organized by: Rabi Taabara Yansané
Once overlooked and shrouded in the shadows, African know-how is now a growing niche amongst both the international and French audiences, valued by many French “maisons d'art”, manufactures, designers and opinion leaders. And they no longer refrain from calling on artists and artisans from Africa or the diaspora. In fact, they even claim so! From bronze craft furniture from Burkina Faso to textile artwork from Senegal, from traditional artisanship to cutting-edge contemporary - even avant-garde - design, it's not (any more!) uncommon to blend French arts and crafts with “made of Africa” in an effort to achieve innovation and authenticity, while summoning up roots and even sometimes history.
The result of these collaborations are part of private and institutional collections, such as the Mobilier National; they embody the universal power of the Beautiful, and raise the question: to what extent does the African hand permeate French craftsmanship and artistic work? Rabi Taabara Yansané, founder of Bureau Rabi Taabara and director of Beau et Métiers d'art projects, will host this round table discussion with Omar Victor Diop, photographer and visual artist, Frédéric Bernardaud, creative director of Bernardaud, Hall Haus, design studio. They will tell us about their collaborations and innovative projects, particularly between France and Senegal.
Omar Victor Diop, Photographer and visual artist
Fréderic Bernardaud, Creative Director, Bernardaud
Studio Hall Haus, design agency
