Dakar, Senegal – November 9 – 10, 2024
SMO at The Orientation Towards New Museums Symposium
Dakar, Senegal – November 10, 2024
When was the last time you unexpectedly encountered a museum experience? This thought-provoking question was raised by the late Martinican poet and intellectual Edouard Glissant in 2011, as he urged a global reevaluation of museums, encouraging us to rethink our understanding of beauty and the evolving role of these institutions.
This call to action resonated throughout the recent two-day symposium, The Orientation Towards New Museums, held in Dakar, Senegal on November 9-10, 2024. The event coincided with the opening of the 15th Dak’Art Biennale and brought together an international group of artists, academics, curators, and museum experts. NYU Abu Dhabi and the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Project played a pivotal role in hosting the symposium, sparking an enriching dialogue on the concept of “nomadic” new museums.
SMO was honoured to present at the symposium, sharing our insights on the praxis of institutional art collection and display. Our presentation focused on our innovative approach to showcasing art in non-traditional spaces, such as banks, corporate headquarters, fashion venues, and public institutions—locations where audiences are least expecting to engage with art. Through these unconventional exhibitions, we aim to surprise and inspire, challenging preconceived notions of where art belongs.
The symposium featured a diverse range of thought-provoking presentations from global leaders in the field, including Nigerian artists Victor Ehikhamenor and Jahman Anikulapo, as well as curator Jess Castellote. A keynote address by Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka delivered powerful critical reflections on the future of museums and the role of art in society.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Professors Manthia Diawara and Awam Amkpa for leading the dynamic discussions, along with Guggenheim Director Stephanie Rosenthal, Awa Konate, Shabbir Hussain Mustafa, and many others. A special mention goes to Faustin Linyekula, whose soul-stirring performance left a lasting impression on all attendees.
The key takeaway from this symposium was clear: the need to remove barriers and democratize access to art is more pressing than ever. As we look ahead, SMO remains committed to pushing the boundaries of where and how art is experienced, ensuring that creative expression is accessible to all, regardless of location or background.
Report from SMO Contemporary Art. Report rewritten by Ireho Aito. Photographs courtesy SMOArt
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