124 years post Africa’s Looted Art. Here are other African Arts and Cultural Destinations.
124 years post Africa’s Looted Art. Here are other African Arts and Cultural Destinations. The subject of Africa’s Looted Arts in Europe remains the most controversial topic in the Art scene. It has been highlighted in media and pop culture including the infamous scene from Black Panther.
Yearly, Europe wrings its hands on what to be done about the topic while making excuses for why these artifacts are best preserved in their museums.
This looting was not without bloodshed. The arts were a significant aspect of African culture’s pre-colonial and post-colonial worlds. These artifacts signify more than just art to both Europe and Africa. To Europe, they are trophies that remind them of their “victory” but to Africans and Black people worldwide they signify a glance into Past Black excellence.
Luckily, these displaced artifacts are not the only existing glimpses into historic and present examples of African excellence. There are destinations across Africa and the diaspora where one can explore historic and contemporary African and Black Arts and Culture, here are four.
Marrakesh, Morocco
Morocco is one of the most visited countries on the continent. It is a North African country bordering the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, distinguished by its Berber, Arabian and European cultural influences. Marrakesh’s medina, a mazelike medieval quarter, offers entertainment in its Djemaa el-Fna square and souks. Morocco is filled with arts and architectural gems and is one of the oldest cities in Africa.
Lome, Togo
Togo is a French-speaking coastal city in West Africa. Togo is abundant with waterfalls, coastal palm-lined beaches as well as rich native arts scenes, and a new contemporary art space that was opened in 2019. Togo has 37 ethnic tribes, a growing contemporary art scene, and rich traditional art practices.
Capetown, South Africa
South Africa is a country with both Safaris and beaches and some of the oldest tribes in Africa. South Africa has been famously referred to as the rainbow nation because of its diversity. South Africa has multiple world-class arts spaces.
Toronto, Canada
Toronto also has a growing contemporary African art scene that is worth exploring in the creative space. Many Black people settled in Canada due to slavery and continue to immigrate there. Canada has multiple African Arts Spaces just like the British museum and ethnic festivals.
Artnoise open program has curated a unique program for each of these 4 destinations that will give explorers access to a historic and Contemporary African Arts and cultural experience.
Book Now to be one of the 15 for each destination: https://artnoiseng.com/openresidency/
For additional questions and inquiries about the program, kindly email Christine- artnoiseng@gmail.com.
To learn about WAtreats $5,000 funding opportunity for professional artists and other creatives in collaboration with Artnoise 2021-2023 programs, click here
What do you think about this opportunity, 124 years post-Africa’s Looted Art? Comment below!
Story by Artnoiseng.com / Image Credit: Black Panther/Disney Studios
