UK-based Banksy, one of my favorite street artists turned art world hero, has recently taken his brand of political commentary to the streets of Africa, Mali to be exact. It seems Banksy’s work has been spotted on the walls in Mali. As with his usual style, Banksy makes good use of the natural state of the wall and the surrounding environment to add to the emotion piece of his piece. View pictures below.
A recent article in African Business magazine looks at the recent boom of modern African designers on the continent and internationally. From February’s ThisDay Arise Magazine African fashion event at NY Fashion Week to architect David Adjaye being appointed to design the new African-American National Museum in Washindton DC, the influence of modern African design in global culture continues to solidify. But while there are more and more role models for budding African designers, there’s still a long way to go before Africa itself recognizes and taps into it’s strong creative capital.
To become truly competitive though, the continent must do things in its own way, with its own brand of excellence and innovation. Africans can grasp the best of design worldwide, as well as the best the continent has to offer and transform it into something new, compelling, beautiful and sustainable. Small pockets of success show that African design development has reached the point at which it can play a very real role in addressing poverty and unemployment throughout the continent. From craft initiatives in rural villages to multi-disciplinary industrial projects that boast global collaboration, design can boost a nation’s GDP. (more)
CNN also reports on a new contemporary African design aesthetic in the video below shot at the 2009 Design Indaba in S. Africa.
Influx Insights points us to an interesting marriage of Congolese and Western culture in the form of an art and entertainment experience space. The Double Club, a 6 month project collaboration between Fondazione Prada (Prada’s art foundation), and German artist Carsten Höller opened in London. The space, which is literally spit in two – is a “bar, restaurant and dance club where the Congo meets the west; A bar, restaurant and dance club where the west meets the Congo.” The project is meant to spark dialogue between Congolese and Western contemporary culture and will feature. All profits are slated to go to The City of Joy charity, which provides shelter and services to women who have been targets of violence during Congo’s long running civil warIf you’re in London before May 2009, check out this culture mashup.
EXHIBIT Kehinde Wiley, The World Stage: Africa Lagos~Dakar July 17—October 26, 2008 PLACE The Studio Museum in Harlem 144 West 125th Street New York, New York 10027 tel 212.864.4500
The World Stage: Africa, Lagos ~ Dakar is Kehinde Wiley’s first solo exhibition at The Studio Museum in Harlem and features ten new paintings from his multinational “The World Stage” series. Wiley is known for his stylized paintings of young, urban African-American men in poses borrowed from eighteenth- and nineteenth-century European figurative paintings, a practice he started in the early 2000s while an artist in residence at the Studio Museum. Over the last two years, Wiley has expanded his project by living and working abroad; he temporarily relocates to different countries and opens satellite studios to become familiar with local culture, history and art. His “The World Stage” series is the result of these travels.
Tony Award winning director Bill T. Jones directs and choreographs this new musical about the life of African Pop Icon Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Play runs August 5 Through September 21 only at the 37 ARTS located at 450 W. 37th Street between 9th and 10 avenues, NY, NY. Visit the website and get tickets. More clips
If you’re in the NYC area this evening make sure to head over to Ghanaian photographer Stanley Lumax’s opening of photos from his recent trip to Ghana. Details below.
Back to My Roots
Photography By Stanley Lumax Jr.
May 22 – June 18th, 2008
Opening Reception
Thursday, May 22, 2008
7-9 pm
Habana Outpost
757 Fulton St. & South Portland
Brooklyn, NY
C Train to Lafayette
RSVP: info@stonefacephotography.com
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