Africa is the Cradle of Cultural Modernity

If you are a lover of contemporary art, come and listen to Jean-Marc Patras during the 7th EMA Invest. He has been virtually bathing in contemporary African art for nearly twenty years and has one of the most interesting and insightful outlooks on Africa : “For a long time, people saw African artists like big children. Yet, in music, dance or art, African art is extremely contemporary. It is even the cradle of our modernity. Fifteen years ago, you could barely count collectors on one hand. Today, the Russians, the Chinese and, more cautiously, Westerners are interested in this cultural flourishing. And what is even more encouraging is the emergence of real African collectors who see themselves in the contemporary art of their country and are lending their support. In 2006, it became apparent that the same the artistic fervour that one could find in the USA of 120 years ago (such as Getty) is alive and vibrant in Africa: the affirmation of a culture and burgeoning sense of power. Here, we presume that the Chinese are only interested Africa’s minerals and raw materials but we’re wrong. The Chinese have a profound respect for African creativity and I would venture to say they’re even fascinated by Africa’s cultural depth!”
Friday, 17thNovember at 2:30 pm, at the Centre International des Conférences de Genève. Free admission.