Biennale of contemporary african art Communication
Peter Clarke
Goddy Leye
Berni Searle
Papa Ibra Tall
Joe Ouakam
Christine Eyene
Nadira Laggoune
Riason Naidoo
X edition of the Biennale of contemporary african art. Besides the international exhibition featuring artists from several countries in Africa and from the Diaspora at the Museum Theodore Monod, the National Gallery shows 3 guest artists: Peter Clarke, Goddy Leye and Berni Searle. At the Maison de la Culture Douta Seck, the Valencian Institute of Modern Art invites to discover visual artists and architects. Finally, two show pays tribute to two great artists, Papa Ibra Tall and Joe Ouakam. Meetings and exchanges invite international speakers to discuss on the theme 'Contemporary creation and social dynamics'. The OFF provides numerous exhibitions in Dakar, Saint- Louis and throughout Senegal.
10th edition: CONTEMPORARY CREATION AND SOCIAL DYNAMICS
CURATORS: Christine Eyene, Nadira Laggoune, Riason Naidoo
The tenth edition of the biennale is held in a particular context. Indeed, 2012 is an electoral
year in Senegal as was 2000. This year also marks the twentieth birthday of the most former
biennale of the African continent. DAK'ART is maintained as a key event in the international
art calendar. The theme chosen for this edition is expected to examine through various
angles the dialogue that contemporary artists maintain with a social environment which is in
constant mutation. Throughout the world and especially in Africa, the moments of crises
alternate with the periods of stability. Some countries come out of a period of financial crisis,
while others, of a social dead end; the movement of the peoples has never been as
determinant for the quest of new balances. In this quest, the culture is decisively one of the
levers employed. The artists knew every time how to play a beautiful partition in the social
mobilizations, the raising of the conscience of individuals and groups, whatever is their ranks
or their social standings, to commit to individual or collective responsibilities.
Contemporary creation and social dynamics, is a field of investigation which academics, art
critics and artists are invited to explore in the context of the meetings and exchanges of the
edition 2012 of the Biennale.
Ousseynou Wade, general secretary of Dakar Biennale
Dak'Art 2012 will feature numerous events. Besides the international exhibition featuring artists
from several countries in Africa and from the Diaspora at the Museum Theodore Monod, an
exhibition at the National Gallery will show three guest artists: Peter Clarke, Goddy Leye and
Berni Searle.
At the Maison de la Culture Douta Seck, the Valencian Institute of Modern Art (Spain) will
invite us to discover an exhibition of visual artists and architects. Finally, two exhibitions will
pay tribute to two great artists, Papa Ibra Tall and Joe Ouakam. Meetings and exchanges
will invite international speakers to discuss on the theme "Contemporary creation and social
dynamics". ... Not to mention the OFF that will provide numerous exhibitions in Dakar, Saint-
Louis and throughout Senegal.
The selection committee composed of three members met in Dakar from the16th to the18th
February In 2012.
Members of the selection committee had to consider three hundred and twenty nine
applications submitted by artists from thirty-six African countries and twenty-one other
countries. Fifty-one artists that submitted applications have previously participated in at
least one edition of the Biennale.
Based on the expectations from the General Secretariat of the Biennale and following the
meeting of the Orientation Committee, the selection had to focus on artists of the African
continent and of the Diaspora submitting recent works.
Each proposal was the subject of an extensive consultation between members of
international selection committee. Consideration were given to original approach,
aesthetic and conceptual qualities, as well as the actuality of the discourse, regardless of
the theme of the Dakar Biennale in 2012.
Forty-two artists from twenty-one African countries and one from Reunion Island are
selected for the international exhibition.
The OFF offer many exhibitions in Dakar, St. Louis and throughout Senegal.
For this 2012 edition, a partnership OFF is organized in the city of St. Louis.
The commission for environmental events entitled Dak’Art OFF, for the 2012 edition consists of: Mauro Petroni, Joëlle le Bussy Fall , Khalifa Dieng.
The Dakar Biennale is organized by the Ministry in charge of Culture in Senegal.
Partners
L’Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie
L’Union Economique et Monétaire Ouest Africaine
Ambassade de France
Ambassade d’Espagne
La Communauté Française de Belgique
L’Institut Français
EIFFAGE
Fondation Blachère France
Ville de Dakar
Apix, Agence pour la Promotion des Investissements et Grands Travaux au Sénégal
Centre national d'art et de culture Georges-Pompidou, Paris
Press Contact: comdakart@biennaledakar.org
Opening
friday 11 may h 10a.m - 9 p.m.
and
saturday 12 may h 10a.m. - 10.30 p.m.
- 5 official openings
- A cocktail to the railway station offered by the City of Dakar
- Opening f the Meetings and exchanges in a new venue, the railway station
- For VIP, a meeting with partners
- A visit day to the great OFF in Saint-Louis
- Guided tour of OFF exhibitions
- A fashion show, dance shows and concert
- Screenings of films on art
Biennale de l’Art Africain Contemporain 19 avenue Hassan II, BP 3865 DAKAR RP Sénégal