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Inverted Safari. Contemporary African Art
July 13 — September 3, 2023
Central Exhibition Hall "Manege," Triumph Gallery, and the Béton Center for Visual Culture
Central Exhibition Hall "Manege," Triumph Gallery, and the Béton Center for Visual Culture
The project explores contemporary African art as a complex constellation of local art scenes and artistic movements, tracing its development following the independence of countries across the continent.
The Central Exhibition Hall "Manege," Triumph Gallery, and the Béton Center for Visual Culture present the project Inverted Safari. Contemporary African Art.
The first large-scale exhibition of contemporary African art in Russia brings together more than 300 works, including 9 video pieces and 3 large-scale installations created specifically for the project. The exhibition features 47 African and 14 Russian artists. It also includes artifacts from the collection of the V. D. Polenov State Memorial Museum-Reserve, as well as archival materials.
The first large-scale exhibition of contemporary African art in Russia brings together more than 300 works, including 9 video pieces and 3 large-scale installations created specifically for the project. The exhibition features 47 African and 14 Russian artists. It also includes artifacts from the collection of the V. D. Polenov State Memorial Museum-Reserve, as well as archival materials.
The Central Exhibition Hall "Manege," Triumph Gallery, and the Béton Center for Visual Culture present the project Inverted Safari. Contemporary African Art.
The first large-scale exhibition of contemporary African art in Russia brings together more than 300 works, including 9 video pieces and 3 large-scale installations created specifically for the project. The exhibition features 47 African and 14 Russian artists. It also includes artifacts from the collection of the V. D. Polenov State Memorial Museum-Reserve, as well as archival materials.
The first large-scale exhibition of contemporary African art in Russia brings together more than 300 works, including 9 video pieces and 3 large-scale installations created specifically for the project. The exhibition features 47 African and 14 Russian artists. It also includes artifacts from the collection of the V. D. Polenov State Memorial Museum-Reserve, as well as archival materials.
The project explores contemporary African art as a complex constellation of local art scenes and artistic movements, tracing its development following the independence of countries across the continent. The exhibition’s title points to the need to reconsider the entrenched one-dimensional view of African art. This process has led to the recognition of its many facets, as well as the diversity of themes and visual approaches chosen by contemporary artists across Africa.
Until the mid-20th century, African art was often perceived as an ethnographic or anthropological element devoid of aesthetic value, while in recent years it has at times been viewed primarily as a means of communicating the experiences of other cultures to Western audiences. Such perspectives reinforce stereotypes about Africa and frame artists through the lens of their ethnic identity. By "inverted," we refer to our working method: we have given artists the freedom of self-representation.
— Alessandro Romanini, curator of the project
Until the mid-20th century, African art was often perceived as an ethnographic or anthropological element devoid of aesthetic value, while in recent years it has at times been viewed primarily as a means of communicating the experiences of other cultures to Western audiences. Such perspectives reinforce stereotypes about Africa and frame artists through the lens of their ethnic identity. By "inverted," we refer to our working method: we have given artists the freedom of self-representation.
— Alessandro Romanini, curator of the project
The project explores contemporary African art as a complex constellation of local art scenes and artistic movements, tracing its development following the independence of countries across the continent. The exhibition’s title points to the need to reconsider the entrenched one-dimensional view of African art. This process has led to the recognition of its many facets, as well as the diversity of themes and visual approaches chosen by contemporary artists across Africa.
Until the mid-20th century, African art was often perceived as an ethnographic or anthropological element devoid of aesthetic value, while in recent years it has at times been viewed primarily as a means of communicating the experiences of other cultures to Western audiences. Such perspectives reinforce stereotypes about Africa and frame artists through the lens of their ethnic identity. By "inverted," we refer to our working method: we have given artists the freedom of self-representation.
— Alessandro Romanini, curator of the project
Until the mid-20th century, African art was often perceived as an ethnographic or anthropological element devoid of aesthetic value, while in recent years it has at times been viewed primarily as a means of communicating the experiences of other cultures to Western audiences. Such perspectives reinforce stereotypes about Africa and frame artists through the lens of their ethnic identity. By "inverted," we refer to our working method: we have given artists the freedom of self-representation.
— Alessandro Romanini, curator of the project
While from a distance Africa has often been mistakenly perceived as a single cultural landscape, it is more accurately understood through the prism of regional formations or cultural groups that share historical ties, linguistic affinities, as well as economic and political integration. The central motif of the upcoming exhibition is the search for—and the attempt to assert—a new African identity, shaped by the continuous and inevitable process of cultural transfer and historically enriched by external influences.
This is reflected in the artworks on view: contemporary artists address the legacy of the colonial era, the mechanisms of interaction between diverse and often contrasting cultures, everyday life, the search for identity, and practices of self-determination. Within the exhibition space, these works will enter into dialogue with objects of traditional African art. The collection of Eddie Novarro, a Brazilian photographer and collector of African art, was transferred to the collection of the V. D. Polenov State Memorial Museum-Reserve in 2003. For the curators, it was important to reactivate this unique body of African artifacts. At the same time, works by contemporary Russian artists illustrate the evolving perception of Africa in our country.
The tradition of engaging with other cultures—borrowing from them and aesthetically reworking the languages and codes of different civilizations—has always been characteristic of Russian art, which seeks its own within the foreign and often воспринимает the unfamiliar as a powerful resource for developing strategies of self-definition.
— Yulia Aksenova, curator of the project
This is reflected in the artworks on view: contemporary artists address the legacy of the colonial era, the mechanisms of interaction between diverse and often contrasting cultures, everyday life, the search for identity, and practices of self-determination. Within the exhibition space, these works will enter into dialogue with objects of traditional African art. The collection of Eddie Novarro, a Brazilian photographer and collector of African art, was transferred to the collection of the V. D. Polenov State Memorial Museum-Reserve in 2003. For the curators, it was important to reactivate this unique body of African artifacts. At the same time, works by contemporary Russian artists illustrate the evolving perception of Africa in our country.
The tradition of engaging with other cultures—borrowing from them and aesthetically reworking the languages and codes of different civilizations—has always been characteristic of Russian art, which seeks its own within the foreign and often воспринимает the unfamiliar as a powerful resource for developing strategies of self-definition.
— Yulia Aksenova, curator of the project
Michelle Okpare
Tell Me When You Find HER
2022
Canvas, crepe paper, lace fabric, acrylic
91.44×76.2 cm
Tell Me When You Find HER
2022
Canvas, crepe paper, lace fabric, acrylic
91.44×76.2 cm
Michelle Okpare
Tell Me When You Find HER
2022
Canvas, crepe paper, lace fabric, acrylic
91.44×76.2 cm
Tell Me When You Find HER
2022
Canvas, crepe paper, lace fabric, acrylic
91.44×76.2 cm
While from a distance Africa has often been mistakenly perceived as a single cultural landscape, it is more accurately understood through the prism of regional formations or cultural groups that share historical ties, linguistic affinities, as well as economic and political integration. The central motif of the upcoming exhibition is the search for—and the attempt to assert—a new African identity, shaped by the continuous and inevitable process of cultural transfer and historically enriched by external influences.
This is reflected in the artworks on view: contemporary artists address the legacy of the colonial era, the mechanisms of interaction between diverse and often contrasting cultures, everyday life, the search for identity, and practices of self-determination. Within the exhibition space, these works will enter into dialogue with objects of traditional African art. The collection of Eddie Novarro, a Brazilian photographer and collector of African art, was transferred to the collection of the V. D. Polenov State Memorial Museum-Reserve in 2003. For the curators, it was important to reactivate this unique body of African artifacts. At the same time, works by contemporary Russian artists illustrate the evolving perception of Africa in our country.
The tradition of engaging with other cultures—borrowing from them and aesthetically reworking the languages and codes of different civilizations—has always been characteristic of Russian art, which seeks its own within the foreign and often воспринимает the unfamiliar as a powerful resource for developing strategies of self-definition.
— Yulia Aksenova, curator of the project
This is reflected in the artworks on view: contemporary artists address the legacy of the colonial era, the mechanisms of interaction between diverse and often contrasting cultures, everyday life, the search for identity, and practices of self-determination. Within the exhibition space, these works will enter into dialogue with objects of traditional African art. The collection of Eddie Novarro, a Brazilian photographer and collector of African art, was transferred to the collection of the V. D. Polenov State Memorial Museum-Reserve in 2003. For the curators, it was important to reactivate this unique body of African artifacts. At the same time, works by contemporary Russian artists illustrate the evolving perception of Africa in our country.
The tradition of engaging with other cultures—borrowing from them and aesthetically reworking the languages and codes of different civilizations—has always been characteristic of Russian art, which seeks its own within the foreign and often воспринимает the unfamiliar as a powerful resource for developing strategies of self-definition.
— Yulia Aksenova, curator of the project
The project seeks to develop a new approach to African art. The exhibition creates a cultural framework in which artworks are placed within a new context and, as a result, acquire new layers of meaning. The aim of Inverted Safari is to reveal similarities—and at times intersections—between cultural zones that have often been excluded from the processes of knowledge production, to avoid any form of predetermination, and to find, in the reflection of African artistic practices, a sense of self and one’s own experience.
An important part of the project is its public program, which will include guided tours, art mediations, lectures, and open discussions, as well as inclusive events. Some of the activities are specifically designed for children and teenagers.
An important part of the project is its public program, which will include guided tours, art mediations, lectures, and open discussions, as well as inclusive events. Some of the activities are specifically designed for children and teenagers.
The project seeks to develop a new approach to African art. The exhibition creates a cultural framework in which artworks are placed within a new context and, as a result, acquire new layers of meaning. The aim of Inverted Safari is to reveal similarities—and at times intersections—between cultural zones that have often been excluded from the processes of knowledge production, to avoid any form of predetermination, and to find, in the reflection of African artistic practices, a sense of self and one’s own experience.
An important part of the project is its public program, which will include guided tours, art mediations, lectures, and open discussions, as well as inclusive events. Some of the activities are specifically designed for children and teenagers.
An important part of the project is its public program, which will include guided tours, art mediations, lectures, and open discussions, as well as inclusive events. Some of the activities are specifically designed for children and teenagers.
The exhibition Inverted Safari. Contemporary African Art will be a key cultural event of the Second Russia-Africa Summit, which will take place in Saint Petersburg from July 27 to 28, 2023.
The project is supported by the Committee for Culture of Saint Petersburg.
Age restriction: 12+
Project curators: Yulia Aksenova, Alessandro Romanini
The project is supported by the Committee for Culture of Saint Petersburg.
Age restriction: 12+
Project curators: Yulia Aksenova, Alessandro Romanini
Pierre Beaudot
Landscape of the Underground
2016
Oil on canvas
121×172 cm
Landscape of the Underground
2016
Oil on canvas
121×172 cm
Pierre Beaudot
Landscape of the Underground
2016
Oil on canvas
121×172 cm
Landscape of the Underground
2016
Oil on canvas
121×172 cm
The exhibition Inverted Safari. Contemporary African Art will be a key cultural event of the Second Russia-Africa Summit, which will take place in Saint Petersburg from July 27 to 28, 2023.
The project is supported by the Committee for Culture of Saint Petersburg.
Age restriction: 12+
Project curators: Yulia Aksenova, Alessandro Romanini
The project is supported by the Committee for Culture of Saint Petersburg.
Age restriction: 12+
Project curators: Yulia Aksenova, Alessandro Romanini
Project participants:
Aboudia, Seni Awa Camara, Joseph Awuah-Darko, Armen Agop, Tetè Azankpò, Adeoti Azeez Afeez, El Anatsui, Owusu Ankomah, Belinda Assenga, Serge Attukwei Clottey, Salim Bayri, Lara Baladi, Nù Barreto, Oladele Bello, Ajarb Bernard Ategwa, Amani Bodo, Pierre Bodo, Armand Boua, Khanyiso Booi, Medina Dugger, Abdoul-Ganiou Dermani, Dominique Zinkpe, Lovemore Kambudzi, Laetitia Ky, Joseph Kitone, Henri Kouakou, Aristide Kouame, Hermann Kouman, Namsa Leuba, Gonçalo Mabunda, Esther Mahlangu, Mário Macilau, Désiré Monou Koffi, Nnenna Okore, Michelle Okpare, Sadikou Oukpedjo, Edwin Paul Kazoka, Antonio Sidibé, Soly Cissé, Essoh Sess, Moffat Takadiwa, Médéric Turay, Kelechi Chinwendu Kelechi, Wael Shawky, Sokey Edorh, Brice Esso, Yeanzi; Gayane Avetisyan, Maria Arendt, Natasha Arendt, Vasily Vlasov, Ivan Gorshkov, Katya Emelyanova, Ekaterina Zorkaya, Anton Kuznetsov, Lyubov Kulik, Olga Michi, Ulyana Podkorytova, David Ter-Oganyan, Varya Cheltsova, Olga Shurygina.
Aboudia, Seni Awa Camara, Joseph Awuah-Darko, Armen Agop, Tetè Azankpò, Adeoti Azeez Afeez, El Anatsui, Owusu Ankomah, Belinda Assenga, Serge Attukwei Clottey, Salim Bayri, Lara Baladi, Nù Barreto, Oladele Bello, Ajarb Bernard Ategwa, Amani Bodo, Pierre Bodo, Armand Boua, Khanyiso Booi, Medina Dugger, Abdoul-Ganiou Dermani, Dominique Zinkpe, Lovemore Kambudzi, Laetitia Ky, Joseph Kitone, Henri Kouakou, Aristide Kouame, Hermann Kouman, Namsa Leuba, Gonçalo Mabunda, Esther Mahlangu, Mário Macilau, Désiré Monou Koffi, Nnenna Okore, Michelle Okpare, Sadikou Oukpedjo, Edwin Paul Kazoka, Antonio Sidibé, Soly Cissé, Essoh Sess, Moffat Takadiwa, Médéric Turay, Kelechi Chinwendu Kelechi, Wael Shawky, Sokey Edorh, Brice Esso, Yeanzi; Gayane Avetisyan, Maria Arendt, Natasha Arendt, Vasily Vlasov, Ivan Gorshkov, Katya Emelyanova, Ekaterina Zorkaya, Anton Kuznetsov, Lyubov Kulik, Olga Michi, Ulyana Podkorytova, David Ter-Oganyan, Varya Cheltsova, Olga Shurygina.
Medina Dugger
To Envelop Oneself. Veil in Narcissus Color
2018
Fiber-based pigment print on aluminum
90×120 cm
To Envelop Oneself. Veil in Narcissus Color
2018
Fiber-based pigment print on aluminum
90×120 cm
Medina Dugger
To Envelop Oneself. Veil in Narcissus Color
2018
Fiber-based pigment print on aluminum
90×120 cm
To Envelop Oneself. Veil in Narcissus Color
2018
Fiber-based pigment print on aluminum
90×120 cm
Project participants:
Aboudia, Seni Awa Camara, Joseph Awuah-Darko, Armen Agop, Tetè Azankpò, Adeoti Azeez Afeez, El Anatsui, Owusu Ankomah, Belinda Assenga, Serge Attukwei Clottey, Salim Bayri, Lara Baladi, Nù Barreto, Oladele Bello, Ajarb Bernard Ategwa, Amani Bodo, Pierre Bodo, Armand Boua, Khanyiso Booi, Medina Dugger, Abdoul-Ganiou Dermani, Dominique Zinkpe, Lovemore Kambudzi, Laetitia Ky, Joseph Kitone, Henri Kouakou, Aristide Kouame, Hermann Kouman, Namsa Leuba, Gonçalo Mabunda, Esther Mahlangu, Mário Macilau, Désiré Monou Koffi, Nnenna Okore, Michelle Okpare, Sadikou Oukpedjo, Edwin Paul Kazoka, Antonio Sidibé, Soly Cissé, Essoh Sess, Moffat Takadiwa, Médéric Turay, Kelechi Chinwendu Kelechi, Wael Shawky, Sokey Edorh, Brice Esso, Yeanzi; Gayane Avetisyan, Maria Arendt, Natasha Arendt, Vasily Vlasov, Ivan Gorshkov, Katya Emelyanova, Ekaterina Zorkaya, Anton Kuznetsov, Lyubov Kulik, Olga Michi, Ulyana Podkorytova, David Ter-Oganyan, Varya Cheltsova, Olga Shurygina.
Aboudia, Seni Awa Camara, Joseph Awuah-Darko, Armen Agop, Tetè Azankpò, Adeoti Azeez Afeez, El Anatsui, Owusu Ankomah, Belinda Assenga, Serge Attukwei Clottey, Salim Bayri, Lara Baladi, Nù Barreto, Oladele Bello, Ajarb Bernard Ategwa, Amani Bodo, Pierre Bodo, Armand Boua, Khanyiso Booi, Medina Dugger, Abdoul-Ganiou Dermani, Dominique Zinkpe, Lovemore Kambudzi, Laetitia Ky, Joseph Kitone, Henri Kouakou, Aristide Kouame, Hermann Kouman, Namsa Leuba, Gonçalo Mabunda, Esther Mahlangu, Mário Macilau, Désiré Monou Koffi, Nnenna Okore, Michelle Okpare, Sadikou Oukpedjo, Edwin Paul Kazoka, Antonio Sidibé, Soly Cissé, Essoh Sess, Moffat Takadiwa, Médéric Turay, Kelechi Chinwendu Kelechi, Wael Shawky, Sokey Edorh, Brice Esso, Yeanzi; Gayane Avetisyan, Maria Arendt, Natasha Arendt, Vasily Vlasov, Ivan Gorshkov, Katya Emelyanova, Ekaterina Zorkaya, Anton Kuznetsov, Lyubov Kulik, Olga Michi, Ulyana Podkorytova, David Ter-Oganyan, Varya Cheltsova, Olga Shurygina.
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