In November I sat down with Ogemdi Ude to extend a conversation initiated by Ishmael Houston-Jones after the October 19, 2019 DraftWork showing of Ude’s Video Vixen, formerly known as Video Ho. 

Conversations between Danspace Project artists, staff, curators, and writers often take place in our “annex” conference room situated offsite from St. Marks Church in the Ukranian National Home. I was thrilled to invite Ogemdi to sit down with me in that space to discuss this one of many projects that she is currently working on. 

In a textual transcription of an in-person interview, background noises, the tone of the speaker, breath, pauses, hesitations, and laughter are often lost. Ogemdi’s work delves into deep investigations of sound, voice, and oral history, so the audio of our discussion feels like a suitable medium in which to share this exchange. In listening, please excuse or embrace the bustling noise of a small open office, the shuffle of bodies and notebook pages, my interluding affirmative hums, and enjoy the smooth sound of Ogemdi’s convictions and the information carried within, between, and beyond the lines of language. 

– Seta Morton (Danspace Project Assistant Curator, Public Engagement)