The Memory Performer by Mahoutondji Kinmagbo
As part of the Afropean Intelligence Residency Program.
Challenge “Digital Lukasa: An Intelligent Archival Tablet”
The selected project
The Memory Performer
The Memory Performer is an artistic project that reimagines the traditional Luba memory tablet, the Lukasa, as a digital device. The project aims to preserve culture and community memory in the DRC through artificial intelligence.
The work consists of a 3D replica of a Lukasa equipped with touch sensors, connected to a game engine. By interacting with the tablet, users activate stories inspired by the Luba oral tradition. These stories, narrated by a 3D character, address contemporary urban challenges.
This project lies at the intersection of AI and cultural preservation. It transforms memory practices into living cultural performances, offering a new form of embodied and collaborative digital experience.
Host institution
Krithika Art Projects, Kinshasa (CD)
European partner
Africa Museum, Tervuren (BE)
The artist
Mahoutondji Kinmagbo
Mahoutondji Kinmagbo is a new media artist. His work explores the intersection of African heritage and technology. He uses immersive storytelling and speculative projects to reimagine traditions and question colonial narratives. His works preserve cultural histories and explore identity, memory, and the evolution of culture in the digital age.
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& Check-out the other selected projects for the Afropean Intelligence Residency Program:
+ Challenge 1: Intercultural AI: Weaving Worlds through Art and Algorithms | “Untangler: Worlds Reimagined” – Peace Olatunji
+ Challenge 1bis: “Decoding Egwu: reclaiming indigenous intelligence through AI, dance and Igbo” – Emmanuel Ndefo & Dan Xu
+ Challenge 3: Plural Computation | “The Affogbolo’s Home” – Pierre-Christophe Gam
+ Challenge 4: Psychogeography and the Influence of AI | “Bursting the last bubble” – Tamer Elshabrawy
+ Challenge 5: Archives & Memory | “Adorned memory: Reimagining Egyptian Indigenous Archives Through Jewellery” – Khanya Mthethwa
+ Challenge 6: ZaZi: An African Educational AI Model | “LORAS AS AN ARCHIVE – A LIVING ARCHIVE” – Evans Akanyijuka
+ Challenge 7: Beyond Borders: AI, Climate, and Resource Justice in Africa | “Cry To The Water” – Chipo Mapondera
+ Challenge 9: Provenance and Social Memory | “TERRITOIRE TISSé: Art Royal Kuba entre tradition et (R)évolution” – Melisa Kayowa
+ Challenge 10: Futurism and Geolocation | “Mobility as Memory: a decolonial AI cartography of Kinshasa” – Chinedum Muotto
+ Afropean Intelligence is bringing together 10 cultural organizations across Africa and Europe:
