Konstantinos Doumpenidis
Visual Artist and Creative Director
Lives and works in Athens, Greece
Creative Director of Juicer Studio
Part of Esto Association
Works
Publications
CV - About
Visual Artist and Creative Director
Lives and works in Athens, Greece
Creative Director of Juicer Studio
Part of Esto Association
Works
Publications
CV - About
Preserving the Past, Shaping the Future: Lessons from ZNS Archive for Reconciliation and Awareness
Halle 14, Leipzig - GermanyMay 2023
The exploration of routes in Leipzig that reflect Germany's colonial past reveals several points of interest. Friedrich Ratzel, who is honored with a street named after him, had a significant role in the Deutsche Kolonialgesellschaft (DKG). A connection can be made between Ratzel, the karakul sheep in Namibia, and the import of their fur trade to Leipzig. The journey of the sheep from Halle to Namibia, and subsequently the export of their fur to Leipzig, unveils an intriguing historical narrative.
Originating from an experimental farm in Halle during the early 1900s, the Karakul sheep were later exported to South-West Africa, where they played crucial roles in displacing indigenous communities, establishing colonial settlements, and shaping local economies. Moreover, these sheep became pivotal subjects in scientific discussions surrounding agriculture, genetics, and race. This convergence of racial and species knowledge is evident in two aspects: hierarchical classification and evaluation of traits, and the fundamental differentiation between human and non-human entities that underpins racial and racist ideologies.
By delving into the archives of the Zentralmagazin Naturwissenschaftlicher Sammlungen (ZNS) at the Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, a reexamination of history emerges, bringing attention to the rightful claim of reparations by the Herero and Nama people in Germany. This exploration aims to highlight their entitlement to the compensation they deserve, reframing the decolonial endeavor as a methodological approach to dismantling the concept of race. It emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and rectifying the historical injustices inflicted upon indigenous communities, paving the way for a more just and inclusive future.Preserving the Past, Shaping the Future:Lessons from ZNS Archive for Reconciliation and Awareness
Preserving the Past, Shaping the Future: Lessons from ZNS Archive for Reconciliation and Awareness
Archive and Photographs
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Interview with Dr. Renate Schafberg video
27’27’’