Eugene weekly., January 24, 2019, Page 13, Image 13

AN IMME R SI V E
EXPE R I E N C E
INTER-DISCIPLINARY ARTIST
JOJO ABOT PARTICIPATES IN
EUGENE RESIDENCY
BY WILL KENNEDY
W
hen writing about art, translating one creative
endeavor into another, it’s easy to focus on
medium and be sidetracked by genre. That’s a
fool’s game, really.
Or as the old saying, sometimes attributed
to Elvis Costello, goes: “Writing about music
is like dancing about architecture.” It doesn’t
make sense.
Ghanian musician, actor, filmmaker, writer
and photographer Jojo Abot agrees. “That is all
a matter of language,” she says. No matter what
medium she’s working in, she seeks fluidity and
harmony. “While remaining authentic in the pro-
cess, however that manifests itself,” she says.
The inter-disciplinary artist is in Eugene as part of the
Hult Presents series and the Hult Center’s first micro-res-
idency program. “What drew me to Jojo was the incred-
ible energy that pulses throughout her work,” says Vicki
Infinito, director of programming at the Hult Center.
“From the profound colors and aesthetic of her art-
work,” Infinito says, “to the powerful messages and beauty
of the sounds and visuals in her performances, it is a voice
we want our community to hear and one we’re proud to
support at the Hult Center.”
Abot’s time in Eugene will include a month-long art ex-
hibition and immersive performances at the Hult Center,
and a special concert at WOW Hall. Abot has toured with
Lauryn Hill, and her music from EPs like 2016’s Fyfya
Woto has been described as “Afro-hypno-sonic.”
That term is merely an explanation, tag or title, she
adds. Again, just language.
What’s for sure is Abot’s music is very much Afro-in-
spired, but it has its own sort of energy.
“It has its own sonic frequency. Sort of trippy,” she says,
mixing jazz, neo-soul, house music, gospel and dancehall.
This will be the first time Abot has participated in a
residency program of this nature. What she hopes to take
away from her time in Eugene is a greater understanding of
the human perspective, to learn “why there seems to be so
much pain and turmoil” and to reach a deeper sense of love,
compassion and empathy.
Jojo Abot performs 8 pm Saturday, Jan. 26, at WOW Hall; $28, all-ages.
L I Z M A N E Y F O R T H E F Y F YA W O T O A R C H I V E S
eugeneweekly.com • January 24, 2019
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