An Immersive Experience

When 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 process, 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-residency program. “What drew me to Jojo was the incredible energy that pulses throughout her work,” says Vicki Infinito, director of programming at the Hult Center.

“From the profound colors and aesthetic of her artwork,” 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 exhibition 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.

20190124jojoabot-3 — Liz Maney for the FYFYA WOTO Archives

What’s for sure is Abot’s music is very much Afro-inspired, 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.

A Note From the Publisher

Dear Readers,

The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.

That’s because of you!

Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.

Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.

We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.

And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.

None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.

As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.

Thank you for standing with us!