Listening to the Earth: Léonard Pongo's Immersive Congo Installation in Antwerp

Belgian-Congolese artist Léonard Pongo's immersive installation "Dialogue with the Source" opens at FOMU Antwerp, using high-intensity sound and changing light to challenge visual perception of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The exhibition centers on the film "Tales from the Source," where audio conditions visual experience, reflecting Pongo's shift from documentary photography toward sound-driven art. He argues Western visual analysis obscures Congolese reality, making sound essential to conveying how inhabitants perceive their land. The space, designed with architect Johnny Leya, evokes a banana tree, a Congolese symbol of rebirth. It includes "Hommage à Tshibola," a mobile of 40 painted glass plates honoring his grandmother, echoing works shown at the 2026 Venice Biennale. Runs through January 17, 2027.