The Nest Collective

The Nest Collective is a multidisciplinary arts collective living and working in Nairobi. Founded in 2012, the Nest Collective has created works in film, music, fashion, visual arts and literature such as the critically-acclaimed queer anthology film Stories of Our Lives, which has so far screened in over 80 countries and won numerous awards. The Nest Collective also founded HEVA—Africa’s first creative business fund of its kind—to strengthen the livelihoods of East Africa’s creative entrepreneurs.

Twelve black and white photographic portraits of the artists*. Some look serious, others smile, one looks sideways into the distance, one has closed eyes, and in one portrait you can't see a face behind the veil of chains; moreover, this person is wearing three seat cushions and a bone-like pile of wood on his head.

The Nest Collective, Nairobi, 2020, photo: The Nest Collective

The Nest Collective uses an applied-research-based, holistic methodology to produce work in film, fashion, literature and other media. These interventions are designed to engage audiences using multiple points of entry and reflection, thus enabling nuanced consideration, discussion of the issues raised, while also advancing aesthetic and artistic value. Their work usually finds multiple platforms, spaces and audiences, including academia, other cultural practitioners, civil society, and young people in urban spaces.

Hailing from Nairobi, The Nest Collective is primarily concerned with African urban and contemporary experiences, using them as points of entry for an inquiry into their own histories and for reflections about possible futures. Although their work often responds to and is aware of interconnected issues on a global scale, the collective primarily addresses Kenyan young men and women. Nevertheless, they are excited when their work speaks to other audiences as well.

During documenta fifteen in Kassel, the collective denounces the negative consequences of Kenya’s urbanization with an imposing multimedia installation: Return to Sender mimics a dystopian waste landscape. The installation made of old clothes resembles a a dumpsite in front of the Orangerie.

Return To Sender – Delivery Details (2022) is a companion piece that explores the context of the mountain of litter which may only be visiting Kassel public space for 100 days, but is a current unending reality in Kenya and many African countries. To be screened inside the hollow installation, the video contemplates this difficult scenario through different contributors.