This exhibition is presented in several African cities. After a launch in Tripoli (Libya) in the form of preview at the 2010 EU-African Union Summit, it was presented in full in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso, 2011) during one of the focal points of celebration of African culture, the pan-African cinema and television festival FESPACO. It was then held in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) at the headquarters of the African Union on the occasion of the African Union Summit (January 2012) and also was installed in the ‘green lung’ of Cairo, Park AL AZHAR (February 2012).

This project, organized jointly by the European Commission and the Palais des Beaux-Arts (Centre for Fine Arts) in Brussels, is an itinerant urban exhibition of contemporary African artistic practices, including artist residencies, showcases of local artists, and workshops on art and development in modern urban centres in Africa. Its intent is to focus on the importance of culture and creativity as motor for development and it was timed to celebrate the 50th anniversary of independence of several African countries. The aim is to provide, through the work of African artists, a snapshot of the transformations that have occurred on the African continent during the last half century, as well as put its future development into perspective.

The exhibition pavilion is designed by Ghanaian architect David Adjaye. Installed in the garden of National Gallery of Zimbabwe, the pavilion will house several exhibits:

• a selection from the photography exhibit A Useful Dream, celebrating 50 years of African photography, curated by Simon Njami;
• The photo-documentary, Urban Africa, a decade long personal survey by David Adjaye on the architecture of African capitals;
• Mifananidzo ye Zimbabwe ndiyo Nhorowondo yedu: Images of Zimbabwe are our narratives, a showcase of young Zimbabwean contemporary photographers, curated by Raphael Chikukwa, curator of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe.

All works exhibited are reproductions.

A workshop for Zimbabwean artists will be organized on 24 May, to discuss structures and audiences for art in Africa with the presence of Simon Njami.

Important dates:
23 May: Art at Work exhibit opening, National Gallery, 17h30. On invitation only.
24 May: Workshop, in the premises of the National Gallery. On invitation only.
24 May – 2 July: Art at Work exhibit, National Gallery. Open to the public.

CONTACTS
International : Hélène van den Wildenberg, Cecoforma press: press@cecoforma.com
Zimbabwe : Buhlebenkosi Moyo, Buhlebenkosi.MOYO@eeas.europa.eu