The African Art in Venice Forum (AAVF) 2024 will be hosted by African Art Dialogues, in partnership with Strauss & Co and Africa No Filter, on April 16th at Hotel Monaco and Grand Canal, Venice.
The AAVF, established in 2017 and held biennially in Venice, Italy, provides a platform for discussions on contemporary African art and its diasporas. It aims to foster impactful conversations about Modern and Contemporary African Art, facilitating the sharing of diverse perspectives across the continent.
This year’s forum includes several key sessions:
1. Catalysts of Change: Shaping the Venice Biennale from the African Continent
• Moderator: Janine Sytsma, Assistant Professor, Contemporary Arts of Global Africa, University of Arkansas, School of Art.
• Speakers: Simon Njami, Curator, Ivory Coast Pavillion; Akaye Kerunen, Curator, Ugandan Pavillion; Georgia Harrell, Director, Black Rock Senegal.
2. What Should We Celebrate Now? Reimagining African Modernism
• Moderator: Heba El Kayal, Independent Curator and Writer.
• In conversation with: Frank Kilbourn, Executive Chairperson, Strauss & Co.
3. Foyer Activity – Toast With The Author – Book Presentation by Ntshepe Tsekere Bopape (Mo Laudi)
• Speakers: Ntshepe Tsekere Bopape, Artist, Curator, DJ, Writer; Aurélie Voltz, Director, MAMC+.
4. Nomadic Voices: Asiko Art School and the Global Dialogue on Belonging
• Moderator: Dolly Kola Balogun, Founder & Creative Director Retro Africa.
• Speakers: Euridice Zaituna Kala, Visual Artist; Igo Diarra, Founder and Director Galerie Médina; Emmanuel Ndefo, Artist / Researcher; Oyindamola Fakeye, Director Àsìkò Art School/ Centre for Contemporary Art Lagos; Tyna Adebowale, Multimedia Artist.
5. The Missing Link – East Africa Modernism reviewed
• Moderator: Dr. Beatrix Gassmann de Sousa, Course Editor and Academic Advisor.
• Speakers: Mifta Zeleke, Curator and Lecturer, Alle School of Fine Art; Muhunyo Maina, Art Historian; George Kyeyune, Associate Professor, Sculpture and History of African Art, Makerere University.
Historically, the event has attracted over 1,000 professionals, aficionados, and scholars, featuring over 75 speakers from five continents. The AAVF focuses on enhancing visibility for contemporary African art and fostering exchanges within the cultural and infrastructural framework of the Venice Biennale, highlighting the need for innovative, inclusive platforms to broaden the discourse around this art.
The Fowler Museum at UCLA explores diverse artistic expressions from Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and Indigenous Americas, aiming to deepen understanding of diverse communities, cultures, and religions through interdisciplinary exhibitions, publications, and public engagements. It showcases international contemporary artists and serves the UCLA community and Los Angeles audience.
Sources: Fowler Museum, African Art in Venice Forum, African Art Dialogues
