The research project is a visual search for traces of the handling of damaged identities in Angola. People with disability and handicaps, veterans and creatives were portrayed and interviewed. In this context, poignant topics such as urbanity, creativity, the handling of damaged identity, creative subversion and selfdesign come to the fore. The output consists of a field research, a publication and an exhibition.
The research project is a visual search for traces in one of the world’s most expensive cities – Luanda. Angola is a country that can only be travelled around with difficulty. It has suffered enduring shock from almost 30 years of civil war and is now experiencing a rapid and uncontrolled oil boom. However, only 30% of its population receive basic medical aid and a mere 40% have access to drinking water. Those of the population suffering from physical disabilities — and they comprise almost 10% of the population — have been consigned to oblivion. The research is dedicated to these people, predominantly victims of polio and landmines, which are extremely present in the everyday life of Angola. It is about exclusion and inclusion. Stasis is set against dynamics, immobility against rapidly accelerating urban growth.
The result consists of different field observations and portraits. Portrayed is for example a nominated Miss Landmine, a subversive designer, disabled and non-disabled Kuduristas, musicians, dancers and Capoeiristas, artisans, as well as war veterans. In this context, poignant topics such as urbanity, creativity, the handling of damaged identity, creative subversion and selfdesign come to the fore. Outputs are the publication "Mit Behinderung in Angola leben. Kreative Techniken in einer von Tretminen verletzten Gesellschaft. Eine ethnografische Spurensuche" published in transcript Verlag and an exhibition shown at the Zurich University of the Arts in Design. Sometimes people in Luanda shine! is the name of the exhibition, It is a temporary exhibition linking photography, film, sound and text based on the ethnographic field study ‘‘Creativity, Disability and Subversion in Angola’’. The whole project navigates between ethnography and social design; it was conceived and carried out by designer Bitten Stetter, cultural sociologist Francis Müller and photographer Flurina Rothenberger.