The Dakar Biennale or DAK’ART was formulated in 1989 as a medium to highlight contemporary art in Africa. The mediums explored are art and literature.
Frances Goodman is busy installing this incredible work at Dakar Biennale, Senegal! The fair opens tomorrow, 3 May 2018. If you are attending, make sure to see this one with your own eyes!#francesgoodman #dakartbiennale #dakar #senegal #artfair #dakartbiennale2018 #acrylicnails pic.twitter.com/1tAbshE6Pt
— SMAC Art Gallery (@smac_gallery) May 2, 2018
With the conjunction of Senegalese artists and the Senegalese state in 1990, the first version concentrated on literature. In 1992, art became the basis. “The aim was to make of it a show-window of Art and literature in Africa.”
Installation expos @CulturaDakar @EmbEspSenegal pour la @Dak_Artbiennale. L’heure rouge commence jeudi! Info: https://t.co/AaWieRSgab pic.twitter.com/hjkDXhKjdg
— Cultura Dakar (@CulturaDakar) May 1, 2018
Two years later, the vision was turned solely on design and visual arts.
Installation expos @CulturaDakar @EmbEspSenegal pour la @Dak_Artbiennale. L’heure rouge commence jeudi! Info: https://t.co/AaWieRSgab pic.twitter.com/QQBFCZEHSc
— Cultura Dakar (@CulturaDakar) May 1, 2018
From 1996 to 2000, the exhibition went through several modifications which included an exhibition solely showing current African art; it also began running every two years instead of annually.
Let’s meet in Dakar for @Dak_Artbiennale Off from may 4th to may 10th. pic.twitter.com/ldjNqpTppc
— Erzuli Art (@ErzuliArt) April 19, 2018
2004 ushered in the attention of the international spectators and more press coverage.
From 2008 to 2010, the event experienced fluctuations as the budget was scaled back as the European Commission opted not to back the event.
2014 to 2017 proved to be steady years; the exhibitions resumed a balance as curators such as Abdelkader Damani, Elise Atangana and Simon Njami were appointed. It was also reinstated to be shown every year as opposed to biannually.
This year’s theme is “The city in the blue day,” the name adopted from a Lèopold Sèdar Senghor poem. The international exhibition titled “A New Humanity” features work from 75 artists coming from 33 countries. There will also be a showing of “The Red Hour,” “a coming of age” and “metamorphosis and transformation.”
It will run from May 3 to June 2.
