AKAA – Also Known As Africa – is France’s first contemporary art fair dedicated to Africa.
AKAA, the contemporary African art fair, celebrates the many facets of the continent, which transcends borders and asserts itself through the works of numerous artists. Their unique vision resonates on a global scale.
For its ninth edition, AKAA will be held at the Carreau du Temple, from October 18 to 20, 2024. This year, the focus is on dialogues between Africa, the Americas and the Caribbean, highlighting the rich cultural exchanges. The spotlight will be on the artistic scene in the French Overseas Territories.
Guest artists and curators will have carte blanche to highlight these emerging talents and their singular artistic proposals. These works, from France’s overseas territories, will illustrate the creative energy that drives these regions.
Africa Fashion Tour shares 3 favorites to discover at Akaa, the fair for contemporary African art.
- Workshop 22B,
- Bon appétit
- Sanjo Lawal
Atelier 22B: innovative, committed African design
AKAA, the African contemporary art fair, is a unique opportunity to discover talented young artists. Atelier 22B, founded by French-Senegalese designer Violaine Beh, offers a radically new vision of African design. Specializing in decoration and furniture, the studio stands out for its elegant, innovative and eco-responsible creations. Violaine Beh reinvents the codes of African design with a bold, contemporary approach.
Each piece comes to life in West Africa, where talented craftsmen preserve ancestral know-how. By combining tradition and modernity, Atelier 22B embodies ethical, avant-garde design. This commitment extends to supporting women artisans, who benefit from a mutual health insurance scheme, as well as programs for young deaf people in Dakar, offering them a real opportunity for autonomy.
Bon Appétit: a project combining art and gastronomy
AKAA, the contemporary African art fair, is a unique opportunity to discover collaborations. One of the highlights of the fair will be the exclusive launch of a series of dessert plates, designed in collaboration with the prestigious Limoges porcelain manufacturer Haviland. These works, signed by artists Reggie Khumalo and Leila Rose Fanner, are part of the “Bon Appétit” project, an artistic exploration of the arts of the table.
The project brings together Afro-descendant artists from all over the world, using porcelain as their canvas. This format, at once disruptive and precious, enables the works to be confronted with a new dimension, symbolizing a dialogue between art, gastronomy and culture. This unique series will be unveiled as a limited edition at the AKAA fair.
Sanjo Lawal: photography and multiculturalism at the heart of his work
AKAA, the contemporary African art fair, highlights new representations of African culture. Lagos-based photographer and multidisciplinary artist Sanjo Lawal explores the cultural richness of his environment through his art. Drawing on Nigeria’s ethnic diversity, Lawal is interested in the nuances of cultural differences within the population. Influenced by the bright colors his mother wore and the nature of his garden, he has developed a unique artistic style.
His works, often made from recycled materials and combined with photography, capture a raw realism. Lawal creates intense compositions, playing with color and light, while adding a spiritual depth to his creations. A graduate of the Yaba College of Technology School of the Arts in Lagos, he has mastered the art of telling stories through images. His photographs are much more than snapshots – they are reflections of deep emotions and thoughts.
Africa Fashion Tour continues its exploration of Africa’s creative and cultural industries. The ambition is to bring you the best of Africa through articles and podcast episodes.
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