“There is no African art, rather a manifestation of human creativity which developed and expressed itself under the given circumstances on the African continent”, wrote Jean Laude 40 years ago, in reaction to the then-common insulting appraisals of contemporary African art.

Until today Africa’s contemporary art has received insufficient recognition, and its presence in the international art scene is relatively insignificant. The globalisation of art and the “equal access of all cultures” to the art market remain - even today - an illusion.

However, there are a multitude of initiatives aiming to boost international recognition of Africa's artistic creativity. These often operate on a local level, creating an environment and providing facilities for contemporary artistic work. Through the organization of encounter- and exchange projects these initiatives get more and more international attention.

“The narrow portal?” exhibition may be placed in this context, as it picks out not only the obstacles, but also the opportunities, that arise from the globalization of the art scene. Beyond the subject matter of the individual artworks, the exhibition is also a testament to the growing dynamism of the art scene on the African continent. 

By means of their artworks presented here – “Vie-sa”, ”UE”, “NEWS NOW”, “Gariibu” and “Europe Your Hope”, Achillekà, Soly Cissé, Nu-Barreto, Saïdou Dicko and Mara explore video art in all its diversity. From their different points of view they critically analyse ‘artistic freedom’ in Africa and the international circulation of African artists and their works.

Dr. Youma Fall

Nu-Barreto was born and grew up in Guinea-Bissau. He studied at the Ecole de Photographie 4AEP and at the Ecole Nationale des Métiers d'Image - Gobelins in Paris. As a painter, photographer and video artist Nu-Barreto has participated in many international exhibitions: at the National Museum of Fine Art in Rio de Janeiro; the biannual in Dakar in 2006; Afrique-Europe - rêves croisés (Atelier des Tanneurs) in Brussels in 2006; at the Trans-aide/Draveil in Sandaré, France; in the centre of cultural encounter (CCRN) in Neumünster, Luxembourg; at the Lusovideografia – Oi Futuro in Rio de Janeiro; at the “Musée de la cité des sciences de la Villette Quand l’Afrique s’éveillera” in Paris, etc. He lives and works in Torcy, France, also doing a lot of children’s-book illustration, for example for “The Princess, the cowry shell and the Baobab” by Massamba Gueye, and the cover of “Cabaz die Amor” by Carlos Vieira. As a chronicalist of his time, Nu-Barreto uses current events to analyse and understand contemporary society. In his Videowork “News Now” (14 minute 25 sec) he deals critically with the way in which African cultural news is presented in the press, but also with the uncritical behaviour of its consumers towards this news. The video examines the TV Channel WTO (World Television Obligatoire – obligatory worldTV) which distorts issues and presents stories with contradictory content and chronology. “News Now” shows, among other things, themes concerning Obama, African presidencies, etc.

The autodidact Saïdou Dicko, born in 1979 in Déou, Burkina Faso, was one of the new discoveries in the Off-programm at Dak’Art 2006, where he introduced the work „Le voleur d’ombre“ (The Thief of Shadows). At the age of five the shepherd Dicko learns to draw by reproducing the shapes of the shadows cast by his sheep in the Sahelsand. After visiting the Koranschool he leaves for Ouagadougou to learn French. He paints and draws tirelessy, exhibiting his works at his home-gallery. In 2005 he moved to Dakar, where he dedicates his time to digital photography. In his work “The Shadowthief” he captures silhouettes of hundreds of men, women, children and animals, revealing the subtleties of their composure and behavioural manner. The shift from digital photography to video is an easyand almost logic step for Dicko. Since his being awarded the newcomers prize from the Fondation Blachère, he has received international attention and has taken part in numerous exhibitions in Europe and Africa. In 2007 he was awarded Best Photographer at the “7. Rencontres Africaines de la Photographie” in Bamako. Dicko lives and works in Paris. In the videoinstallation “Gariibu” (“Beggar” in the language Fulfulde) he deals with the world of Talibés, the little beggars, who are dependent upon the goodwill of the Marabouts (religious leaders) and the politicians. According to Dicko, the problem of "development" also has internal causes. The artist invites the children to keep up their hopes and not sink into crime. The music for the video is a song by Dicko, sung in Fulfulde.

Komguem Kamsu Achille was born in Douala, Cameroon, in 1973. The painter, sculptor and videoartist with the artist name Achillekà Komguem lives and works in Douala. In addition to graduating from studies in painting and art history and a Masters in painting at the University of Yaundé I, he also graduates from the Institut Formation Artistique (IFA) in Mbalmayo (Cameroon). Achillekà has taken part in numerous international exhibitions in Africa and Europe. Between 1999 and 2003 he chaired the “Club des Arts Plastiques” at the University of Yaundé I and actively took part in a variety of projects on art development in Africa, including the project “Exit Tour” - an exhibition and exchange project between seven African countries in the context of the Off-programms at Dak’Art 2006. He has also been part of the biennal for photography in Bamako in 2007, the Dak’art 2008, “Spot on...” DAK’ART 2008 at the IFA-Galerie in Berlin; “For Your Eyes Only” in the Denmark Art council in Copenhagen; World One minute exhibition in Today Art Museum in Beijing, China; PANAF 2, Panafrican Festival in Algier, Algeria; and “Here and Now” at the Joburg art tradefair in South Africa.  Achillekà Konguem is a master of digital art. In his films he describes the precarity and uncertainty of life in Africa, where many people are forced to improvise to survive. Based on profound and conceptional research Achillekas work becomes a poetic plea against violence, discriminaton and the misuse of power. In 2004 he receives the “Award in Visual Arts” from UNESCO. In his video work “Vie-sa” (3 min) he explores, by means of hand semiotics, the chaotic universe of visa applications. This he constructs through a performance by two people of different skin colour: “BLACK – WHITE”. The video consists solely of hands moving on a table, in order to characterise the succession of interpersonal exchange, tolerance and freedom. The video questions the notions of borders and ideological/physical barriers which exist in this world in more and more agressive ways.

Serigne Mor Niang (known as Mara) was born in Thiès in Senegal in 1972. After the completion of his studies at the Ecole Nationale des Arts in Dakar in 2002 he continued with various further courses of study, for example in the areas of fashion and graphic design. Following this he graduates from the University of Art and Industrial Design in Linz and holds a Masters in Digital Fine Arts from the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna. Currently Mara lives and works in Vienna, where he is studying at the Art Academy. As an artist he uses different technics like drawing, photography, sculpture and video art, to create his own art language, which is mainly inspired by travel and encounters. The multitalented and internationally recognised artist has an endless thirst for knowledge. In fashion, as in videoart, Mara shows himself as a socially engaged artist, for whom everyday reality is the main source of inspiration. His video and design works were exhibited at the biennal Dak’art 2006; at the Aterlier des Tanneurs in Brüssel, Belgium; in the Kunsthalle Exnergasse WUK Vienna; in Den Hvide Kødby, “The white meatcity” in Copenhagen, Denmark. In the video “Votre Europe Espoir” (Europe Your Hope) he deals with African migration to Europe; specifically, the suffering of those migrants, who lose the hope they had on arrival, and begin to fall into a state of disillusionment.

J. Enoka Ayemba is the curator of the Film Series in the framework of RE/VISIONS. He works as a Film Critique and Consultant in Berlin, his key areas are the African Cinema Cultures, the Nigerian Videofilm Industry and Anticolonial Resistance.