From October 4, 2024 to January 5, 2025, the Conciergerie in Paris will be transformed into a veritable showcase for Beninese artists, celebrating an unprecedented exhibition dedicated to the teeming creativity of this culturally rich land. Under the aegis of the National Monuments Center and in synergy with Benin’s Arts and Culture Development Agency (ADAC), this artistic showcase entitled “Revelation! Contemporary Art from Benin” opens a door onto the vibrant world of contemporary Beninese art. This initiative embodies the conviction that art transcends borders, and invites visitors to meet Benin’s artists while delving into the fascinating culture and history of this West African country.
A dialogue between past and present: Beninese art in the spotlight!
The exhibition, which made its brilliant debut at the Marina Palace in Cotonou in February 2022 as part of the diptych “Art du Bénin d’hier et d’aujourd’hui, de la restitution à la révélation: Trésors royaux et Art contemporain du Bénin”, not only revealed the brilliance of the twenty-six royal treasures returned by France, but also elevated the contemporary art scene of Benin and its diaspora to the international stage.
The exhibition then moved on to the Mohammed VI Museum in Rabat, Morocco, in January 2023, before moving to the Clément Foundation in Martinique in December 2023. To round off the year in style, “Revelation! Contemporary Art from Benin” will be setting up shop in the historic Paris venue, offering a panoramic journey to the heart of contemporary Beninese art. With a vibrant ballet of mediums and supports, this immersive exhibition reveals the vitality and uniqueness of the Beninese art scene and its diaspora.
“Revelation! Contemporary Art from Benin” presents itself as a major artistic platform, showcasing the creativity of some forty Beninese artists through a hundred exclusive works, each of immersive depth. The exhibition space comes alive with a harmonious blend of mediums, navigating between sculpture, video, design, installation, photography, styling, painting, performance and drawing, among others. All these elements are linked by a common thread, revealing the richness and vibrant diversity of Benin’s contemporary scene.
The exhibition has been carefully designed to highlight the relevance and incredible creative ground of Beninese art, nourished by its history and cultures. Presented at the Conciergerie in Paris, in the heart of the Royal City Palace, the venue was chosen to resonate with local royalty. As the former seat of Capetian power, it takes on a special symbolic value, echoing the works linked to Beninese royalty and illustrating the majestic palaces of the ancient Danxomé.
Some pieces have even been specifically created for the event. From the symbolism of each work, everything has been thought out so that “Révélation! Contemporary Art from Benin” underlines the extent to which the inspiration of contemporary artists is rooted in the tradition and history of Benin. The exhibition thus offers visitors a global vision of the country’s contemporary art, while exploring its diverse influences and the cultural bridges to be forged between France and this African nation rich in heritage.
“Revelation! Contemporary art from Benin”: three chapters to explore the essence of Beninese culture
Under the enlightened direction of Yassine Agniké Lassissi, director of ADAC’s visual arts department and co-curator of the “Art contemporain du Bénin” exhibition, and with the expertise of Emmanuel Daydé, art historian and curator of several notable projects, “Révélation! Contemporary Art from Benin” is organized into three major chapters.
The first section, Goddesses and Gods, opens the way to a fascinating exploration of the divinities that animate the Vodun cult. Visitors plunge into the heart of the culture and mythology of this ancestral religion, discovering through emblematic works the divine incarnations that make it so rich.
The second chapter, Queens and Kings, highlights the power and glory of the rulers of Abomey, whose legacy continues to shape Benin’s customs and traditions. These memorable figures, sometimes celebrated, sometimes contested, are revealed through artistic creations that capture the essence of their reign.
Finally, to crown this groundbreaking exhibition, the last chapter, Women and Men, focuses on those who live and struggle today in a contemporary globalized world. This segment highlights the voices of individuals whose lives are shaped by internationalization, a world where cultures blend, sometimes dilute, and new identities emerge.
Through this invisible but powerful narrative thread, “Revelation! Contemporary Art from Benin” invites us on an introspective journey, exploring the rich heritage of the past while bearing witness to the dynamism and challenges of the present. It is a captivating artistic adventure in which contemporary artists from Benin weave a profound and engaging narrative of their country. Building bridges between past and present, and between ancestral traditions and contemporary practices, this groundbreaking exhibition offers visitors an immersion in the cultural richness and evolution of Beninese art.
“Revelation! Contemporary art from Benin”: a look at Benin’s contemporary artists
The exhibition features works by forty-one artists, including Georges Adéagbo, Laeïla Adjovi, Euloge Ahanhanzo-Gèlè, Eliane Aïsso, Edwige Aplogan, Aston, Youss Atacora, François Aziangué, Moufouli Bello, Sébastien Boko, Charly d’Almeida, Emo de Medeiros, Sènami Donoumassou, Kiffouli Dossou, Stevens Dossou-Yovo, Ludovic Fadaïro, Dimitri Fagbohoun, Meschac Gaba, King Houndékpinkou, Nobel Koty, Dominique Gnonnou Kouas, Marcel Kpoho, Eric Médéda, Roméo Mivekannin, Fabrice Monteiro, Louis Oké Agbo, Thierry Oussou, Yves Apollinaire Pèdé, Gérard Quenum, Rémy Samuz, Julien Sinzogan, Hector Sonon, Tchif, Epaphras Dègnon Toïhen, Cyprien Tokoudagba, Prince Toffa, Julien Vignikin, Didier Viodé, Nathanaël Vodouhè, Ponce Zannou, Dominique Zinpkè.
“Revelation! Contemporary Art from Benin” is an essential initiative in the Republic of Benin’s strategy to showcase its contemporary art. The exhibition aims not only to spotlight local talent, but also to integrate Beninese art into international circuits, boosting the visibility of artists on the world stage.