ASIKO 2014 international art programme under the title A History of Contemporary Art in Senegal in 5 Weeks as part of the OFF at the 11th Dakar Biennale.

Its May 2014, i find myself back in Dakar for a five week CCA Lagos intensive Global Critic Clinic that has become an integral component of the ASIKO initiative. The clinic Begun in 2012 in response to an urgent need for more curators on the continent, I am looking forward to develop my research methodologies, sharpen my proposal development as well as develop critical writing skills, engage closely with artists from across the continent as well as with experienced professionals from around the world. 

I look forward to interacting and learning from distinguished visiting faculty of artists, curators and academics including: Joseph Adande (BN), Jonathas de Andrade (BR), Lisa Aronson (US), Rashida Bumbray (US), Eddie Chambers (UK), Mimi Cherono Ng’ok (KN), Modibo Diawara(SN), Viye Diba (SN), Baba Diop (SN), N’Gone Fall (SN), Dominique Fontaine (CAN), Tamar Garb (SA/UK), Koyo Kouoh (CM), Simone Leigh(US), Nana Offoriata-Ayim (GH), Moyo Okediji (NG), Emeka Ogboh (NG), Olu Oguibe (US/NG), Wangechi Mutu (KN), Rosana Paulino (BR), Aura Seikkula (FIN), Mady Sima and Amadou Kane Sy (SN). But above all visit the main Dark Art biennale exhibition, sadly no Zimbabwean this time.. and other Dark Art OFF programs doted around Dakar and between ASIKO assignment reading and writing.

I will be sharing my Personal experiences in ASIKO international art programme under the title  A History of Contemporary Art in Senegal,  as part of the OFF at the  11th Dakar Biennale.  and pay much attention to what facilitators bring on to the table. Some of the visiting artists and curators i have only interacted with them on social media platforms so it promises to be a huge ling between my Job description and what is on the ground. I made this decision to apply because i was running out of ideas at the NGB. Huge challenges with artists responding to exhibitions workshops and conversations Up to date i question my self is it me or it’s the way things are. I have found and shared common stories with my colleagues here and the challenge in Zimbabwe is a challenge in Bamako, Nairobi Kampala, etc

Keep close for weekly updates 

Week one of ASIKO 

Great working week so far presentations with Rosana still going on well, pick of the week though was the visiting artists beginning with Emeka Ogbor Nigerian sound artist doing some fascinating work capturing the moment and sound at the same time. Archiving such works like sound and images image they took center stage, after Q&A, i am glad that Emeka came through to share his work with the team.

www.14thmay.com/about.html

Wangechi Mutu Kenyan artist and sculptor who lives and works in Brooklyn, New York. I consider Mutu as one of the most important contemporary African artists of recent years, and her work has achieved much global acclaim studied worked and lived in the US shared a very deep talk about her life as an artist from Wales to the US and now back in Kenya. The talk opened up my mind and answered many questions about African Artist in the diaspora. Both Emeka and Wangechi touched on the subject we worked on with Rosana the facilitator in the use of materials research and presentation of one’s work.  I am looking forward to the coming weeks as the main Dark Art biennale officialy opened and the city is alive with more than 100 other exhibitions around Dakar. It is that week of the biennales official opening  and reunions new contacts and networking with curators and Artists.

www.wangechimutu.com

Glad to have seen  fellow Zimbabweans like Sithabile Mlotswa, Gina Maxim, Richard Mudariki in Dakar as well.

   




http://www.asikoartschool.org/