Lagos Biennial calls for ’21 and ’23 entries

THE Akete Art Foundation has announced that a combined staging of the 3rd and 4th editions of its prime programme, the  Lagos Biennial will hold in November 2021 and November 2023.

According to a public statement released today, the Foundation says, “Due to the current global pandemic and travel constraints, this iteration of the biennial has been split over two editions with the 2021 edition beginning the process and conceptualization of what will be a series of large-scale exhibitions in 2023.”

Founded and led by youthful Folakunle Oshun, the Lagos Biennial has, since its birth, become a major platform through which eminent members of the international art circles have been coming to Nigeria. It has also helped to showcase works of local artists to the globe.

The deadline for entries has been set at: 30th April 2021

The statement also announced that the Jury for the editions would be: N’Goné Fall, Kathryn Weir, and Kunle Adeyemi.

“Themed “Refuge”, the 2021 edition of the Lagos Biennial will be captured in a Three Edition publication which will also catalog the last two editions of the biennial,” said the statement.

“Remote exhibitions and manifestations will be curated in the home countries of participating artists showing processes and concept development for larger productions to be exhibited in 2023 in Lagos.

“These exhibitions and manifestations may hold in public or private spaces. Online talk sessions, screenings, and walkthroughs will all be accessible on Lagos Biennial online portals in November 2021.”

It continued, “The 2023 iteration will take place at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos. Curators, artists, designers, architects, and collectives are invited to submit proposals to participate. Applications will be reviewed by an international Jury of leading professionals working in contemporary art, design, and architecture.

The Foundation also announced that the venue will be the sprawling Tafawa Balewa Square, known over the years as the venue for Nigeria’s yearly Independence celebration and other such national events, but which have been partially abandoned since the seat of the federal government moved to the federal capital in Abuja. The choice of the venue is in the tradition of the Biennial to draw attention to abandoned or neglected national spaces, in an effort to remind the nation of its wasting treasures.

Its first edition in 2017 had held at the sprawling but (then) decrepit Nigeria Railway yard in Ebute Metta. The second edition in 2019 on the theme, “How to Build a Lagoon with Just a Bottle of Wine?” held at the imposing but abandoned Independence Building in the King George V area of Lagos Island.

On the next venue, Foundation’s release stated:

“Named after Nigeria’s first Prime Minister, Tafawa Balewa Square is situated in the heart of Lagos island. It is surrounded by impressive buildings and memorial sites, and is in constant use for a variety of celebrations and official functions. Originally called “Race Course”, the 14.5-hectare space was covered with concrete and remodelled in 1972 to accommodate state events.

The square has an imposing entrance gate with four giant white horses and seven red eagles suspended above the gateway. Surrounding the square are important buildings including the 26-storied Independence House, which at one point in time, was the tallest building in Nigeria. To its West is The Remembrance Arcade, which commemorates soldiers who fought in WWI, WWII and the country’s civil war. Tafawa Balewa Square is also home to the former Nigerian National Assembly building. At a short distance is the National Museum which holds a collection of ancient Nigerian artefacts.

• For more information on the application and production grants, visit www.lagos-biennial.org