AFRICA DIVERSIDADE COMUN

NOT A MUSEUM is an independent cultural project/space that, in the context of the parallel programme of the Arco Lisboa Art Fair 2019, is presenting two exhibitions: “AFRICA – COMMON DIVERSITY” – an exhibition curated by Manuel Dias dos Santos, with works by artists from Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, Mozambique and São Tomé and Príncipe; and “INVISIBLE BORDERS” – a solo exhibition by Francisco Vidal, curated by Namalimba Coelho. Inaugurated on 16 May, these two visual art exhibitions can be visited until 25 May – Africa Day – between 2pm and 6.30pm at the Palais Castilho, Rua Castilho, n3, in Lisbon.

To establish a dialogue between artists of the same cultural and geographical space, represents a challenge in itself, hence we propose a double challenge based on a space mainly of Bantu people where Portuguese is also spoken as official language with all “contaminations “Which underlies the migratory movements, social, political, economic and cultural dynamics, together with the transformations and constructions of the tradition that lead to the existence of an African contemporary thought expressed and produced in its many and multiple linguistic dimensions. But which in the world are effected in Western languages, but in a clear rupture with the hierarchical idea of superior versus inferior culture, which is still present and “dominant” perception of the Western world vis-a-vis the “other” equal and different when in the use of techniques, methods, theories, praxis, and sciences, but mostly appropriated in a Western, Westernizing, and Westernized perspective. The contemporary art produced by artists from these countries as expected is an emanation of the extraordinary and unique changes that the African continent is experiencing.

Curated by Manuel Dias Dos Santos.