ART-PRESENTATION: Stop Ma Pa Ta
The exhibition’s title “Stop Ma Pa Ta (My Raw Material is Not Your Material)” is the title of a work by Benjamin Déguénon ironically representing the way in which large western, Russian or Chinese industrial firms are exploiting African mining resources, in utter contempt of the needs of local populations.
By Efi Michalarou
Photo: Villa Arson Archive
The exhibition “Stop Ma Pa Ta (My Raw Material is Not Your Material)” is collaboration between the Villa Arson (France) and the Arts and Culture Lobozounkpa in Cotonou and presents 14 artists from Benin. “Stop Ma Pa Ta (My Raw Material is Not Your Material) “ is the title of a work by Benjamin Déguénon ironically representing the way in which large western, Russian or Chinese industrial firms are exploiting African mining resources, in utter contempt of the needs of local populations. The exhibition highlights the emergence of an artistic production revealing not only their roots and their culture but also their strong desire to question the present time and the closest political and anthropological events. The majority of artists featured in the exhibition live in Benin and have been developing art forms influenced both by traditional and by contemporary techniques, adapting all the while to economic constraints and retaining a sharp awareness of the materials that they use. Featuring works by: Richard Korblah, Edwige Aplogan, Aston, Benjamin Déguénon, Daavo, Kifouli Dossou, Euloge Glèlè, Prince Toffa, Charles Placide, Psycoffi, Gérard Quenum, Julien Vignikin, Didier Viodé and Dominique Zinkpé.
Info: Curators: André Jolly and Eric Mangion, Villa Arson, 20 Avenue Stephen Liégeard, Nice, Duration: 4/6-17/9/17, Days & Hours: Wed-Mon 14:00-18:00, www.villa-arson.org
