The Dakar-Martigny project: Tribute to the Biennale of Contemporary Art gives voice to contemporary African creation through a selection of works, exhibited at Dak'Art, the largest Art Biennale on the African continent. From June 10 to September 18, 2016, the public is invited to discover the vast and rich world of contemporary African art: 10 exhibition venues in the city of Martigny, more than 30 exceptional artists presenting painting, installation- videos, design, sculpture. A musical, cinematographic and literary program accompanies the exhibition. For a long time Dak'Art has been the only biennial on the African continent and the only platform at the international level to promote the productions of African artists. Also through this great summer exhibition 2016, the city of Martigny pays homage to it. The Dakar-Martigny exhibition is composed of an In and an Off. The In, which takes place at the Manoir de la Ville de Martigny, the Barry Foundation and the Museum of Earth Sciences, presents the work of some thirty artists who have all exhibited at the Dakar Biennial. There is a balance between paintings, sculptures, videos and photographs, as well as between renowned artists and young talents well established on the international scene. The Off, he, shows the works of artists in other sites of the city of Martigny. It occupies a variety of places including shops, cafes or bookstores. Dakar-Martigny gives the opportunity to discover a wide range of creations. The work of Edmon Khalil, Douglas Sokari, Fabrice Monteiro or El Anatsui invite us to reflect on the lack of ecology and the urgent need to mobilize us by adopting other approaches. John Akomfrah and Nomusa Makhubu address the issue of the weight of history and the identity divide. Nù Barreto, Aimé Mpane, Bruce Clarke, George Hughes, Aboudia, Pacal Konan denounce the injustices that persist. Maksaens Denis and Pélagie Gbaguidi work on memory to talk about historical and personal experiences. Souleymane Keita, Moustapha Dime, Ndary Lo, Safaa Erruas, Abdoulaye Ndoye, Nirveda Alleck, Ismaila Fatty, Abdoulaye Konaté maintain the approaches and periods, drawing on ancient cosmogonies and philosophies to motivate a contemplation. Saïdou Dicko, foils the unique identity, Ibrahima Kebé invests the orality to bring back scenes of life and Mwangi Hutter looks disillusioned on the clichés. Jean Servais Somian and César Dogbo, through design, rely on the functional and the dialogue of cultures. All enrich our experience of the world. "Art, which is beyond language, engages the vision and makes us look differently at what we face to better meet the challenges ahead. --Highlights Hélène Tissières, curator of the exhibition
