UPCOMING EVENTS
Join us for Rainbow Serpent programs and events
Reconstructing the Primordial House
Visit the North Carolina Museum of Art to experience Reconstructing the Primordial House, a captivating multimedia installation by Rainbow Serpent that delves into West African creation myths from Dogon and Igbo historical contexts. This exhibition presents a mythical reconstruction of Obi Mbu, the Primordial House of Igbo cosmology, symbolizing the Primordial Androgynous Blackness of space in its pure state of monolithic harmony. At the heart of the installation is a stunning 25ft x 16ft projection of the film Obi Mbu (The Primordial House), co-directed by Mikael Owunna and Marques Redd, which explores the mysteries of a pillared chamber at the center of this cosmic house. Don't miss this unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the profound beauty and wisdom of ancient African cosmology.
Reclaiming Hope: Afrofuturist Visions
Join us for Reclaiming Hope: Afrofuturist Visions, an exhibition dedicated to exploring the intersection of memory and future-building through the lens of Afrofuturism. Curated by collective member, Granville Carroll, this event features a collection of visual art that delves into themes of imagination, hope, beauty, technology, and science fiction. Highlighting the visionary work of both local and national artists, the exhibition dares to envision a future shaped by Black voices and collective healing.
Rainbow Serpent co-founders, Marques Redd and Mikael Owunna, will showcase their film Obi Mbu (The Primordial House) as part of the exhibition, offering a unique perspective on African cosmologies and Afrofuturist narratives.
Admission is free, so don’t miss this opportunity to engage with thought-provoking art that challenges conventional boundaries and inspires new ways of thinking about the future.
Event Image by Alanna Airitam
Fotografiska Stockholm
This winter, Fotografiska invites visitors to embark on an extraordinary artistic voyage with Space A Visual Journey. Featuring the work of 13 acclaimed artists, the exhibition explores the vastness of space through a fusion of art, science, astrology, and philosophy. It offers a chance to delve into the cosmos, encouraging reflection on humanity's eternal questions of identity and existence. Among the participating artists is Rainbow Serpent co-founder Mikael Owunna, a multidisciplinary artist and engineer whose work uniquely bridges science, art, and African cosmologies. Owunna will exhibit pieces from his photography series Infinite Essence and showcase the film Obi Mbu (The Primordial House), which he co-directed with Marques Redd.
Arizona Biennial
Rainbow Serpent Collective member Granville Carroll has been selected as one of the featured artists at the 2024 Arizona Biennial. This prestigious exhibition offers a platform for both emerging and established artists to showcase their work in a museum setting.
Granville, a Phoenix-based visual artist and Afrofuturist, will present the image, Intrinsic Formation, which is a response to the glass sculpture Ra from Myth-Science of the Gatekeepers, a series of statues of Black queer African deities.
The Water Spirit Will Take Us Home
This exhibition celebrates the story of Igbo Landing, its survival and evolution over time, and its enduring impact on African and African American art and culture. In 1803, a group of Igbo captives from Nigeria revolted aboard a slave ship in Dunbar Creek, St. Simons Island, Georgia. At least ten of them chose to drown rather than accept enslavement. The Gullah Geechee, descendants of enslaved West Africans, preserved this story of resistance through oral tradition.
Mikael Owunna's piece The Flying African from his Infinite Essence series is featured in this powerful exhibition. The work honors enslaved Africans who escaped captivity by taking flight, symbolically returning to their homeland and the primordial blackness from which all life emerged.
The Three Sisters
Allegheny County, with support from Shiftworks Community + Public Arts, commissioned Marques Redd, Mikael Owunna, and Rainbow Serpent to highlight the iconic Pittsburgh bridges with a light show this winter. The Rachel Carson, Andy Warhol, and Roberto Clemente Bridges, known as the Sister Bridges, will display their installation The Three Sisters from November 23, 2024, through December 31, 2024.
To many indigenous peoples from North and Central America, the Three Sisters refers to their main crops of squash, maize (corn), and beans, which flourish when grown in close proximity. From Nigeria to Brazil and Cuba, the Three Sisters are associated with the Yoruba goddesses Oya, Oshun, and Yemaya. The Three Sisters fuses these narratives, with each bridge representing one crop and one goddess.
This dynamic light installation is 15 minutes long and will run on loop from sunset to midnight each night.
Astro-Black Mythology: An Introduction to Sun Ra
Join us for an exploration of Sun Ra's cosmic legacy through the lens of "Astro-Black mythology," led by Rainbow Serpent co-founder, Dr. Marques Redd. This event will delve into the visionary jazz musician's fusion of Egyptology, musicology, religion, and cosmic philosophy, revealing how Sun Ra's persona as a being from Saturn challenged conventional narratives about race and identity. Dr. Redd will guide participants through Sun Ra's elaborate mythologies and offer insights into how his work sought to reconnect humanity with the cosmos.
As a multidisciplinary artist and scholar, Dr. Redd brings a wealth of expertise to this event. His work with Rainbow Serpent integrates traditional African cosmologies, multimedia art, and innovative healing practices. From experimental films to immersive VR experiences, Dr. Redd's contributions to advancing Black LGBTQ+ culture have been celebrated across the country. This event is a rare opportunity to engage with his unique perspective and explore the transformative potential of Sun Ra's cosmic vision.
Light Up Night: The Three Sisters
Allegheny County, with support from Shiftworks Community + Public Arts, commissioned Marques Redd, Mikael Owunna, and Rainbow Serpent to highlight the iconic Pittsburgh bridges with a light show this winter. The Rachel Carson, Andy Warhol, and Roberto Clemente Bridges, known as the Sister Bridges, will display their installation The Three Sisters from November 23, 2024, through December 31, 2024.
To many indigenous peoples from North and Central America, the Three Sisters refers to their main crops of squash, maize (corn), and beans, which flourish when grown in close proximity. From Nigeria to Brazil and Cuba, the Three Sisters are associated with the Yoruba goddesses Oya, Oshun, and Yemaya. The Three Sisters fuses these narratives, with each bridge representing one crop and one goddess.
Fotografiska Stockholm Artist Talk: Mikael Owunna
This winter, Fotografiska invites visitors to embark on an extraordinary artistic voyage with Space A Visual Journey. Featuring the work of 13 acclaimed artists, the exhibition explores the vastness of space through a fusion of art, science, astrology, and philosophy. It offers a chance to delve into the cosmos, encouraging reflection on humanity's eternal questions of identity and existence. Among the participating artists is Rainbow Serpent co-founder Mikael Owunna, a multidisciplinary artist and engineer whose work uniquely bridges science, art, and African cosmologies. Owunna will exhibit pieces from his photography series Infinite Essence and showcase the film Obi Mbu (The Primordial House), which he co-directed with Marques Redd.
Join us for Owunna’s artist talk, moderated by Marques Redd, where they will discuss their artistic processes and inspirations. The talk will take place in Fotografiska’s largest venue, Annie, located on the entrance level in the east wing of Fotografiska.
Photoverse
Join us at Photoverse, an immersive three-day photography festival from October 18-20, 2024, where leading experts delve into the evolving landscape of visual arts.
On October 20, 2024, Rainbow Serpent co-founder Mikael Owunna will present a seminar that offers a deep dive into his approach to photography. A Nigerian-American multimedia artist, filmmaker, and engineer, Mikael transcends traditional boundaries by integrating African cosmologies, multimedia elements, and engineering techniques into his work.
In this session, Mikael will guide attendees through his artistic practice, demonstrating how he manipulates light and shadow to elevate his subjects and invoke a sense of universal connection. Participants will gain insights into blending technology with tradition, pushing the limits of photography and multimedia art, and creating works that are not only visually captivating but also deeply meaningful.
Photoverse, designed to eliminate geographical barriers through its digital format, offers this unique opportunity to connect with Mikael and other industry leaders from around the world.
An Invitation to Awe Exhibition
The Middlebury College Museum of Art presents An Invitation to Awe, an exhibition centered around exploring where and how awe is most readily experienced. The exhibit features older paintings and prints displayed alongside contemporary objects, scientific equipment, and interactive works, encouraging viewers to consider how awe can be experienced through senses beyond sight. Mikael Owunna's photograph Nommo Semi (Guardian of Space) is featured in this exhibition. Part of his Infinite Essence series, this image reflects his exploration of indigenous African knowledge systems and his mission to create a visual style that uniquely captures their cosmic grandeur.
African Ritual and Sacred Art
Immerse yourself in a unique retreat blending visual art, African cosmology, and ritual inspired by the Igbo myth of The Four World Ages. Led by Marques Redd, this week-long workshop includes breathwork, guided visualizations, and creativity. Explore ancient wisdom, watch a thought-provoking film, and create oracle card decks to guide your dreams.
Sky in a Small Cage
Join us for the UK premiere of Sky in a Small Cage, a compelling new opera commissioned by Mahogany Opera, with music by Rolf Hind and poetry by Dante Micheaux, a distinguished member of the Rainbow Serpent Collective. This work offers a poetic reflection on the life of Sufi poet Rumi, centering on his deep, transformative relationship with Shams, his master and muse, whose tragic death profoundly shaped Rumi’s life and work.
Dante Micheaux’s powerful poetry, interwoven with Rumi’s verses, is brought to life through a multi-disciplinary performance of song, music, and dance, under the direction of Frederic Wake-Walker. This premiere at the Barbican Concert Hall in London on September 8, 2024, promises to be an unforgettable evening of artistic and emotional depth, inviting audiences to explore the intense and enduring themes of love, loss, and spiritual transformation.
Sky in a Small Cage
Experience the world premiere of Sky in a Small Cage, an evocative new opera commissioned by Mahogany Opera and composed by Rolf Hind, with poetry by Dante Micheaux, a prominent member of the Rainbow Serpent Collective. This opera delves into the life of Sufi poet Rumi, exploring his profound relationship with Shams, his master and beloved, whose mysterious death is central to Rumi’s story.
Dante Micheaux's poignant words, paired with Rumi's poetry, create a rich tapestry of emotion, brought to life by a multi-disciplinary cast through song, music, and dance. Directed by Frederic Wake-Walker, this premiere promises to be an unforgettable fusion of art and storytelling.
Join us for this powerful debut on August 25, 2024, at the Danish Academy Concert Hall in Copenhagen, as part of the Copenhagen Opera Festival.
Myth-Science of the Gatekeepers
Explore Myth-Science of the Gatekeepers (2024) at the Pittsburgh Glass Center. This captivating exhibit features 16 life-size glass statues of Black queer Kemetic deities, providing a modern take on ancient Egyptian granodiorite statues. Crafted through lost wax casting, glass blowing, and hot sculpting techniques, these busts revive and expand the traditions of gatekeepers—an ancient African lineage of queer spirit workers, artisans, and diviners. Discover a new Afro-diasporic spiritual system through this stunning collection.