A short film on the joys of dancing like everyone’s watching.
This post was written by Helen Jennings, Editorial Director of Nataal
Who Dey Shake is a short film and photographic story by Lagos-based artist Lakin Ogunbanwo made in collaboration with the V&A and Nataal magazine. The idea for the project was sparked by curator Dr Christine Checinska’s interest in the culture of movement and how clothing and adornment relates to identity through the performance of style.
“The concept made me think of ‘cultural day’ in Nigerian primary school and the energetic performance that always happens then. I also thought about the Bata dance stemming from Yoruba drumming traditions,” Ogunbanwo explains. “This story captures the joys of performing to the camera while showing off your finest African fashions. With sometimes ordinary, sometimes extravagant movements, the dancers communicate a feeling of confidence, satisfaction and elegance. And the magic of the moment is that, if you look closely, the clothes might just be dancing on their own.”
See the film in the Africa Fashion exhibition as well on Nataal and the V&A’s digital channels.
This story was originally published in issue 3 of Nataal magazine, in partnership with the V&A’s Africa Fashion exhibition.
