Until November 2, contemporary African art is back in the spotlight with the exhibition “Côte d’Ivoire est zo”. Presented by the OpenArtExchange gallery, this exhibition represents the second stage in a bold series born of the idea that “contemporary African art doesn’t exist”. After its launch in Benin with “Gléhoué – Maison de la terre”, which offered Dutch audiences a glimpse of Cotonou’s cultural richness, Ivory Coast is now added to this conversation about the diversity and beauty of contemporary artistic creation in Africa.
This celebration of history and contemporary African art highlights Ivorian talents Armand Boua, Pascal Konan and Mounou Désiré Koffi, who will enrich the OpenArtExchange gallery space. After visually exploring the roots of the voodoo religion, the tragedy of the transatlantic slave trade and the epic war stories of the Beninese kingdoms, “Côte d’Ivoire est zo” introduces new perspectives that testify to the relevance and boundless imagination of African art today.
The second stop on this artistic journey is Ivory Coast, a small pearl of West Africa, distinguished by its rich agricultural diversity. As one of the world’s leading producers of cocoa, palm oil and coffee, the country presents itself as a dynamic post-colonial society, with a solid cultural infrastructure and a varied palette of cultural and artistic traditions. This wealth of customs feeds local artistic practice, the fruit of the wide variety of ethnic groups that make up the nation.
In this culture, where ancestral traditions mingle with imported religious influences, fertile ground is created for innovation and creativity. However, Ivory Coast, in search of a clear national identity and traversed by cultural diversity, also faces major contemporary challenges. These include major economic and social disparities, environmental problems linked to its intensive agriculture, and the challenges of urban life in its major cities.
The title of the exhibition “Côte d’Ivoire est zo” is inspired by a song by Serge Beynaud, which reinvents a festive national anthem, celebrating the country’s achievements and the joyful side of life. The works of the artists featured enrich this positive vision of the Ivorian nation. Armand Boua, Pascal Konan and Mounou Désiré Koffi embody the diversity and talent of the Abidjan art scene. Together, they weave an immersive narrative that reflects the many dimensions of contemporary life in Ivory Coast.
At the heart of his art, Armand Boua plunges sensitively into the human condition, highlighting in particular the reality of marginalized children in West Africa. Renowned for his textured, abstract works, this Ivorian visual artist employs a unique technique of superimposing tar and acrylic on recycled materials. With successive gestures, he removes the layers, revealing abstract forms that resonate with the violence and hardship experienced by these young people. In “Côte d’Ivoire est zo”, his work doesn’t just capture raw emotion; it also highlights the harsh realities of political struggles in West Africa, testifying to a deep commitment to his times.
Pascal Konan’s vibrant, expressive works draw the public’s attention to the exhibition. As a painter and teacher at the Beaux-Arts d’Abidjan, he immortalizes vivid scenes of African urban life. To bring singularity and depth to his creations, he combines a varied palette of techniques to create psychedelic yet structured compositions. Through his art, Pascal Konan focuses on themes of happiness and the human condition, advocating authentic humanism despite contemporary societal challenges.
As for Mounou Désiré Koffi, he immerses visitors to “Côte d’Ivoire est zo” in the hustle and bustle of Ivorian cities. His works, rich in hidden meaning, are adorned with unusual elements. For example, he uses cell phone keyboards to illustrate the concept of technological evolution, while raising questions about programmed obsolescence and the environmental problems that go with it. His creations also evoke pressing themes such as flooding, traffic jams, the reality of child soldiers, and the evolving urban identities that emerge in this ever-changing context.
From Armand Boua’s works depicting homeless street children, to Mounou Désiré Koffi’s colorful urban landscapes and portraits created from recycled cell phone tablets, to the surreal reflections on denim executed in acrylic and ink by Pascal Konan, often referred to as the “African Escher”, the “Côte d’Ivoire est zo” exhibition offers a captivating glimpse into the country’s artistic wealth. While this sample is both fascinating and revealing of the many creative facets of Ivory Coast, it also inspires a desire to explore further the multiple artistic expressions emerging from this vibrant nation.