FLEE Benga, A Kenyan Kaleidoscope

FLEE is happy to present its new publication « Benga, a Kenyan Kaleidoscope » investigating the
future of a Kenyan music genre and its evolution in the limelight of an increased dematerialization
of artistic practises.
Published by Bureau Sepän, inspired by an interactive exhibition organised in Switzerland in
collaboration with Hapax21 at Espace EEEH, the collection of essays touches upon various issues
related to the evolution of a traditional music genre facing the emergence of new forms of
"patch-worked" digital communities. Edited in English and French, including original and archive
pictures, and challenging stereotyped narratives on African Art and music movements, the publication
includes essays by:

Mbithi Masya (Film Director / Just a Band)
Andrew Eisenberg (Professor NYU-AD)
KMRU (Kenyan Electronic Music producer)
Noémie Desarzens (University of Lausanne)
FlexFab (Music Producer)
U-Zehn (Graphic Design Studio)
Gregg Tendwa (Kenyan producer Santuri
Safari/Bengatronics)
Jehanne Denogent (University of Lausanne)
Shake it Maschine (Music Producer)

Pursuing a critical approach, the essays explore several issues such as cultural appropriation in
the context of a globalized music market, the dilemma of legitimacy, and the problem with traditional
music genres’ categorization. Indeed, the publication assumes that, defined by hegemonic
euro-centric narratives, the existing categories are becoming increasingly problematic for hybrid
African musicians, interested in a free artistic exploration.

116 pages, hard cover, sewn
Munken Lynx 100gsm paper
English / French
12x17cm
Weight : 250gr