Arriving in Dakar was a moment that I had looked forward to
as it imaginatively presented to me as the finest contemporary arts showcase in
the continent. As a young curator I started to put images and research together
and I had this image of an unfinished vision. Travelling to Senegal really made
me feel great as this was set to thwart all the misconceptions about contemporary
African art. I have to say the facilitation by Goethe for me to travel and meet
up with old friends within the creative circles from around the world kept me
on my toes as I sought to find the Biennale and immense my imaginations into it
with an open heart and mind set. Oohhhhh! The
first block was communication then it all clicked that I am in a French
speaking territory, the basics worked to keep me in focus.
The official opening signalled challenges amongst the
curators and organisers. Compliments to the Senegalese government to the
support of the Arts. I was surprised to see that the 10th Biennale
still did not attract locals to attend and participate in the various exhibitions
dotted around Dakar. At first it was a bit of a challenge identifying exhibitions
but eventually the official map was out and Dakar began to roll out. Coming from
Venice Biennale in 2011 I was comfortable seeing that the people that matter in
the growing African creative scene, from Curators to artists and sponsors put
the effort to see the biennale taking off.
Personally I was thrilled walking up and down the streets of
Dakar eating the local favourite Rice and Fish, and the street markets, the fancy
and well decorated commuter mini bus rides. Art was found in most places,
though to most people it’s just a way of life. The story of African Arts is just
the same in the continent that the west is funding our culture and the locals
are not keen to support the events. I did not have an outstanding show that
moved my jaws. As a young curator I was mostly interested in the use of space, audience
building, support and presenting the image of the contemporary artists by African
for Africans very little of that I saw, at least in the few days I was there so
I lost the oomph and because 20years on, the biennale it did not meet my
expectations.
I am grateful to have been part of the show and to have been
part of the Goethe team in Dark Art 2012 the experience was worth it as
networking with fellow artists and curator in Africa was the highlight of the
stay nurturing the contacts and sharing with fellow creative will be a joy to
do as I look for something new to create or participate in the story of Dark
Art is debatable yet it sounds complete.
