visibly performed division and reorganisation of Europe.

​

What If: A Multimedia Total Theatre Performance on Post-Colonial Reversal and Global Power Dynamics

What If is an ambitious and thought-provoking multimedia total theatre performance that seeks to explore, deconstruct, and reconstruct the global political and economic imbalances that continue to shape the modern world. The project envisions a hypothetical reversal of the colonial structures that have historically subjugated Africa, proposing a radical thought experiment: What if the tables were turned? What if Africa—specifically Nigeria—held the global political, economic, and cultural power traditionally wielded by Western nations? What if the colonial powers were now the colonized? This performance addresses these "what if" questions to critically engage with colonial legacies, challenge existing power structures, and imagine alternative futures.

At its core, What If aims to reframe the narratives of colonization and post-colonization by creating a dystopian inversion where Africa, for once, possesses the authority, agency, and autonomy that have historically been denied to it. Through this speculative performance, the artist, a Nigerian performance artist, choreographer, and curator based in Lagos, seeks to interrogate both the real and imagined consequences of African geopolitical dominance. What would happen if the roles were reversed? If Nigeria were a first-world power, how would the world respond to this shift in the global balance? This speculative reversal serves as a form of critical resistance to the colonial mentality that continues to perpetuate inequality.

The performance is designed to generate questions that go beyond mere theoretical musings, questioning the actual effects of colonialism on both the colonizers and the colonized. It challenges the audience to consider the implications of African empowerment and the potential for a global transformation. Through a complex mix of political commentary, artistic imagery, and emotional resonance, *“What If”* aspires to provoke discussions on humanism, existentialism, racial equality, and socio-political justice on both a local and global scale.

The questions raised in this performance are aimed at addressing some of the most pressing issues facing the modern world: *Would the world be a better place if the global power dynamics shifted?* *Could this new world be free of racial discrimination, gender inequality, and economic disparity?Would there be a genuine commitment to universal development and equal access to basic human rights?* These inquiries aim to create a fertile ground for critical thought and social reflection.

The conceptualization of What If was inspired by the artist's personal experiences with systemic exclusion. In 2012, the artist applied for a UK visa to participate in an international theatre festival but was repeatedly denied despite providing all necessary assurances of return. In contrast, another participant from the UK was granted a visa to visit Nigeria. This experience of political and economic prejudice deeply affected the artist, fueling a desire to address the inherent inequalities between the West and the Global South through art. It was a moment that crystallized the artist’s understanding of the intersection between art, politics, and identity, and galvanized the creation of a piece that would challenge post-colonial realities while imagining a radical and euphoric future for Africa.

The artist’s work is centered on exploring the human condition, with a particular focus on existentialism and essentialism. By confronting the contradictions of post-colonial societies, What If aims to question not just the remnants of colonial oppression, but also the possibility of creating a new, more equitable order. It is through this lens of political art and activism that the project seeks to reimagine the future of Africa and, by extension, the entire world.

To bring the concept of What If to life, the artist intends to conduct an extensive research process that spans multiple geographical and cultural contexts. The primary focus of this research will be on Spain, a nation that historically has not experienced the direct effects of colonialism in the same way as its European counterparts. By immersing in Spanish culture, history, and contemporary socio-political dynamics, the artist aims to gain a nuanced understanding of how the inversion of colonial roles might manifest in a society that is largely unaware of or removed from its colonial past.

Through fieldwork and qualitative research, the artist will engage with various facets of Spanish society, observing the reception of government policies, the socio-economic struggles of different classes, and the cultural values that inform daily life. The artist is particularly interested in conducting interviews with locals from diverse backgrounds, including educated elites, non-educated populations, political analysts, and artists. Conversations with individuals from various walks of life will offer a more holistic understanding of the challenges Spain faces, as well as provide crucial insights into the cultural psyche of a country that has historically occupied the position of the colonizer.

The research will extend beyond urban settings to include visits to rural areas, where the artist will observe local struggles and compare them to those faced by communities in Nigeria and other parts of the Global South. This cross-cultural investigation will enrich the artistic process, enabling the artist to develop an intricate and layered visual language that reflects the complexities of colonial and post-colonial realities.

 The culmination of this research will be a multimedia total theatre performance—a dynamic and immersive artistic event that blends narrative storytelling, music, dance, video projection, and spoken word to create an evocative exploration of the imagined reversal of colonial power. The performance will incorporate dialogues inspired by the collected text materials, interwoven with visual and auditory stimuli drawn from the research process. By combining live performance with multimedia elements, What If will engage the audience in a sensory experience that heightens the emotional and intellectual impact of the themes explored.

The performance will be staged in public spaces, allowing for broad accessibility and engagement with a diverse audience. Through its provocative imagery, *“What If”* seeks to spark conversations on global issues such as inequality, colonial legacies, and the possibilities for a more just and inclusive world order. Ultimately, the project aims to confront the audience with a reimagined future that challenges the status quo, offering both a critique of the past and a vision for a more equitable global community.

In this way, What If stands as a bold artistic intervention into the ongoing discourse on colonialism, power, and human rights, offering a profound examination of the complexities of the modern world and the potential for its radical transformation through collective action, imagination, and artistic expression.

With a lot of imagery, a performance I wish to be shown in public spaces where a large number of people can have access to it.

Performance in Berlin, Hamburg, Bielefeld: Ojudun Taiwo Jacob
Performance in Lagos: Busayo Olowu Isaac, Kate Odiong, Uche ENechukwu Taiwo Ojudun Jacob

Performance in Erlangen: Uche Enechukwu Emmanuel, Taiwo Ojudun Jacob
 

Film: Viki Simone
Music in Film: Pete Nattrass and Blue Saloon
Music in Performance: Simileoluwa Oyewale
Map: Sebastian Loerscher