SYMBOLS OF LIFE: BEYOND PERCEPTION
An Artistic Exploration of the Human Soul
In the context of the 2024 Dakar Contemporary Art Biennale's OFF program, "Symbols of Life: Beyond Perception" brings together the work of two remarkable West African contemporary artists whose creations delve into the heart of symbols and the essence of life itself.
November 7 - December 31, 2024
“Art is animated by invisible forces that rule the universe.”
Léopold Sédar Senghor, first president of Senegal
In the context of the 2024 Dakar Art Biennale’s OFF program, Africa’s premiere art event, our exhibition SYMBOLS OF LIFE: BEYOND PERCEPTION - An Artistic Exploration of the Human Soul, in partnership with local organizer DakartNews, explores the spiritual dimension of human existence through the lens of African Sufi and indigenous traditions, by bringing together the works of two remarkable artists, Tidiane Ndongo (Mali) and Djibril Coulibaly (Senegal), who together focus on the heart of symbols and the essence of life itself.
Symbols are more than mere visual elements; they are a language through which humanity expresses and comprehends its deepest truths. What defines these artists' approach is not the mere imitation of objects but the vitality that animates them. They invite an alternative relationship with our world. Their works are not representations of objects but rather symbols and suggestions,” echoing the late Senegalese President Léopold Sédar Senghor's philosophy on African art.
The participating artists invite us to look beyond the surface and reflect on universal themes such as identity, transformation, heritage, and transmission. Each piece tells a story, using powerful symbols to evoke reflections on the human experience. Tidiane Ndongo’s intricate mudcloth patterns and Djibril Coulibaly’s dynamic fingerprint motifs encourage contemplation on the shared human condition.
SYMBOLS OF LIFE: BEYOND PERCEPTION, curated by Rémy Mallet, the founder of DakartNews, is an invitation to explore these universal truths through the evocative lens of art, offering a profound sensory journey that resonates beyond the visual, speaking directly to the soul.
ARTISTS
Please click photo for artist's page
Please click photo for artist's page
EXHIBITION CATALOG
CURATOR & LOCAL ORGANIZER
Rémy Mallet is an art journalist. He worked several years in Bonn, Germany for Deutsche Welle, the German public international broadcaster. He’s the founder of DakartNews, an online platform that promotes contemporary African visual artists. Through DakartNews, he’s dedicated to show-casing contemporary African artists from Senegal and West Africa, firmly believing in the ability of art to unite people and act as a powerful catalyst for intercultural dialogue. DakartNews operates in English to reach a global audience, bridging diverse cultures and fostering cross-cultural understanding on an international scale. For more information see: www.dakartnews.com
Read our interview with Rémy Mallet: Interview
VENUE
Le Djoloff Hotel is located in Dakar, Senegal, in the heart of the vibrant Fann Hock district. It had been a very popular venue for bar-dancing during the early 1980s and 90s. It is truly an architectural pearl combining tradition with modernity, for this establishment was completely rehabilitated in 2008 by Yves and Ella Laplace—aficionados of the African continent. Transformed into a charming boutique hotel, Le Djoloff mixes a West African-inspired architecture with local materials and furniture created by Senegalese artists, whose works decorate its walls and fill its furniture.
In 2017, it has also opened up a jazz club in its basement, thereby resurrecting the hotel's long musical tradition. This unique place, with its terrace overlooking Dakar’s Soumbédioune Bay, offers an experience that combines elegance, comfort, and an ethical and ecological approach, including its newest buildings made of compressed earth bricks and its environmentally-friendly air conditioning system. Today, Le Djoloff hosts a vibrant mix of distinguished travelers and renowned artists, offering an ambiance that is intimate, artistic, and welcoming. For more information, see: www.hoteldjoloff.fr
