Taxi Darko: A Journey Through Hamburg's Streets and History
Taxi Darko, a unique art project by Hamburg-based artist Zandile Darko, offers audiences an unforgettable journey through the city's streets. The one-hour performance, staged in a taxi, features the voice of Zandile's father, Bernard Darko, sharing personal memories and societal insights, leaving passengers with a new perspective on their surroundings.
Bernard Darko, a Ghanaian-born taxi driver with over three decades of experience in Hamburg, serves as the project's heart. His taxi, a space that doubles as his workplace and home, becomes a stage for conversation and reflection. Bernard, multilingual in Twi, English, and German, weaves stories that explore belonging and history-making, inspired by Gloria Anzaldúa's 'Autohistoria'.
Zandile, the artist behind 'Taxi Darko', uses her father's experiences as artistic material, processing them into a sound collage. She aims to give Bernard a voice in theater, addressing the decreasing conversation in taxis, which she sees as a political issue. Bernard, who moved to Germany from Accra in the 1980s, via Nigeria, brings a wealth of personal history to the project.
'Taxi Darko' is more than just an art project; it's a testament to the power of storytelling and the human connection. By sharing Bernard Darko's experiences, Zandile Darko invites audiences to question their own perspectives on the city and its history. The project highlights the importance of giving voice to diverse narratives, fostering a deeper understanding of our shared urban spaces.
