Foroba Yelen

The Museo Nacional de Antropologia of Madrid hosts the exhibition “Foroba Yelen. Collective light for rural Mali”, dedicated to the mobile lamp designed by Matteo Ferroni.

In 2010, the Italian architect Matteo Ferroni ran an anthropological study about rural communities in Mali, which highlighted the importance of night-time activities.

Consequently he explored the cultural aspects of light, introducing the concept of “collective light”.

The invitation from ADM Faso Gnietàa youth association to carry on his research in Zinzana Rural Community, marks the beginning of a dialogue between ethnography and design that lead the author to create the first prototype of mobile lamp, welcomed by inhabitants with the name foroba yelen (“collective light”). Bicycles, hydraulic tubes, recycled aluminium, LED modules manufactured in Mali: these are the ingredients of a project that spread over the community on demand by the villages’ women’s associations.

The intimacy among tool, nature and culture makes Foroba Yelen an extraordinary work, awarded with an Honorable Mention at the City to City Barcelona FAD Award 2012.

Through photos, anthropological notes and original pieces, the exhibition traces the artefact’s material and symbolic origin and outlines its integration into the life of a community accustomed to moonlight and the glimmer of flashlights.

Until May 4, 2014
Matteo Ferroni
Foroba Yelen. Luce collettiva per il Mali rurale
Organized by Museo Nacional de Antropología and Fondazione eLand
In collaboration with FAD. Fomento de las Artes y del Diseño and ADM Faso Gnietàa
Museo Nacional de Antropología
C/ Alfonso XII, 68– 28014 Madrid

Foroba Yelen

The Museo Nacional de Antropologia of Madrid hosts the exhibition “Foroba Yelen. Collective light for rural Mali”, dedicated to the mobile lamp designed by Matteo Ferroni.

Latest on News

Latest on Domus