10 Artworks Enjoyed at Dakar Biennale 2014

- June 30, 2014

The 11th edition of the Dakar Biennale, which featured 61 contemporary artists from Africa and the diaspora in its main exhibition for a month, was a powerful showcase. Several pieces highlighted the renewed energy of the continent’s artists and their growing relevance on the global stage.

I had the opportunity to be in Dakar during the first week of the biennale's opening. This visit became a unique meeting point for those truly interested in contemporary African art. The most exciting part was meeting other artists from Benin, Togo, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, and, of course, Senegal. However, communication was minimal due to a language barrier. Most of the artists I met barely spoke English, only French. As a result, I received less information from them about their creative processes, but we naturally shared a common love for the arts and the continent. Additionally, I encountered collectors, journalists, directors of art institutions, curators, and friends over dinners, exhibition openings, or parties. It was a true networking experience.

Interestingly, the fact that I could not understand French allowed me to interact with and enjoy the artworks personally, without being influenced by others' opinions or written texts. When I looked at an artwork, I took my time to carefully observe what was in front of me and let my mind adjust to what I was seeing, giving each piece my undivided attention. Reflecting on this, I realized that we sometimes do not trust our own eyes and rely on others' information and opinions to spark interest in a work of art, depriving us of personal enjoyment.

I must say the biennale itself was very well-curated, despite some shortcomings such as last-minute schedule changes, repairs, and missing artwork at the Biennale Village. The concurrent OFF site events and exhibitions were even more interesting. I particularly enjoyed the exhibition of Osman Sow's sculptures and the "Abstractions Legitimes" at the Pavillon Royal Air Maroc.

However, I felt that overall it was too heavily inclined towards installations, photography, and video art, with fewer quality paintings, drawings, or sculptures. This is subjective, as art is all about taste, and it seems many museums, curators, and institutions are favoring new mediums, even though paintings and sculptures are still recognized. Below are images of 10 artworks showcased at the biennale that gave me the ‘aha’ moment as I understood the inherent meaning of these works of art.