TOOLSHED #3: After Library III_SWEET WATER

The After Library brings together live reading, the wearing of clothing, and sound in a collective rehearsal. The garments and the texts from which they originated are connected by a spontaneous gathering of participants from the audience. Guided by Thuli, who leads the readings, and with sound contributions and interventions by Tlotliso, their reading of Patric Tariq Mellet's The Lie of 1652: A Decolonised History of Land forms the starting point. This text is brought into conversation with fragments from other books from the After Library, covering different times, places, and genres. The texts are not only read but also 'worn' in the form of accompanying garments. This creates an embodied dialogue between diverse sources: from queer fiction from southern Africa and revolutionary speeches to black theology and lesser-known sports histories. A loosely developed script, or score, forms the guideline for the whole. The After Library is an experimental library of clothing and books, initiated by Thulile Gamedze and continued in collaboration with Tlotliso Skefu. The project is part of TOOLSHED, the residency and research program of Kunstinstituut Melly.