Neno Words

Ofure Kitsutsa Omere-Kessi and Jan van Esch look into the ontology of our shared realities by opening up conversations initiated by our clothes and textile waste. It starts with the premise that our reality is neither fully within nor outside ourselves, but actively created in interactions between us. Images, brands and text on clothes channel per definition meaning. Recognition can create connection, but when not understood it can be alienating and divide people in their own perception of reality.

For 1985’s WE R THE WORLD Jan collected discarded clothes from the streets of Amsterdam, and documented the words and imagery branding them. He handed 60 original words over to Ofure. Limited to the words and letters given from the streets, Ofure created his reading from the streets of Amsterdam.

For PHOCAS Jan collected discarded clothes from the streets of Rotterdam as part of his residency at ‘Het Wilde Weten’, and documented the words and imagery branding them. He handed 85 original words over to Ofure. Limited to the words and letters given from the streets, Ofure created his reading from the streets of Rotterdam.
Poem recited at Rotjeskoor in Rotterdam by De Heren van het Hofstad Terror choir.