Mogobe Ramose, philosopher: “Wisdom begins with the realization that our two arms cannot embrace the trunk of the baobab. But if we join forces, it is possible that we can strengthen and enrich each other. Then wisdom is born.”
BIO
At the age of fifteen, my family and I, Seandy Achthoven, born 1966 in Paramaribo, fled from Suriname, seeking refuge from a military regime and created a new home in the Bijlmermeer. Instead of being my true self, my own me, an individual, I found myself othered; still human, but relegated to an inferior category, a faceless group upon which assumptions were carelessly painted solely based on my origin and the hue of my skin and devoid of any clarity as to the traits and ideas ascribed to it.
As time passed, an increasing awareness settled upon me, revealing the treacherous influence of imperialism and Western hegemony, permeating countless narratives globally. This realization, extending to the vast socio-ecological catastrophe born from colonialism, serves as the guiding principle in my art in which I strive to grasp its complete extent and interconnectedness. As Surinamese diaspora, and in this regard, I stand on the shoulders of ancestors from Africa, India, and the Indigenous peoples, the original inhabitants of Suriname.
In many cultures rooted in Africa and Asia, the human community encompass not only the living, but also the deceased, the souls of ancestors, and generations yet to come. This, coupled with the belief that everything is animated and that the individual is deeply embedded in the community, shapes and gives meaning to how one cares for each other and for the environment, how one navigates the past and the future, and how one engages with knowledge and values. The familiar coherence of the animated world unravelled, and I had to find my way a fragmented world where cohesion seemed arbitrary and often short-lived.
Before embarking on my journey at the art academy, I was a co-owner of a physiotherapy practice. Alongside my regular work as a manual therapist, I travelled the world with professional athletes. And I believe that the diverse experiences I gained, particularly in the realm of human understanding, encountering various ways of thinking and feeling, relating from different perspectives, as well as being trained in analytical and academic modes of thought, and raising two children, are valuable assets in my practice as an artist because they fundamentally contribute to my core mission: to connect. There is no you, nor I, without us.
Intercultural philosopher Renate Schepen and I wrote “Kunst, lichaam, context. Hoe Latijns-Amerikaanse filosofie ons denken uitdaagt.” https://isvw.nl/activiteit/kunst-lichaam-context, (art, body, context. How Latin-American philosophy challenges our thinking). The course was scheduled from 2024 april 29 till may 3 at ISVW (Internationale School Voor Wijsbegeerte) in Leusden.
Artist Reflection
I think it’s important to provide the world with more diverse images because not only do we form our worldview based on how history has been told, but our children will also ponder the cosmos through narratives we create now.
In my versatile creative work (collage, painting, writing, drawing, performance, photography) creative work, philosophy plays a significant role in paving the path for empathetic dialogue and understanding. I love Collaboration stemming in diversity and involving other art disciplines precisely because of the unique, specific insights drawn from their personal experiences and outlooks, culture, knowledge, expertise, and tradition. The convergence of creative streams leads to surprises, greater acuity, and innovations. I joint forces with a filmmaker, Theatre practitioner, other fine arts artists, philosopher. I look forward to continuing this wonderful collaboration in new opportunities. Also with new artists in various disciplines.
The artist’s position uniquely enjoys great freedom to be critical of society, independent of any framework, movement, tradition of thought, or religion.
I attach great value to freedom and open-mindedness, and I’m sure you do too. How pleasant it is then to realize that we enjoy that freedom and open-mindedness within our Western paradigm. Then, to reflect on how well are we able to think outside those dominant frameworks about that same freedom and open-mindedness? What freedom and space do dissenters have outside of it? Is it a matter of us granting it to them? Or does it exist? Does it exist and does it not require recognition from the West to know that traditions of thought and freedom are inherently equal for everyone? Who grants freedom and open-mindedness to whom? From which position is there room for different thinking? Is that always from an equal position?
Just as one does not refer to the West and the Third World in geological terms. Similarly, black and white are not biological terms that refer to skin colour. They are political terms used to clarify who benefits from white privileges, wealth, and justice, and who is potentially a victim of racial discrimination, oppression, and injustice. “White” professes to be knowledgeable and neutral, and furthermore, objective with pure judgments. Being born “white” means having the ability to make or manipulate rules and laws to your liking and to travel the world without restrictions. Moreover, it means providing the world with myths and Western-centric narratives that shape our perception of humanity and the world.”
My art revolves around reclaiming space for “the other,” where historically they have been excluded, whether it be in scientific, political, economic, or cultural realms. At its core, my work aims to dismantle pervasive structures of division and exclusion, advocating for epistemological justice and a more inclusive and equitable global dialogue. It challenges us to deeply reconsider societal norms and entrenched beliefs. How far are we in questioning our perception of reality, the world, and our place in it? How willing are we to embrace a paradigm shift?
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seandy-achthoven.art 