By John Owoo

(In Abidjan – La Côte d’Ivoire)

A large-scale exhibition of works by thirty African artists opened last Wednesday at the newly constructed Musée des Cultures Contemporaines Adama Toungara, which is located in the sprawling Abidjan suburb of Abobo.

Opened by the Ivorian first lady Madam Dominique Ouattara, the traveling exhibition, which commenced in the Moroccan commercial capital Casablanca in 2019, is a bold move that is showcasing African artworks that are usually seen in European capitals.

Dubbed “Prête-Moi Ton Rêve” and curated by Ivorian academic Prof. Yacouba Konate and Moroccan art consultant Brahim Alaoui, the exhibition, which is easily the largest touring show in Africa, also aims at reversing the obscurity of African artists on the continent by presenting their works and personalities to crowds in various countries.

Organized by the Fondation pour le Développement de la Culture Contemporaine Africaine (FDCCA) under its able director Fihr Kettani, the show emphasizes the importance of collaboration across the continent in changing the rubrics of engagement with African art.

Artists on show include Ghanaian painter / sculptor Kofi Setordji, Algerian painter Zoulikha Bouabdellah, Ivorian sculptor Jems Robert Kobobi, Egyptian painter Adel El Siwi, Malian weaver Abdoulaye Konate, South African sculptor Jane Alexander, Congolese painter Chéri Samba, Beninois painter / sculptor Dominique Zinkpe and Cameroonian painter Barthélémy Toguo.

With a unique format in showcasing works, curators in each city are at liberty to interpret and put their own spin on the exhibition. In this direction – the focus will be on a Pan-African event that accedes to the needs of local people – thereby making it more accessible to various communities, while highlighting the distinctions of African cities. 

The exhibition is equally meant to act as an inspiration for young African artists as they aspire to show their works on the continent since they have a lot to offer in the development of Africa. It also aims at ensuring that collectors recognize the continent as a place worthy of attention and erode the notion that artists would only gain attention after leaving Africa.

It is expected to take place in seven cities – Casablanca (Morocco), Dakar (Senegal), Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire), Lagos (Nigeria), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Cape Town (South Africa) and Marrakech (Morocco) – all of which have stimulating new art markets.

“Prête-Moi Ton Rêve”, which also marked the official opening of Musée des Cultures Contemporaines Adama Toungara, ends on Sunday April 19, 2020.

By John Owoo

(In Abidjan – La Côte d’Ivoire)

The Pan African Youth Orchestra (PAYO) yesterday treated over 5000 students in the Ivorian capital Abidjan to its brand of music, which is characterized by diverse traditional rhythms and their contemporary extensions.

Conducted by Kweku Kwakye, the Ghanaian group – which comprised over twenty musicians – treated the huge crowd to combination traditional rhythms that have been reworked and expanded into neo-classical pieces.

Indeed, rhythms from a vast array of traditional instruments including giant fontonfrom drums, xylophones, atentenben flutes, talking drums and a variety of shakers / bells sent fans on a musical journey that is definitely on the contemporary tip but with its heart and soul firmly embedded in Africa. 

Undeniably, an extraordinary bunch of kids playing extraordinary music coupled with the superb direction by Kwakye turned the performance into an African celebration – a celebration that enjoined African kids appreciating their past in contemporary terms.

Interspersed with continuous cheers and catcalls from the students, PAYO created tradition within tradition while showcasing conventional music in an orchestral disposition that recalled the authenticity of indigenous African music and compositions by primordial musicians.

Through a new synthesis that is jubilant and vitally rhythmic, PAYO worked its way into the hearts of the students, some of who jumped onto the stage and performed Ivorian traditional dances as their peers cheered and supported them with rhythmic clapping. 

With a voice a voice that is high, supple and charged with enthusiasm, a female atenteben player surprised the crowd as she sang a solo that reverberated through the rather huge auditorium that overlooks lagoon Ebrie with amazing speed.  

The concept of MASA was developed in 1990 at the Liege conference of Ministers of Culture and Francophonie. In 1998, MASA was officially named an international organization for the promotion of African performing arts and in January 1999, an agreement was signed between La Côte d’Ivoire and MASA in respect of establishing its headquarters in the capital Abidjan.

By John Owoo

(In Abidjan – La Côte d’Ivoire)

Robust dancer / choreographer Agathe Djokam never ceases to surprise audiences whenever she mounts the stage – and she did pull a huge one at the ongoing MASA festival in the Ivorian capital Abidjan.

Performing her latest piece titled “A Qui Le Tour?” at a plush theatre in the Palais de la Culture, the young dancer showcased arresting images as she exposed the threads of life’s experiences with a body overlain by tremors.

In sharing the frustration and depression associated with mourning, the Cameroonian opened the performance at the foyer of the theatre with a skipping rope – and virtually skipped for fifteen minutes and continued the act even as the rope fell off signifying a state of confusion.

As she found her way onto the stage, she descended into her own world and exhibited convulsive body shakes, quivering and self-torture while managing to sustain alternation between calmness and anguish.

With distinct movements – all of which depicted distress and torment – the dancer who was clad in black, effectively employed her body not only to show or expose the feeling of anxiety but equally illustrated how to manage, cope and dispel it.

In a performance that witnessed constant movement on stage, the Hung Dance Company from Taiwan delivered a piece that is quite unclear but engulfed the theatre with fast moving scenes that caught eyes with every move.

Dubbed “Boundless”, the production radiated agitation and turmoil – indeed, conflict is clearly invoked through clenched fists, flying legs, wild stares, shadowy battles and sexually aggressive drives that come into play severally and jointly.

Choreographed by Lai Hung-Chung, the piece was characterized by long sequences in which dancers fall and bounce back on their feet with lightening speed while images move in a rather fast yet in near unsystematic manner.

MASA is a cultural platform for promoting African Performing arts with the objectives of supporting creativity and quality productions while facilitating the movement of artists and their works within the African continent.

By John Owoo

(In Abidjan – La Côte d’Ivoire)

Dance segment for the 2020 edition of Abidjan Market for Performing Arts Festival opened last night in Abidjan with a variety of groups spread over the African continent.

In a memorable performance at Salle Kodjo Ebouclé, located within Palais de la Culture, the Hakili Sigi Dance Company from Burkina Faso brought a magnetic presence, technique and abundant personality to a duet that simply sparkled like the sun.

Choreographed by Lacina Coulibaly and performed alongside Ibrahim Zongo, the pair perfectly synced sculptural poses while moving in slow motion that often end with their bodies in a supple flow, which is powered by a glowing inner strength.

Employing subtle movements, the duo unfolded the piece titled “Sen Koro La” with highly expressive movements that were effectively bookended by grandiose sequences, which bonded with the spotlights shinning faintly on the stage.

Performing bare-chested with white loincloths on their waists, the two dancers radiated energy in a flurry of moves as their well-crafted bodies – obviously from bodybuilding – transmitted messages on the evocation of sacred choreographic universe and traditional African rites.

Accompanied by diverse recorded music including “Mmensoun” from the OPUS one album composed by Ghanaian musicologist Nana Danso Abiam, Coulibaly and Zongo worked their way into the hearts of members of the audience with nimble actions that gradually turned into swift ones.

Oshala Dance Company from Benin engaged the audience with a choreographed Voodoo dance that showcased the traditions of Voodoo through ritualistic music, dance and magical / mystical performances.

With colorful costumes and Vodoo paraphernalia serving as scenography, the musicians displayed wild rhythms that flowed from an array of traditional drums while vigorous and animated dancers / singers crisscrossed the stage.

They equally presented enthusiastic, frantic and acrobatic dances as well as beautiful, harmonious and rhythmically infectious sounds that encircled the theatre alongside enigmatic and varied percussion.

The 2020 edition of the festival, which was opened by the Ivorian Vice President Daniel Kablan Duncan, ends on Saturday March 14. Over one hundred groups and artists are expected to perform in various locations during the festival.

By John Owoo

(In Accra – Ghana)

Didgeridoo, a wind instrument developed by Aboriginals from northern Australia alongside natural sounds from bubbles spurting out of a bowl of water, characterized a poetry session by Rhymesonny and Ofosua at the Goethe-Institut on Thursday.  

With improvisations from musicians Adotey Brown and Danny Tettey Black, the two poets coolly navigated poems on diverse subject matters and themes with remarkable combination of authority, tenderness and restraint.

A creative entrepreneur who has been an indefatigable champion of the cause of contemporary poetry in Ghana, Rhymesonny surprised the audience with a playful prodding of various issues that proved his designation as a lyrical master.

Sporting a cute low cut hair, Ofosua delivered poems that are deeply attentive in detail and managed to keep the audience at the edge of their seats with memorable narratives. Indeed, her practical poems were geared towards significant points alongside vivid imagery.

“It is so refreshing to be in the midst of poets and poetry lovers – we want poetry performances to be widespread in Ghana – undeniably, we the poets must be at the forefront of any programme designed to ensure that it actually happens”, said Yaw Mensah, a young poet in Accra.  

“It was a big surprise to see poets employing didgeridoo and other improvised instruments for a poetry performance in Ghana. These young poets are taking the act to another level – no wonder live poetry is gaining followers in the country”, added Yaa Twum, a Ghanaian writer based in the United Kingdom.

Created over one thousand years ago by isolated Aboriginal tribes, hard bass rhythms from the didgeridoo created an emotive and relaxing atmosphere on the serene balcony of the Goethe-Institut as poems rhythmically and leisurely flowed from the stage.

During a segment for discussion, members of the audience raised issues relating to the categorization of poetry in Ghana owing to the fact that most ceremonies and day to day activities by Ghanaians are replete with poetry while others called for a concerted effort to promote contemporary poetry in the country.

They further acknowledged the Goethe-Institut for its support and creation of a space for poetry in Ghana while calling on other institutions and venues to follow the laudable example of the Institut.  

By John Owoo

(In Accra – Ghana)

Ghanaian, Togolese and Burkinabe dancers on Saturday singularly and collectively showcased the power of cross-cultural collaboration with a magnetic performance at the Alliance Française in Accra.

With Stéphanie Balouri (Burkina Faso), Agbodan Tétévi Alomenenyoh (Togo), Kafui Marcus Tay (Ghana) and musician Koffi Homo (Togo), the trio exhibited distinct movements – indeed, strong yet sensuous and angular yet gracious – as they unfolded “Djolo”, a piece choreographed by Tay.  

With controlled and subdued movements, the dancers effectively transmitted messages relating to the thorny issue of illegal immigration while commentating on the need for long-lasting collaborations between African artists to enhance development of the sector.

A multi instrumentalist, Homo surprised the audience with his dexterity on a variety of drums, bells and shakers as the dancers enchanted the audience with a multiplicity of solos and duets that were not only visually stimulating but equally intense.

“It is exciting to see a young choreographer bring together his colleagues from other African countries to be part of an uplifting collaboration while sharing their passion to an enthusiastic audience”, said Kofi Nti a Ghanaian artist based in the United States.

Earlier members of the Africana Dance Ensemble and Tete Adehyeman Cultural Group showcased a variety of traditional Ghanaian dances commendably stringed together by Tay alongside some contemporary movements.

Clad in colorful costumes and led on by an array of drummers, the dancers who are visually and emotionally striking, appear to call on members of the audience to join them as frenetic drum rhythms engulfed the night air.

Initiated in Burkina Faso in 2018 by Balouri, Alomenenyoh and Tay, the Gododo Project – which spearheaded the production – aims at collaborations through dance residencies and performances while fostering and strengthening cross-cultural dialogue.

Gododo Project, Community Youth Cultural Centre, Tifali Organization and the West African chapter of the International Theatre Institute supported the production.

By John Owoo

(In Accra – Ghana)

Dynamic poets Benumah and Dzaydzorm last week delighted fans at the Goethe-Institut in Accra with poems characterized by elations, distresses, lamentations, personal experiences and a cabinet of memories.                

Together with guitarist Dado Gyan, the poets delved into tradition, romance, multi-ethnicity, femininity, identity and spirituality while exhibiting raw emotion and attachment to their poems. Indeed, they enchanted the attentive audience with voices that soared through the cool night air like birds in flight.

“Both poets are stars in their own right – they sustained the attention of the audience right from the beginning to the end. Not only through mesmerizing poems but also effective communication with each other and the audience as a whole”, said Yaw Addo, a musician in Accra.

Through an interactive performance, the poets enabled the audience to deepen, illuminate and form a clear understanding of their work while illustrating the fact that poetry encourages an engagement with thoughts, truths, challenges, fears – and above all joys.

Fans gathered at the performance dubbed Goethe-Abansoro, which has become a poetry hub in Accra, engaged the poets in a discussion on issues relating to poetry in Ghana, their work in general and the opportunities available for young poets.

“It was a great idea to include a question and answer segment to the programme – undeniably, it enabled the audience to fully understand and appreciate the poems of these brilliant ladies”, added Adjoa Ansah, a teacher in Accra.

An academic, writer, actress and director, Benuma’s works reflect her origins and tends to promote multi-ethnicity instead of other nomenclatures such as “mixed” or “bi-racial” while encouraging her audience to look at issues with a different point of view. 

With Ghanaian / Liberian heritage, Dzaydzorm is well known for her intense and captivating presence that has charmed varied audiences on stage with poetry that encapsulates her growth and life experiences in diverse areas.    

Goethe-Abansoro is a monthly poetry session, which is organized, presented and sponsored by the Goethe-Institut.

By John Owoo

(In Accra – Ghana)

Gazing through its transparent glass doors, I harbor diverse visualizations as to what is in store from Ghanaian artist Elizabeth Efua Sutherland at Gallery 1957, a premium art space located within the premises of the plush Kempinski hotel in Accra.

I am immediately confronted with twelve head sculptures encased in glass with grass spurting out of the lips of some of them. They appear similar yet they are completely distinct in their own right as I take a critical look.

An overwhelming feeling of pleasure engulfs me as I walk around a maze of white heads encircled by plants, which Sutherland had installed in the rather spacious and well-lighted gallery. 

While feasting my eyes I remember why I am here – and I quickly notice the evocative qualities of material, form and weight of these sculptures that translate into potent sculptures. Undeniably, these images will definitely remain in the minds of viewers for a long time.

Titled “Aya”, the exhibition honours the rites of reflection, endurance and meditation while recalling the skills of ancient Akan female potters, who in ancient times cast terra cotta heads in commemoration of the dead.

Sutherland employs layers of white clay, plaster, white cement and red earth alongside a curious blend of deploying industrial and natural material in the alchemical process of casting. Although, they are largely from the same mould, each of the heads possess a discrete identity, which she achieves by cracking, carving, traumatizing and other forms of manipulation.

With a rather progressive, courageous and radical approach, the artist revisits the relationship between earth, humanity and heritage while exploring how the environment could spiritually and physically shape identity and legacy.

Sutherland has a BA Theatre with a minor in Education Studies from DePauw University (USA) and an MA in Contemporary Performance Making from Brunel University (UK). She works across theatre and performance art and is currently concerned with interactivity, video, sculpture and texture in making performance / performative objects.

The exhibition ends on Saturday February 15, 2020.

By John Owoo

(In Accra – Ghana)

Leaves on trees shifted listlessly from the rather warm winds on Saturday evening as a capacity crowd at the Alliance Française waited intently for Malian music couple Amadou and Mariam to appear on stage.

The crowd, which included several Malians resident in Accra, applauded and cheered as the pair, whose CD “Welcome to Mali” was once nominated for a Grammy Award, were ushered onto the stage by their guides.

The visually impaired couple immediately went into their own world as Amadou’s unique and robust guitar lines alongside Mariam’s expressive voice filled the air, while a burly percussionist enhanced sounds emanating from the stage with wild rhythms from a variety of drums.

“Seeing Amadou and Mariam perform live in Accra was a blessing. Performing for such a huge crowd they cannot see but definitely feel is worthy of note.  It demonstrates once again that African music is alive and carries a message of freedom and emancipation”, said Federico Masetti, Italian Founder / CEO of MusicXchange.

“They are absolutely pleasurable – indeed, they shared a lot of jokes and anecdotes about Mali as they entertained the huge crowd. In the process, the audience simply fell in love with them”, added Jacques Monteau, a teacher in Paris, France.

With both musicians being powerful songwriters, their sympathetic and stimulating lyrics caught the attention of French speaking members of the audience, who reacted with cheers and catcalls while jumping to the dance floor to showcase their skills.

A cool blend of Bambara rhythms alongside inflections of R & B alongside world music sent the audience on a journey into the past that traced the career of Amadou and Mariam and their various collaborations with diverse musicians in Africa and beyond. 

In 1998, the couple released their first album “Sou Ni Tile” and continued with a series of releases that highlighted their early work (both together and solo) before coming out with another album titled “Wati”.  

In 2003, world music luminary Manu Chao began to work with the couple and in 2004 Amadou and Mariam emerged from the studio with what was to be their landmark album, “Dimanche à Bamako”. The success of the album led to tours, awards and accolades from several countries in Europe and Africa.

By John Owoo

(In Accra – Ghana)

A group comprising classical musicians from Germany, France and Ghana on Wednesday delighted a capacity audience with diverse compositions as part of events marking the 2020 celebration of the Elysée Treaty.

Performing at the Goethe-Institut in Accra, they severally and jointly treated the crowd to diverse arrangements inlcuding “Trio in A Minor Opus 61 No. 3” (François Devienne), “Serenade” (Franz Schubert) and “Meditation from Thaïs” (Jules Massenet).

Others are “Am Brunnen vor dem Tore” (Franz Schubert), “Sonata e Minor Opus 38” (Johannes Brahms), “Toreador Song” (Goerge Bizet), “Le Cygne” (Camille Saint-Saëns) and “Trio Opus 100” (Franz Schubert).

With Hannah Blattner (flute), Mieke Karpenkiel (clarinet), Kennedy Dankwa (vocals), Monia Schmid (cello), Luise Sandberger (vocals), Thea Sollwede (piano), Comisa May (violin) and Edwin Ferguson (piano), the group showcased attractive rhythmic patterns and lovely tunes that flowed in a continuous stream.  

Indeed, the instrumentalists played with robust energy yet in an amazingly relaxed manner despite a few days of rehearsals. No wonder they received applause from the audience, which included the German Ambassador to Ghana Christoph Retzlaff and his French counterpart Anne Sophie Avé.

Undeniably, vocalists Dankwa and Sandberger were the toast of the evening as their voices soared through the air with vitality while integrating with the instrumentalists in a cool balance. In the process, they delivered the act they have so gracefully mastered with vital clarity.

France and the Federal Republic of Germany signed the Elysée Treaty on 22nd January 1963. Following several decades of rivalries and conflicts, both countries sent a message of reconciliation and laid the groundwork for close bilateral cooperation to support European integration.

It is the result of two men – former West German Federal Chancellor Konrad Adenauer and French President Charles de Gualle – who opposed the Nazi regime and offered friendship to enemies of the past. With this treaty, they decided to establish a new relationship to seal a lasting friendship.