Dak'Art: The Biennale of Dakar and the Making of Contemporary African Art

The Dak Art biennale in Dakar, Senegal, is a top 20 biennial that explores the impact of globally-acting art biennials on current discourses surrounding the place of art in the world and in the academic study of anthropology. It examines the biennale's objectives, selection strategies, exhibition spaces, platforms for debate, and discourses between the State, the secretariat, and local artists and art world professionals. It also questions the cyclical creation of contemporary African art and challenges assumptions around practice in general biennale scholarship and work.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 29 April 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The Dak Art biennale, held in Dakar, Senegal, serves as a powerful lens through which to explore current discourses surrounding the place of art in the world, particularly within the academic study of anthropology. This comprehensive volume delves into the rich tapestry of the Dak Art biennale, ranked among the top 20 biennials globally. Through a blend of fieldwork, archival research, and firsthand accounts from those involved, the chapters in this volume shed light on the profound impact of globally-acting art biennials. They contribute significantly to the ongoing scholarship on biennales and the broader anthropology of the art scene.

Part I of the book sets the stage by tracing the historical roots of the Dak Art biennale and examining its place within the context of the rise of contemporary art in Senegal. It explores the biennale's founding principles, its objectives, selection strategies, exhibition spaces, platforms for debate, and the complex discourses that emerge between the State, the secretariat, local artists, and art world professionals.

Part II delves deeper into the intricacies of the biennale, shedding light on its various dimensions. It examines the goals and aspirations of the organizers, the criteria used for selecting artists, the design of the exhibition spaces, the role of platforms for dialogue, and the interplay between the State, the secretariat, and local artists and art world professionals. This section provides a comprehensive understanding of the biennale's organizational structure and its impact on the artistic landscape.

Part III takes a closer look at the cyclical creation of contemporary African art within the framework of the Dak Art biennale. It raises important questions about whether the biennial contributes to the establishment of local canonical practices or fosters a broader understanding of African artistic expressions. The authors explore the dynamics of artistic production, the role of the biennial in shaping artistic practices, and the potential for the biennial to contribute to the development of a regional or global art scene.

In the Epilogue, the book takes a thought-provoking turn by using the Dak Art biennale as a case study to challenge assumptions prevalent in the broader field of biennale scholarship. It engages in a dialogic structure between practitioners of art and anthropologists, fostering a deeper understanding of the complex relationships between art, culture, and society. The Epilogue explores the ways in which the biennale both reflects and shapes contemporary discourses surrounding art, offering valuable insights for students, scholars, and practitioners alike.

This unique volume appeals to a wide range of audiences, including students of anthropology, art history, and practice, African studies, and curatorial practice. It provides a comprehensive and interdisciplinary perspective on the Dak Art biennale, offering valuable insights into the evolving landscape of art and its significance in shaping our understanding of the world.

Weight: 430g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367562717