Credit: Enrico Joaquin Lapuz, Dakar, Senegal (2025)
Archives Beyond the Institutional: Discovery and Critical Possibilities
Organised for the Africa-Asia 3 Conference-Festival in Dakar, Senegal, Archives Beyond the Institutional: Discovery and Critical Possibilities brought a diverse group of voices to explore archives as sites of discovery and possibility in artistic practice, architectural history, exhibition-making and teaching and research in the humanities.
Abstract:
The discussion centred on how archival materials—ranging from textiles to architectural blueprints—inform and influence contemporary creative work.
Emily Shin-Jie Lee from the Framer Framed art collective in Amsterdam reflected on the institution’s exploration of archives, including the exhibition Past Disquiet, which engaged with political history through archival materials.
Architect and researcher Carole Diop discussed the architectural archives that informed her book Dakar, Métamorphoses d’une capital ("Dakar, Metamorphosis of A Capital"), exploring the transformation of Dakar through both visual and historical lenses.
Aissa Dione is the founder of Galerie Atiss, which opened in Dakar in 1996. The Gallery has gained a reputation for spotting and incubating raw artistic talent from West Africa, often presenting such artists for the first time to an international audience and exhibiting at every Dakar Biennale of Contemporary African Art since its inception. On the occasion of the 15th edition of the Dak’Art Biennial (November 7 – December 7, 2024), Galerie Atiss showcased the knowledge archive (‘Wax Print’ design samples) of Domitexka Saloum (SOTIBA), whose Production Manager Aby Seck also joined the conversation.
Aarti Kawlra and Jody Benjamin discussed the role of textile archives in their research, focusing on the materiality of archives like fabric sample books and their connection to cultural histories, shown through their recent publication alongside Galerie Atiss for the 100th issue of the IIAS Newsletter.
Participants:
- Emily Shin-Jie Lee, Framer Framed, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Carole Diop, Afrikadaa, Dakar, Senegal
- Aarti Kawlra, Humanities Across Borders (HAB), International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS), Netherlands
- Jody Benjamin, Howard University, Washington D.C., USA
- Aissa Dione, Galerie Atiss, Dakar, Senegal
- Aby Seck, Domitexka Saloum (SOTIBA), Dakar, Senegal
Archives Beyond The Institutional Roundtable Image Gallery
Roundtable audience members listening to the discussion at Galerie Atiss. The speakers are laid out in a semi-circle, with a wax print textile book between both parties.
Credit: Enrico Joaquin Lapuz, Dakar, Senegal (2025)
Carole Diop discussed the architectural history of Dakar in the roundtable. She also brought her book for participants to read and conducted city walking tours as part of the AA3 festivities.
Credit: Enrico Joaquin Lapuz, Dakar, Senegal (2025)
A wax print sample book on display at Galerie Atiss. Samples differed depending on their intended market of Africa or Asia, with Asian-focused designs like this incorporating flora and fauna such as the rooster in their patterns, taken from cultural traditions such as in China.
Credit: Enrico Joaquin Lapuz, Dakar, Senegal (2025)
Roundtable participants in discussion.
Credit: Enrico Joaquin Lapuz, Dakar, Senegal (2025)
Galerie Atiss
Rue 23, Medina x Boulevard Martin Luther King
11290 Dakar
Senegal
Email:
[email protected]