Isaac Moses and Nneka Isaac-Moses produce, direct, and star in the television series “Goge Africa,” an award-winning travel show seen by almost 50 million viewers worldwide.
The popular series explores African arts and culture, focusing on performance, festivals, and events.
Created as a response to negative stereotypes of Africa that the Moses saw in both international and local media, the show airs throughout the African continent, plus parts of the United Kingdom and the U.S.
Elisabeth Cameron, associate professor of History of Art & Visual Culture, is bringing the Moses to the UCSC campus for a one-week visit, May 11-15, as part of the Porter College “Visiting Professor and Artist Series,” made possible by the UCSC Alumni Association.
The Moses will host several events–including a two-day “Nollywood Film Festival” and a Nigerian fashion show–as well as present guest lectures in classes, and meet with alumni, faculty, and students at a reception in the Porter College Provost House.
“The Moses are big celebrities in Africa,” said Cameron. “They’re very well-known TV personalities in Nigeria; when we traveled together, everyone recognized them.”
Cameron first met the couple when she flew to Nigeria in 2006 to try and obtain footage of a contemporary artist for one of her own projects at the Museum of African Art in New York. The museum recommended contacting the Moses, who helped Cameron get what she needed.
“We got our footage, and they got footage for their TV show,” she recalled. “They were so dynamic and fun that I approached Porter College for a grant to bring them to campus.
During their visit, the Moses will give presentations to UCSC students in Cameron’s “Contemporary African Art” class, and also in associate history professor David Anthony’s “African Cinema” class.
“The Moses are very active in film,” Cameron noted. “Nigeria’s Nollywood is one of the largest film industries in the world, but it’s almost unknown in the U.S.”
“I’m teaching a UCSC class on Nollywood this semester and my students have grown to love the films; I am excited to present them to a larger audience,” Cameron added.
Highlights of the Moses visit at UCSC will include:
• Tuesday, May 12, 7 p.m.—Nigerian Fashion Show and Nollywood Film Festival (Classroom Unit 1)
• Wednesday, May 13, Noon-1:30 p.m.—Brown Bag with Porter Fellows and Associate
Fellows & Alumni
• Thursday, May 14, 2-3:45 p.m. and 6-7 p.m.— Presentations to UCSC classes
• Friday, May 15, 2-5 p.m.—Nollywood Film Festival (Studio C, Communications)
Tuesday and Friday’s Nollywood Film Festival screenings are open to the public. Admission is free.
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