Dak'art Biennale 2014, #EvokingBelonging*

The theme of the Dak'art 2014 edition is quite evoking, "Producing the common". As usual, the Biennale gives way to collaboration and sharing of the participants. I went on a tour at some OFF exhibitions in art houses or in private villas, the display of artistry and wit is simply mesmerising.

At Gallerie Agora, painter Manel Ndoye shares the stage with photographer Beatrix Jourdan. Both artists fixed images of a city in motion. Ndoye's amazing paintings cristallize the colorful and warm Ndawrabbin* dancers while Beatrix Jourdan's spots of life are portraits of the every woman and glimpses at our everyday life. Both artists work' evoke warmth, rythm and movement.

Manel Ndoye. Ndawrabin Dancers

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In Ngor, Villa Spiney, the trio formed by Manel Ndoye, Alioune Diagne and Pape Kon-T shows a serie of canvas entitled Figuro Abstro.

Kon-T portrays figures of afro-american musicians. Miles Davis, Ray Charles, Ella Fitgerald and Louis Amstrong are clearly identifiable, with the precise features informed by Kon-T 's training as an architect. 

Kon-T 

Alioune Diagne, Art'lioune presents a serie of grandeur nature portraits. Colorful and warm, his blend of conventionnal and pixelated paintings shows joyful and lively young children

At Musée Theodore Monod, Barkinado Bocoum's style is recognisable among all. He portrays historical figures in vivid colours and scarlet tones.

The eleventh edition of the Dak'Art Biennale is ongoing. a major contemporary art event in Africa,it started on May 9 and will end on June 8. Elise Atangana, Abdelkader Damani and Smooth Ugochukwu Nzewi curate this edition of the Dak'art. This Biennale offers a rich and various program. Panels have been held on "Art profession"; an International Exhibition gathers artists and creators from Africa and the Diaspora, many guest artists are exhibiting and tribute exhibitions are organised to Moustapha Dimé,Mbaye Diop and Mamadou Diakhaté. Soly Cissé at Place du Souvenir, Cheikhou Ba at Villa Racine, Sadio, Ibrahima Thiam and co at Villa 126 Ngor, Fashion shows, concerts, African sculpture, Green Art in the Campus. All in all, up to 200 OFF exhibitions are scattered in Dakar and other cities, ways for the Dak'art to definitely celebrate artists and creativity.

*#EvokingBelonging is a hashtag created by artist and militant Dianne Regisford (?), who is exhibiting at Musée Theodore Monod.
*traditionnal danse of the Lebou ethnic group, generally performed in ceremonies by women dressed in colourful boubous and clothes