Sound

Underwater

Underwater is inspired by the Detroit techno duo Drexciya. In the Drexcyen mythology enslaved African women gave birth to children in the Atlantic Ocean who could breathe underwater, building their own innovative society under the sea.

Underwater builds upon this mythology, weaving in themes of West African water deities, gender expansive underwater life and commemoration of lives in the Mediterranean Sea. 

A reflection on resilience, transition, memory and imagination beyond the known. The soundscapes blend electronic music with hydrophone recordings and whale calls on vinyl.

The piece was first performed at BAT Studiotheater Berlin on 31.10.2025 and in a shortened version at the afrofuturistic event Quantum Echoes at Studio1111 in Berlin on 06.11.2025.

The sound part of the project is evolving further in 2026 for example into a listening session format. More info here soon!

Abeni is interested in acoustic ecology and plant frequencies and the way sound can reveal different aspects of the environment. For an upcoming sound project in 2026 Abeni is working with WISEA (Women in Sound Ecology Africa), an initiative focused on women in the field of sound ecology.

More info here soon!

Hydrophone recordings at Spree river with Laborneunzehn