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 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 African Arts destinations across Africa and the diaspora where one can explore historic and contemporary African and Black Arts and Culture, here are four:
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.
Togo – Togo is a French-speaking coastal city in West Africa. Togo is abundant with waterfalls, costal palm-lined beaches as well as a rich native arts scenes and a new contemporary art space which was opened in 2019. Togo has 37 ethnic tribes, growing contemporary arts scene and rich traditional arts practices.
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 it diversity. South Africa has multiple world class arts spaces.
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 ethnical festivals.
Artnoise has curated a unique program to 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/
Main image credit: Black Panther/Disney Studios
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