World African and Afro-Descendant Culture Day (WACD)

Exhibition "Impressions africaines, contemporary photography by women"

THE WORLD DAY OF AFRICAN AND AFRO-DESCENDANT CULTURE (JMCA)

UNESCO proclaimed January 24 "World Day of African and Afro-descendant Culture" in 2019.

This day celebrates the many living cultures of the African continent and of African diasporas around the world.

It promotes these cultures as an effective lever in the service of sustainable development, dialogue, and peace. As a rich source of shared world heritage, promoting African and Afro-descendant culture is essential for the development of the continent and for humanity in general.

IESA arts&culture joined this global project from its very first edition, thanks to its initiator and founder John Ayite Dossavi. Today IESA celebrates the 6th edition of the World Day of African and Afro-descendant Culture (JMCA).

PROGRAM

IESA offers a program around art, culture, and business.

This day was marked by highlights that underscored the vitality of flagship projects led by initiatives of artists, gallery owners, designers, and entrepreneurs.

I- A group exhibition: African Impressions, Contemporary Photography by Women

From January 22 to 28, 2024

Guest artists: Edwige Aplogan, Diagne Chanel, Sophie Kouyaté, Bruce Clarke, Mouhamadou Diop, Collin Sekajugo, Mabeye Deme, Davina Jogi, Lucy Boderick, Anastasie Langu, Milena Carranza.

II- Opening Address and Partners

Our partners.

This day is offered by IESA’s Africa department in partnership with the association of friends of IESA, the Art-Z gallery run by Olivier Sultan, the MOCA platform, run by Alain Bidjeck, and Africa by art - ABA, a platform run by Olivier Laurac Mbilia.

  • MOCA

Alain Bidjeck, director of MOCA, offers international meetings whose purpose is to showcase young entrepreneurs from Africa and its diaspora. He discussed the 2022 edition held in Rwanda and the one held in 2023 in Rabah.

  • ABA Africa by Art

Olivier Laurac Mbilia, director of the Africa by art - ABA platform, presented ABA, Africa by ART, and its actions.

  • GALERIE Art -Z

Olivier Sultan presented the ART-Z Gallery, a pioneer of photography from the continent, from several African countries.

III- A Discussion Panel

Women Artists from the African Continent: An Appropriation of Aesthetic Photography?

Moderation: Edwige Aplogan and Olivier Sultan.

With the kind participation of: Edwige Aplogan, Diagne Chanel, Anastasie Langu, Milena Carranza.

This conversation offered a few avenues of reflection on photographic practice and its aesthetics today.