Book launch: Àsìkò: On the Future of Artistic and Curatorial Pedagogies in Africa

The Centre for Contemporary Art is pleased to launch in collaboration with the African Art Book Fair, the publication Àsìkò: On the Future of Artistic and Curatorial Pedagogies in Africa at the 13th edition of the Dakar Biennale of Contemporary African Art in Senegal.

Since 2010 a cohort of approximately 12-15 emerging African artists and curators are joined by an international faculty of practicing artists, art historians, curators and writers, for an intensive 35-day course of study in art and curatorial history, methodologies and professional development. Moving between models of laboratory, residency and academy, Àsìkò privileges experimentation over conventional approaches to art making and curatorial inquiry, encouraging participants to workshop ideas, proposals and projects for long-term development and implementation.

Àsìkò: On the Future of Artistic and Curatorial Pedagogies in Africa chronicles six editions of the programme: the first two editions having taken place in Lagos, and the subsequent four editions in Accra, Dakar, Maputo and Addis Ababa, the capitals of Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Mozambique and Ethiopia, respectively. The publication documents each unique but related iteration of the programme, and indexes the work and reflections of the more than 70 cultural producers (from 15 African countries) who have participated in Àsìkò 2010-2016. The book embodies the multifaceted structure of Àsìkò by interweaving documents specific to each edition with a range of materials including commissioned essays on alternative strategies of artistic and curatorial practice, interviews, artworks and reflections by participants and faculty.

Àsìkò: On The Future of Artistic and Curatorial Pedagogies in Africa explores many of the themes and issues that have concerned African artists over the last several decades, and offers a foundation for new debates on visual culture in Africa, and methods for articulating, presenting, documenting, and historicising cultural practices in the future. The publication offers bold reflections on the interdisciplinary ethos at the heart of Àsìkò, and considers how diverse formats—including film, literature, theatre, dance and visual art—can be more effectively used in moving forward an appreciation of contemporary art, art history and visual culture across the continent.

Publication Director: Bisi Silva

Art and Editorial Director: Stephanie Baptist

Designers: Nontsikelelo Mutiti and Julia Novitch

Contributors include: Stephanie Baptist, Antawan I. Byrd, Eddie Chambers, Tamar Garb, Phillipe Pirotte, Nontobeko Ntombela, Amilcar Packer, Gabriela Salgado and Bisi Silva.

Softcover, pages 424, ISBN 9780692288184. Published by Centre for Contemporary Art, Lagos 2017.

Launch of Àsìkò: On the Future of Artistic and Curatorial Pedagogies in Africa Saturday, May 5, 5:30–7:30pm

5:30–6:30pm: Panel discussion on publishing, curating and art education in Africa with Martha Kazungu (UG) Asiko 2015, Komla Eza, (Togo) Asiko 2014, Mady Sima (SEN) Asiko 2013, Igo Diarra (Mali) 2014 and Bisi Silva, Director, CCA, Lagos

Moderator: Zoe Whitley, Curator, International Art, Tate Modern, Asiko Faculty 2015 & 2016

6:30–7:30pm: Launch reception

For more information contact info@ccalagos.org