DAKAR – A colorful scene greeted the opening of the Dakar Contemporary Art held every two years in the Senegalese capital, a clear contrast to the serious themes of slavery featured in the artworks of invited artists from the United States.
The exhibition from the United States (US) features seven African American artists whose work examines the effects of slavery past, present and future. It is part of an international festival that is held every year and is known as Dak’Art.
Traditional robes boubousthe wide-sleeved shirt worn throughout West Africa, mixed with black suits and ties at the opening ceremony that took place in Dakar, the capital of Senegal, last week.
The exhibition, founded in 1989 by the Senegalese government to promote the continent’s thriving art world, has become one of the most important among African artists.
This year’s theme, The Wakefeaturing 58 artists from 33 countries who explore the various meanings and embodiments of the term, such as excavation, mourning and removal, according to organizers.
The main idea behind the theme is to connect the past and the future by giving them equal importance, said Dak’Art’s artistic director, Salimata Diop, in a statement distributed to the media.
The United States is the guest of honor at this year’s event.
The artwork by the African-American artist explores the cultural beliefs about the afterlife held by the Lebou tribe, one of Senegal’s ethnic groups.
There’s also a whole new alphabet depicted on African curly hair patterns, as well as an interactive exhibit that tries to give viewers an experience of what it’s like to be a slave thrown into the water.
The legacy of slavery affects all Americans, said Diana Baird N’Diaye, the exhibition’s curator, who is based between the US and Senegal. The art on display is not only related to the past, but also looks towards the future, he added.
“We are here because they (our ancestors) survived slavery in America,” he said. “We are here because our ancestors, our grandparents survived the Jim Crow era.”
“And now we are at another important moment,” said Baird N’Diaye.
Dak’Art comes as several countries in the region distance themselves from traditional Western allies and turn to new partners, such as Russia and China, with less complicated histories in the region.
In a region rocked by coups and extremist violence in recent years, Senegal has managed to maintain its reputation as a stable democracy.
However, Senegal’s ruling party, which is about to face elections, has promised to re-examine its relations with Western countries, but has not taken any radical decisions so far.
Senegal’s Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Khady Diene Gaye told reporters that the role of the US as guest of honor is a sign of the importance of art as a tool for dialogue between people, promoting peace, mutual understanding, but most importantly as a tool for economic and social development.
Dak’Art runs until December 7th. Originally scheduled for May, the event was postponed due to political tensions surrounding the April presidential election and funding issues that new authorities say were caused by the previous administration. – AP