DIPTIQUE
Once you begin to scratch the surface of African masquerade visuals, you're met with an explosion of natural influence, comical appearance and otherworldy figures. Another Africa and K.L.V. have collaborated on a series of diptychs that compare this intensely rich source of inspiration with the realms of the arts and fashion. Artists such as Damien Hirst and Nick Cave are cast against the disguised creations of Mali and Liberia to highlight the qualities which connect the two. On the other end of the spectrum we have the masquerade images which are compared with natural forms, in particular insects, which proves once more the prominence of nature in visual aesthetics.
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Photo courtesy of Eliot, Elisofon and The National Museum of African Art, Washington, D.C.
Minganji masqueraders from the Pende peoples circa near Gungu, Democratic Republic of Congo, 1970.
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Left
Photo courtesy of Eliot, Elisofon and The National Museum of African Art, Washington, D.C.
Dyomo masqueraders during the Dama ceremony circa Sanga, Mali, 1970.
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Damien Hirst, Flumequine, 2007. Courtesy of the artist.
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Photo courtesy of Eliot, Elisofon and The National Museum of African Art, Washington, D.C.
Masked performer with Ntomo mask, Bamako, Mali, 1971.
RightUnknown
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Photo courtesy of Léon de photographer Sousberghe. and The National Museum of African Art, Washington, D.C.
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Masquerae at Ngashi of the Pende people circa Gungu, Democratic Republic of Congo, 1970.
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Photo courtesy of Eliot, Elisofon and The National Museum of African Art, Washington, D.C.
Masked performer wearing Chi wara headdresses circa Bougouni, Mali, 1970.
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Keith Haring, circa uknown.
Photo courtesy of Eliot, Elisofon and The National Museum of African Art, Washington, D.C.
Pair of masked dancers during a Gelede performance of the Yoruba people circa Meko, Nigeria, 1971.
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Photo courtesy of Simon Ottenberg and The National Museum of African Art, Washington, D.C.
Player wearing a female Ibibio mask at the Okumkpa performanceof the Igbo people circa Mgbom village, Afikpo area, Nigeria, 1959-1960.
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(Benin) The sacred python, grasping its tail in its mouth, signifies continuity and the eternal return. Image source: unknown.
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The Beri - The men's devil of Western Liberia (The Bundu of Sierra Leone), circa 1906
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Source: NYPL Digital Gallery
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Nick Cave, Soundsuit 2011. Courtesy of the artist and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York.
Photo courtesy of Simon Ottenberg and The National Museum of African Art, Washington, D.C.
Logholo masquerader in its variant form known as Okwo in the Njenji parade of the Igbo people circa Ukpa village, Afikpo area, Nigeria, 1959-1960.
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Athi-Patra Ruga, the naivety of Beiruth 3, 2008. Courtesy of the artist and Stevenson Gallery, Johannesburg.
Photo courtesy of Eliot, Elisofon and The National Museum of African Art, Washington, D.C.
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Minganji masqueraders from the Pende peoples circa near Gungu, Democratic Republic of Congo, 1970.
Right
Left
Photo courtesy of Simon Ottenberg and The National Museum of African Art, Washington, D.C.
Initiated boys dressed up in the Hihi Masquerade of the Igbo people circa Mgbom village, Afikpo area, Nigeria, 1959-1960.
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Nick Cave, Square Wire Scarf. Courtesy of the artist and soundsuitshop.com
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Pair of Chi wara dancers, Mali. Image courtesy of Dr. Pascal James Imperto, 1970.
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Poul Beckman, Living Jewels - The Natural Design of Beetles, 2001
ANOTHER AFRICA
Another Africa is an online platform and magazine that showcases contemporary Africana through arts, culture, design, fashion, music , literature and film. Another Africa as its namesake, proclaims that another dimension to Africa exists.
ANOTHER AFRICA
Another Africa is an online platform and magazine that showcases contemporary Africana through arts, culture, design, fashion, music , literature and film. Another Africa as its namesake, proclaims that another dimension to Africa exists.
