“Connecting Afro Futures. Fashion x Hair x Design” travels to Dakar in March for its first project hub on the continent dedicated to research, meetings, networking, and presentations:
BAADAYE
A project by Ken Aicha Sy in collaboration with KhaleeBi Prod, Oyalviews, Mauaya Jua, Moulaye, Aida Ndiaye, and Judith Kiangebeni Wolo
As part of “Connecting Afro Futures. Fashion x Hair x Design”
Date: Friday, March 22, 2019
Location: Résidence Vives Voix (Rue de Louga X Rue A, Point E)
Time: 3 pm release and discussion with the team of curators from Berlin
6 pm opening with guests
The title of the work, BAADAYE, “future,” is borrowed from Swahili, the most spoken language on the African continent. BAADAYE undertakes a photographic and videographic research into Afro-futuristic visions for the African continent: What will Africans of the year 2200 look like?
The photographic work takes the form of a triptych which, alluding to Adam and Eve, presents a man, Djissene, and a woman, Awa, in three different stages of their lives: Childhood, youth and old age. As a result of the collaboration with various artists from Dakar, this exploration of the creation process draws a vision of future Afro descendants.
The videographic part of BAADAYE consists of interviews with visionaries from graphic design, music, literature or economics who discuss the topic of “Afro Futures” from their perspectives.
Will the future be fruitful or apocalyptic? BAADAYE does not offer a utopian, but an optimistic view of the future.
For more information see:
https://web.facebook.com/events/258227518398859/
SHAMELESS AFRO HAIR
An exhibition project by Adama Paris
As part of “Connecting Afro Futures. Fashion x Hair x Design”
Location: Hotel Pullman Teranga, Dakar
Opening: Thursday, March 28, 2019, 6 to 9 pm
Exhibition: March 28-April 28, 2019
Wearing natural Afro hair is often viewed as an almost political statement. Women embracing this style are seen as being closer to their black or African culture. Unlike women who feel compelled to smoothen their hair and texture to fit in easier, to move better in society and almost in camouflage.
Is Afro hair only about natural hair or hair extensions known as weaves, or can braids also be considered as being part of it?
This debate has been going on ever since slavery was abolished. Afro women amongst themselves classified and denigrated each other according to how they wear their hair.
This exhibition is all about embracing natural AFRO HAIR, extensions, braids or wigs to change the narrative, to express a new unapologetic beauty aesthetic.
A shameless way of seeing Afro Hair.
For more information see: http://www.wakhart.com/adama-paris-presente-shameless-afro-hair-%EF%BB%BF/
“Connecting Afro Futures. Fashion x Hair x Design” is a project of the Kunstgewerbemuseum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin. Funded by the TURN Fund of the German Federal Cultural Foundation.
Project partners: Goethe Zentrum Kampala; Ugandan Arts Trust, Kampala; Wakh’Art, Dakar; fluctuating images, Berlin; Fashion Africa Now, Hamburg