ART DU BENIN D’HIER ET D’AUJOURD’HUI: DE LA RESTITUTION A LA REVELATION
Palais de la Marina - Cotonou, Bénin
This landmark exhibition brought together the classical heritage and contemporary artistic scene of Benin in a major 2,000 m² presentation at the Palais de la Marina, the Presidency of the Republic of Benin.
Spanning the 19th to the 21st century, the exhibition created a dialogue between historical masterpieces and contemporary works. It presented the 26 Royal Treasures of Benin, recently restituted by the Musée du Quai Branly–Jacques Chirac after 129 years abroad, alongside more than 100 works by 34 contemporary artists from Benin and its diaspora.
Bringing together painting, sculpture, installation, video, drawing, digital art and performance, the contemporary section highlighted the diversity and vitality of Benin’s current art scene.
The exhibition formed part of Benin’s broader cultural strategy to reclaim its heritage while promoting contemporary creation, and to establish the country as a major centre for artistic creation and cultural exchange in Africa. It was accompanied by conferences, screenings and educational programmes, and contributed to the wider development of internationally recognised cultural institutions in Benin.
Photo crédits:
© Christophe Lubin (source)
© ADAGP, Paris – King Houndekpinkou
