Testing Kenyan secondary art market

In the next few days, specifically on November 5, 3013 the secondary art market of East Africa goes to test as debutant, Nairobi-based Circle Art Agency takes a shot at art auction.
 

Simon Mpata (Tanzanian, 1942–1984)
Untitled, circa 1981–3 signed ‘S. G. MPATA’ (middle right)  enamel on board 60 x 60cm Ksh 120,000–170,000
US$ 1,360–1,930

Scheduled to hold at the new Villa Rosa Kempinski Hotel in Nairobi, the auction could set the tone for what would be the East African country’s answer to Nigeria’s fledging art auctions. In the past five years, art auctions organised by Lagos-based ArtHouse Contemporary and Terra Kulture auction houses have increased art collection value in the country as well as resonated same in Europe and the U.S.

For Circle Art Agency that started art exhibitions in Kenya last year, it’s a test worth taking: "It's been an emotional journey visiting artists and art collectors at their homes or studios and selecting works that represent both the older and newer generations. We have encouraged the secondary market to participate, art collectors who have invested in Kenyan and East African art and we hope the auction will be evidence of the fact that art is a good personal and financial investment."

Mali’s endangered heritage gets $307,307 UNESCO support

Yesterday, a United Nations committee approved an emergency fund of $307,307, covering a two-year project to assist Mali in evaluaing the state of the country’s  intangible heritage.

According to a report posted on UN News Centre, the evaluation will take off  “with the northern regions that suffered the most from recent armed conflict and occupation”.

Sankore Mosque, Timbuktu, Mali. Photo: UNESCO/F. Bandarin

The report says the assistance was a decision reached by UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO)  Bureau of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Heritage.

“The project will evaluate the state of intangible heritage – knowledge and practices related to nature, oral traditions, songs, rituals, festivals and traditional crafts – throughout the West African nation.
“During the first year, the project will cover the three northern regions of Gao, Kidal and Timbuktu, along with Mopti in the east-central region. Northern Mali was occupied by radical Islamists after fighting broke out in January 2012 between Government forces and Tuareg rebels. 

“The conflict uprooted hundreds of thousands of people and prompted the Malian Government to request assistance from France to stop the military advance of extremist groups. Evaluations will be carried out in the rest of the country during the second year. 

“The project also includes workshops to strengthen capacities in inventory techniques and intangible heritage management methods that will benefit 190 people. In addition, two plays will be produced, along with a documentary film and a radio programme, to raise public awareness about intangible cultural heritage.

New terracotta sculptures from Nigeria go on display in Germany

German researchers, Peter Breunig and Nicole Rupp of Institute for African Archaeology and Archaeo-botany of the Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main during the excavation in Nigeria last year.

 After excavated in Nigeria by German archaeologists in collaboration with the museum authority in the Africa country, National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM0, a set of new Nok terracotta sculptures go on display in German. 

The exhibition, which is being organised by Frankfurt University and Liebieghaus Skulpturensammlung opens from today ending February 23, 2014.