Who’s curating who? Cosmogonies

There is more diversity in African art than what is currently shown in Europe. The collection of Marie-Cécile Zinsou exhibited in the COBRA museum, Cosmogony, was born out of the desire to make people outside of Africa more aware of the vibrant contemporary art scene that is present throughout the African continent. Hoping to make a substantial contribution to broadening and diversifying the range of art on offer in Dutch museums.

Dominance of the Eurocentric view is tangible. What does that say about how we appreciate African art? And how do we ensure greater representation worldwide? Who decides which African art is shown or not shown?

In De Balie we will further discuss the content of art, the Eurocentric view and cosmogony.

Kosmogonie – COBRA Museum

This exhibition offers a selection of works from the collection of the Zinsou family. At its founding, Marie Cécile Zinsou chose in 2005 to establish a venue casting light on contemporary art in Contonou, in one of her two countries of origin: Benin. Her aim was to share the creativity of the African continent with a wide audience.

Home to over 1000 works, this collection is regularly presented at the Ouidah Museum-opened in 2014 by the Fondation Zinsou, but also in various exhibitions throughout the world. This october starts the exhibition in Cobra Museum.

Cosmogonies present more than 130 works (sculptures, photographs, paintings, and installations) of 37 artists of different generations- some already art standards, such as Frédéric Bruly Bouabré, Cyprien Tokoudagba, Malick Sidibé or Chéri Samba, others present in the most important of contemporary art events, such as Joël Andrianomearisoa, Sammy Baloji or Zanele Muholi, and lastly emerging artists, such as Ishola Akpo or Aïcha Snoussi.