SNA: nternational Convention on Art and Development, Lagos // Next: Independence Exhibition, Abuja

I’m currently such a recluse, its embarrassing! So, a million thanks to Alliance Francaise, Lagos, (via Facebook) for stealing my attention for a moment and reminding me of all the art events on the occasion of Nigerian independence. Particularly interesting sounds, of course, the International Convention on Art and Development organised by the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA)! Which I could go!!! So if you’re happen to be in Lagos this weekend, make your way to the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Lagos! Here’s the press release:

CONADEV 2010 Press release

THE 1ST INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON ART AND DEVELOPMENT (CONADEV) 2010

The Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA) in collaboration with The Nigerian Institute of International Affairs is organizing the 1st International Convention on Art and Development (CONADEV) 2010 themed Engaging Art as a Tool for Sustainable Development from September 20 - 26, 2010.

The convention will feature a conference and art exhibition. It aims to explore the role of the arts in causing desirable changes in the society. The convention will serve as a major forum to bring together artists, academic researchers in visual arts, literature, music and performing arts.

CONADEV aims to arrive at a concrete set of resolutions which can be developed into a policy document about the relevance of the arts to societal development. The convention will help to create an intellectual framework for arts and arts practices. It will also provide a forum to encourage interdisciplinary dialogue through critical engagement, examination and experimentation of ideas.
The convention will commence on Monday 20 at 9:00am and will include a conference and exhibition. The conference will hold for 2 days and will explore the theme; ‘Art, Creativity and Aesthetics as a Means to Cultural Cross-Currentism’. Sub-themes will include:

· Art, the Public and Aesthetic Pleasure

· Theories and Criticism

· Linkages and Historiography

· Art Design and Technology

· Art Pedagogy and the Web

· Cross-Currentism in Modern Trends

· Art Reproduction and Copyright

· Art and Tourism

The conference will examine the function of visual art as not only a purveyor of aesthetic pleasure and a creative means of livelihood, but also a vehicle for cross-cultural exchange and societal development. Speakers at the conference will include leading contributors in all areas of the arts - artists, curators, writers, theorists and policymakers. There will also be cultural performances and a book fair organized by Farafina and Artworld Limited.

The exhibition will feature artworks of emerging and established Nigerian artists including; Dr Bruce Onobrakpeya , Kolade Oshinowo , Josy Ajiboye , Oliver Enwonwu, Kolawole Olojo-Kosoko, Dotun Alabi, Aimufia Osagie, Bunmi Lasaki, Imoesi Imhonigie and Dan Ifon. International artists from Togo and Ghana include Midahuen Yves Magloire Ludovic, Ayeva Medjeva Nourridine, Kofi Dawson and Ahmed Tijani.

The schedule for the event is as follows:

Conference

Opening: Monday 20th of September, 2010, Conference runs till Tuesday 21st September, 2010 from 09:00am daily

Venue: Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos

Panel Chairs: Dr Bruce Onobrakpeya MFR, Prof Ola Oloidi, Prof Sheriff Adetoro, Dr John Ogene, Dr Funke Ifeta, Dr Jerry Buhari and Prof Jacob Jari.

Rapporteurs: Mr Chuka Nnabuife, Dr Helen Uhunmwagho, Mr Mike Omoighe, Mr Simon Ikpakronyi, Dr Anslem Nyah, Dr Nelson Edewor, Dr Ademola Azeez, Dr Tony Okonofua, Dr Ken Ikoli and Dr Sweet Ebeigbe.

Art Exhibition

Preview: 4:00pm on Sunday 19th of September, 2010

Opening: 4:00pm on Monday 20th of September, 2010

Exhibition runs till Sunday 26th of September, 2010 from 10:00am to 6:00pm daily

Venue: Harmattan Workshop Gallery, 10, Elsie Femi Pearse Street, off Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island Lagos

The convention is proudly supported by The Ben Enwonwu Foundation (BEF), Revilo, Interior Designers Association of Nigeria (IDAN), Victoria Crown Plaza Hotel, The Art Exchange, Southern Sun, Essential Interiors, Sachs Gallery, Bruce Onobrakpeya Foundation (BOF), Bishops Cottage, Hallmark Suites, Bjay’s Hotel, Westfoster Harbour, La Cour, Sofitel Accor Hotel & Resorts, Arra Vineyards and Alliance Francaise.

Note to Journalists: For more information, please contact Oliver Enwonwu at oliver at snanational.org or call +234(0)8033129276.

Also, here is the link to the article by the Compass’ Emmanuel Agonzino that came into my inbox today. Also, two days ago, Next’s Olushola Ojikutu published a brief article about the Independence Exhibition in Abuja.

…

Based on the concept of creating a historical narrative about the achievements, challenges and aspiration of Nigeria; the focus of the exhibition will be to tell the story of Nigeria’s cultural freedom through physical and virtual formats. Among the major highlights of the exhibition will be the bronze sculpture of Queen Elizabeth II of England, produced in the 1950s by the renowned Nigerian artist, Late Ben Enwonwu. Classic traditional works of Nok, Igbo Ukwu, Ife and Benin cultures will also be exhibited.

It will also feature electronic productions, Traditional Nigerian Art, Contemporary Nigerian Art, Science &Technology, Historical materials, Made-in-Nigeria products and documentaries on Military matters. Art entries were drawn from governmental, private and educational institutions, and will demonstrate the vibrant and dynamic cultural development of our nation.

…

‘Journey of our Independence: Mega Exhibition for Nigeria @ 50’ is open to the public at the Velodrome, National Stadium, Abuja, until October 31.

El Komo’s comment on the website took me a bit aback because to me Enwonwu’s bust of the Queen Elizabeth II always symbolically stood for his international recognition at the time. But obviously this is only one possible perspective:

Posted by El Komo on Sep 16 2010

A sculpture of our colonial masters to celebrate our Independence is rather distasteful.

How do other Nigerian’s feel about this particular piece in the Independence Exhibition?

Anyway, this much I stumbled across in the papers, now let’s get back to the final final changes on this thesis. Two weeks from today I will have to have submitted. Scary. Exciting. Oh, how I wish I had the money to reward myself with a trip to Nigeria to see the exhibition in Abuja and maybe sneak into the SNA convention!!!