The Lagos Biennial has announced an impressive roster of participants for its highly anticipated fourth edition, centred around the theme of REFUGE. The event is scheduled to captivate audiences from February 3 to February 10, 2024, at the historic Tafawa Balewa Square in the heart of Lagos.
Showcasing the creative expressions of over 80 artists hailing from more than 30 countries, the Biennial promises an immersive experience through curated sections such as Gregarious Architectures, CAPTCHA, and Worldmade Communities. The inclusion of autonomous collaborative platforms known as the REFUGE teams adds a dynamic layer to this year’s showcase.
Notably, the Tafawa Balewa Square, steeped in historical significance as a former racecourse during the colonial era, will serve as the poignant backdrop for reflections on political allegiance, territory, sovereignty and notions of belonging. The site’s evolution from a leisure space to a host of significant political, cultural, and commercial events adds a unique dimension to the Biennial’s exploration of diverse themes.
Breaking away from conventional exhibition norms, the fourth edition marks a shift towards experimental and generative models, emphasising prototypes that activate possibilities in the world. The Biennial aims to transcend the traditional concept of art as an end in itself, embracing a more dynamic approach to engage audiences.
The anticipation builds as the Lagos Biennial 2024 Press Preview kicks off on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at 12 pm, followed by the official public opening at 2 pm. The prestigious event will witness an Official Welcome at 3 pm, featuring key figures such as N’Goné Fall (Lagos Biennial Board), Folakunle Oshun (Lagos Biennial Director) and Kathryn Weir (Lagos Biennial Co-Artistic Director).
A diverse array of performances, talks and discussions are set to unfold throughout the week, offering visitors a rich and thought-provoking experience. The program details can be explored further on the official Lagos Biennial website at https://lagos-biennial.org.
Artistic Directors Kathryn Weir and Folakunle Oshun have curated a lineup that includes renowned names such as Maria Thereza Alves, Jimmie Durham and Ibrahim Mahama, among others. The participants span various sections, contributing to the overall tapestry of artistic exploration and cultural dialogue.
The Lagos Biennial 2024 promises to be a convergence of creativity, critical discourse and cultural exchange, inviting audiences to immerse themselves in the vibrant tapestry of global artistic expression. The event holds the potential to redefine the boundaries of contemporary art and inspire conversations on refuge, alliance, and the myriad facets of human experience.
List of Participants
Noor Abed (Gregarious Architectures)
Rabeeha Adnan (CAPTCHA)
ALIENS IN ERITREA
Gzoly Vishnu Balunsat
Rezene Tsegai
Shushan Tesfuzigta
Nahom Abraham Wael
Sephora Woldu (curator)
Maria Thereza Alves (Gregarious Architectures)
Iván Argote (Gregarious Architectures)
Leo Asemota (Gregarious Architectures)
A THOUSAND TALES
Cindy Sissokho
Mónica de Miranda
XEXA
Deniz Bedir (Gregarious Architectures)
Darlene Blackburn (Worldmade Communities)
Stéphanie Brossard (Gregarious Architectures)
Huey Copeland (Worldmade Communities)
Romi Crawford & The New Art School Modality (Worldmade Communities)
DATA CENTERED COLLECTIVE
Temitayo Ogunbiyi (curator)
Lisa Ann Parks
Laila Shereen Sakr
Miha Vipotnik
Samuel R. Delany (Gregarious Architectures)
Ezekiel Dixon-Román (Worldmade Communities)
Navine G. Dossos (CAPTCHA)
Jimmie Durham (Gregarious Architectures)
Victor Ehikhamenor (Gregarious Architectures)
Chinenye Emelogu (Gregarious Architectures)
Nina Emge (Gregarious Architectures)
Em’kal Eyongakpa (Gregarious Architectures)
AIRI : BONE ALTAR
Olaniyi Studio
Yussef Agbo-Ola
Jermay Michael Gabriel & Justin Randoph Thompson (Worldmade Communities)
Kendell Geers (Gregarious Architectures)
HANGING IMAGINARIES
Feda Wardak
Chioke I’Anson (Worldmade Communities)
Onyeka Igwe (Gregarious Architectures)
Hiwa K (Gregarious Architectures)
Sam Keogh (CAPTCHA)
Kiluanji Kia Henda & Paulo Moreira (Gregarious Architectures)
François Knoetze (CAPTCHA)
Ibrahim Mahama (Gregarious Architectures)
Bettina Malcomess (Gregarious Architectures)
Native Maqari & Zineb Boujema (Gregarious Architectures)
Demas Nwoko (Gregarious Architectures)
Emeka Ogboh (Gregarious Architectures)
Henrique Oliveira (Gregarious Architectures)
Bruce Onobrakpaeya (Gregarious Architectures)
Mimi Ọnụọha (CAPTCHA)
Odun Orimolade (Gregarious Architectures)
OUTSIDERS
Martinka Bobrikova
Oscar de Carmen
María Alejandra Gatti (curator)
Anto Lloveras
Giulia Piscitelli (CAPTCHA)
Arlette Quỳnh-Anh Trần (Gregarious Architectures)
Tabita Rezaire (Gregarious Architectures)
Yasmin Smith (Gregarious Architectures)
Dima Srouji (Gregarious Architectures)
THE ALBANIAN CONFERENCE
Anna Ehrenstein
Vidisha-Fadescha
Shaunak Mahbubani (curator)
Blair Opara and Clinton Opara (DNA)
Rebecca Pokua Korang
TRACES OF ECSTASY
KJ Abudu (curator)
Evan Ifekoya
Nolan Oswald Dennis
Raymond Pinto
Temitayo Shonibare
Adeju Thompson
Sarah Rifky ( Co- Curator of Worldmade Communities and CAPTCHA)
Valentina Vetturi (CAPTCHA)
Tricky Walsh (CAPTCHA)
Dana Whabira (Gregarious Architectures)
XTRÆNCESTRAL
Kukily Afrofeminist Arts Collective (curator)
Julia Cohen Ribeiro
Florencia Victoria Gomes
Lina Lasso
Colleen Ndemeh Fitzgerald
Jasmin Sánchez
