RESEARCH
We are committed to research that explores ancient wisdom cultures and global indigenous ways of knowing through interdisciplinary partnerships.
With a focus on ancient African cultural knowledge explored through multi-artforms, our research investigates how multi-dimensional and multi-sensory arts experiences, aligned with sacred traditional knowledge can re-enchant, activate community conviviality, healing, wellbeing and humanitarian awareness.
FOCUS AREAS
Our research focuses on investigating strategies to integrate ancient wisdom and cultural knowledge principles, and the inter-relational aspects of these knowledge realms. We encourage multiple perspectives to build collective-intelligence and prompt cross-disciplinary input, extending to the Neurological Sciences, Cognitive Psychology, Cosmological and Metaphysical Studies, Cultural Diversity Studies, Creativity and Cultural Theatre Practice.
LEAD RESEARCHERS
LAMINE SONKO
Lamine Sonko is a guewel (hereditary cultural role) descendant of the Sing Sing clan and Korings of Kaabu, and a member of the Serer, Wolof and Mandinko cultural communities of Senegal. As a guewel, his research is informed by a lifetime of learning embodied cultural knowledge within his community. Beginning in early childhood, this cultural education is guided by community elders and takes place through observation and participation in sacred rituals and ceremonies including rhythmic, chant and dance traditions. Lamine approaches his research from an ancient African integrated cosmovision perspective - an understanding that we exist within an interconnected universe of spheres while aligning multi-artform expressions and cultural patterns within this metaphysical cosmic philosophy. Lamine has presented workshops and lectures at University Cheikh Anta Diop (Dakar), Australian National University, and University of Melbourne. He has taught West African music and percussion throughout Australia and internationally for over 15 years.
SUE CLARK
Sue Clark’s professional arts and culture experience spans over 57 years. Her many appointments include work with federal, state and local governments, the corporate sector and in community-based strategic planning commissions. As the Founder/Director of the Centre for Cultural Partnerships at the Victorian College of the Arts and later in the University of Melbourne (2004-2015) Sue established post-graduate and masters’ course curriculum, research projects, intercultural partnership initiatives and philanthropic funding brokerage. Currently, Sue has designed and will lead a Creativity Research Consortium proposal with emphasis on creativity as 'embodied’ resonance for neurological and cognitive benefit. Research inquiry will document and measure how creativity methods addressed Covid societal challenges, and established ways to improve psychological wellbeing + mental health outcomes. In addition, through the 13.12 program case study analysis, the research evaluation will review the success factors in applying creativity-in-whole systems frames, to evoke a new Cultural Theatre Arts practice innovation model.
RESEARCH PARTNERS
university cheikh anta diop
DAKAR, SENEGAL
In 2020 the initial research underpinning 13:12 was presented by Lamine Sonko at IFAN (Institut Fondamental d'Afrique Noire) a cultural and scientific research institute at the University Cheikh Anta Diop in Dakar. The research explored how traditional sabar rhythms as embodied practice informs, and are connected to understandings of systems of cosmology, philosophy and the sciences.