Rencontres AKAA

A panel discussion moderated by Armelle Malvoisin, journalist, art critic and curator, with:

• Didier Claes, curator of the exhibition Africa Legacy in Brussels, on view from September 4 to November 1. A leading specialist in classical African art, he is also an admirer of contemporary African art, which he presents alongside historical works at art fairs. He has participated in several editions of AKAA.
• Philippe Boutté, Director of Magnin-A gallery in Paris and an AKAA exhibitor. Last year, he participated in Parcours des Mondes in an effort to reach a collector audience interested in classical African art, with mixed results.
• Frantz Dufour, Founder and Director of Galerie Afrique in Paris, specialising in African art and contemporary artistic practices from the continent. He participates in AKAA, where he presents artists and works that highlight the diversity of African art scenes.

Are traditional collectors of African art, generally driven by a deep interest in Africa and its spirituality, receptive to contemporary artistic practices from the continent? Conversely, do modern art enthusiasts who, influenced by Primitivism, collect iconic African objects, develop an interest in modern and contemporary African art?

To what extent can bridges be built between these different areas of collecting? Which contemporary artists are most likely to resonate with the sensibilities of collectors of classical African art? Are they artists who reinterpret traditional forms and references, or, on the contrary, those who move away from them to develop a distinctly contemporary and international visual language?

In French

A conversation with artist Amadeo Carvalho at the heart of the fair.

The Face to face programme was created to foster a special connection between the public and the artists exhibiting at the fair. For around forty minutes, artists and gallery representatives engage in an open and informal conversation with the audience, offering an intimate and unique opportunity to discover their work and artistic worlds from a different perspective.

In English.

A panel discussion moderated by Marie Diehl, Head of Operations at the Metis Arts and Development Fund, supported by the French Development Agency (AFD), which develops programmes bringing together art, creativity and social issues.

• Victoria Jaunasse, Director of ellipse art projects, specialises in arts philanthropy and support for contemporary creation, following a background in cultural engineering and the international art market. She works in particular to support emerging artists and increase their visibility beyond major capitals.
• Christine Blachère, President of the Blachère Foundation, continues the foundation’s commitment to supporting contemporary African art. Since its creation, the Foundation has supported artists from across the continent through exhibitions, residencies and initiatives aimed at promoting and disseminating their work.
• Emmanuel Berrar, representing the Yavarhoussen Fund, works in the field of arts philanthropy and support for contemporary artistic creation. The Fund is committed to supporting artists and promoting contemporary artistic practices.

In french.

A conversation with artist Midegbeyan Ojisua at the heart of the fair.

The Face to face programme was created to foster a special connection between the public and the artists exhibiting at the fair. For around forty minutes, artists and gallery representatives engage in an open and informal conversation with the audience, offering an intimate and unique opportunity to discover their work and artistic worlds from a different perspective.

In English

A conversation with artist Rachel Malaika at the heart of the fair.

The Face to face programme was created to foster a special connection between the public and the artists exhibiting at the fair. For around forty minutes, artists and gallery representatives engage in an open and informal conversation with the audience, offering an intimate and unique opportunity to discover their work and artistic worlds from a different perspective.

In French.

To close this edition, we invite you to join a conversation exploring Identity and Censorship, with Frédérique Chapuis, journalist, author and curator, particularly known for her work on African photography, and Gabriel Dia, a Senegalese photographer who, through self-portraiture and series such as Sabar, explores his relationship with his identity and Senegalese culture, questioning in particular the gender norms surrounding certain traditional practices.

In French. 

A conversation with artist Tania Arancia at the heart of the fair.

The Face to face programme was created to foster a special connection between the public and the artists exhibiting at the fair. For around forty minutes, artists and gallery representatives engage in an open and informal conversation with the audience, offering an intimate and unique opportunity to discover their work and artistic worlds from a different perspective.

En français.