Ferlov Mancoba
Audio file 25-2
[continues from 25-1] Wonga recaps Ernest's interpretation of Hobbes, of humankind's deception and exploitation of each other, necessitating laws. Wonga responds by considering the Barbarians and the Vikings
The Germanic people, called Barbarians by the Romans, invaded the Roman Empire in the third century. It was one of the factors in the dispersion of peoples in modern Europe (which Ernest refers to as the Occident)
Ernest criticises Wonga's origin point of the Roman Empire and the Barbarians, stating that humankind is a continuation over time. That the Occident was a coming together of different cultures which creates a "shock" and a "struggle" of the two cultural systems. He adds that survival requires an exchange and fertilisation of the two cultures.
[tape stopped and restarts] Wonga [speaking in French] continues with Hobbes and societies and their legal systems
Ernest summarises [in English] that a community must agree that there is only one power, the state, which can make laws and life and death decisions.
Wonga responds that the system replaces individuals' sense of personal responsibility, leading to moral decay, but they both agree that it is better than nothing
[tape stopped and restarts] Wonga [in French] on individual isolation and the need for markers for individuals to re-find their way; markers provided by philosophers and intellectuals
Facts
PDFAbout the recordings: Ernest Mancoba's son, Marc also known as Wonga, recorded 200+ interviews with his father. The interviews seemed to serve different purposes and are not in chronological order. A selection, based on art historical relevance and copyright clearance, have been published.
Audio file 25-2 (c.1990-2002)