“Beyond Prettier Cages: Where are the Dreamers” is a new installation by Lealem Abebe, a community builder, musical mentor and performer/producer under the name 4theworld. Positioned intentionally among the jail cells on Level 0 of the Arts Court in Ottawa, for one night only at Pique winter edition 2023 Lealem will illustrate the history of both the building and its connection to art and the legacy of Canada’s carceral system.
We sat down with Lealem to discuss this installation as well as his work in the community, revealing a limited number of spoilers ahead of the must-see exhibition happening this Saturday December 9th at Pique winter edition '23!
“I love the way music and Hip Hop in particular has used the art of storytelling as resistance and protest.”
Read the full interview below, and don’t miss 20+ other artists presenting at Pique winter edition on December 9, 2023. Advance tickets available here.
Can you tell about yourself, your work and the storytelling you present in your musical work as it relates to your work in the community?
Absolutely- I'm a recording artist, singer/songwriter, music educator, and community activist. In my music, I like to use storytelling to explore themes of identity, longing, and belonging. I've found that- for me- music has been such a therapeutic tool of self-expression and self-reflection that helps me absorb and unpack feelings, emotions, and even subconcious things I might not be aware I'm going through. In my work with Produced by Youth, I have the privilege of helping mentor Black youth interested in learning about music production and the recording arts while trying to foster a safe space for self-expression and exploration. For me, my work as an artist and community activist are really closely linked because music has brought such amazing people into my life and connected me with such a great community. I love the way music and Hip Hop in particular has used the art of storytelling as resistance and protest. Lately I find myself naturally tapping into those roots when making music and that in turn connects me to community.
Describe to us the intention of your installation, and the weight it holds in this space.
This is my first art exhibit and exploration in visual/interactive art so it's been a real learning process for me. My hope is that this exhibit can help folks ask themselves important questions about what community safety and well being looks like, why it is that we use violence to "restore" order or "rehabilitate" people, and what a world without cages could look like. I think there's an inherently transformative power in empathy, compassion and community coming together to build a better world and I think art can help us imagine that world and work towards it.
What sort of work are you planning in the future, both musically and as a mentor for others?
I'm working on my next album and I've just been really enjoying the process of experimentation and musical exploration. I think like many artists, I often struggle to conceptualize a personal, recognizable "style" and "brand" for myself, but I've been trying to unlearn that way of thinking as an artist and musician. Capitalism has an interesting way of making us think our identity is tied not only to our consumption but how well we ourselves are consumed and received commercially. I'm excited to just have fun exploring different styles and modes, genres, tones, and feelings in my next project and I'm excited to share that open exploration with people.
In your own words, what role does art play in social justice?
I think art is sort of inextricably linked to social justice because art is inextricably linked to life. For me, art is one way we connect to ourselves and to one another - so it can be a powerful medium and tool for advocating, mobilizing and organizing for a better world.