By ANINO AGANBI

The African Artists’ Foundation (AAF) launched the 2nd edition of Art Base Africa on the 26th of September, 2014, at the British Council, Ikoyi, Lagos. The foundation along side Ford Foundation successfully brought together artists of all sphere to hold the long awaited debate.

The Art Base Africa (ABA) is an online platform that is fosters a critical debate for contemporary African art on the Internet. It has a platform that has a comprehensive archive and database for the African arts community; this also includes a website and online journal that is published in quarterly thematic issues.

*Cross section of Art Base Africa panelists

Designing Africa, presents a survey of key contemporary emerging and established African designers, architects and artists who are making bold, definitive changes in their communities, fields and practices. Through interviews and project presentations, the lifestyle, work and processes of these exceptional African artists who are taking African design in a new, self-defined direction was discussed at great length.

Various projects ranged from graphic interpretations of provenance and creation myths, to product design centered on material and cultural exploration, urban and community interventions, fashion which pushes the limits of textiles to migration, geography and identity.

Designing Africa asserts the vital place of the African designer in the local and global design discourse through exciting and novel models of creation and expression. An issue was raised on ‘How can art be commercialized, presenting it in a way that is accessible and tangible to the average man on the street trying to survive?

Yegwa Ukpo of Stranger Lagos reacted to that and said that “Design locates a problem and solves it. Art is subjective and not as tangible. It is the mirror of the society, constantly asking it to re-evaluate itself in order to grow. That is why it can’t be commercial but subjective”. The distinction between art and design should be given.

Projects and contributions where featured from David Adjaye, Duro Olowu, Wanuri Kahiu, Angélique Gakoko Pitteloud, Momodou Ceesay, Ada Umeofia, Gerald Machona, Ifeanyi Oganwu, Doreen Adengo, Pwavidon Mathias, Laduma Ngxokolo, Clari Green, Brian Omolo, Aisha Augie-Kuta, Peter Mabeo, Kunle Adeyemi/NLÉ’s Makoko Floating School project, Stranger Lagos, Godfrey Mwampembwa aka Gado, Victoria Udondian, Fey F Olumuyiwa, Ibiayi Briggs, Orlando Reade, Medina Dugger, Shannon Lawrence, BurcuYancatarol Yagiz, Alafuro Sikoki-Coleman and Azu Nwagbogu.

Panelists at the event included Ojoma Ochai; Director Arts, British Council,  Yegwa Ukpo (Stranger), Pwavidon Mathias, Ada Umeofia, Clari Green, and Aisha Angie-Kuta.