BIENNALE DE LUBUMBASHI

The Lubumbashi Biennale, one of the flagship events of the contemporary art scene in Africa, returns for its eighth edition from October 24 to November 24. Organized by Picha Asbl, it highlights the thought and heritage of Valentin-Yves Mudimbe, a world-renowned Congolese philosopher, writer and professor. “Its philosophy of reevaluation, informed by the artistic practices supported by Picha, offers an innovative curatorial framework that provides a breath of fresh air in the face of toxicity. »
In a redesigned format, extended and segmented over several years, this edition entitled “Towards an Antidote to Toxicity” is associated with the University of Lubumbashi, where the personal library of the author of “The Reinvention of Africa”.
For Picha Asbl, this disruptive edition of the Lubumbashi Biennale is inspired by the reflections and works of Mudimbe, since “The Odor of the Father” (1982), in order to “rethink libraries, the forms of transmission and production of knowledge that has shaped our vision of the world, our practices, both local and global. »
Resistance projects
At the heart of this Biennale, the “Valentin-Yves Mudimbe Library”, in partnership with the University of Lubumbashi, will occupy a central place during the four weeks of the event. A conference, exhibitions, and meetings between artists, researchers and academics will be held around Mudimbe’s philosophy. Speakers include leading figures such as professor and writer Lye Yoka, Nadia Yala Kisukidi, doctor of philosophy and associate lecturer, and Bogumil Jewsiewicki, eminent professor and author of “Memory of Lubumbashi (1990-2004)”.
The “Routes & Navigations” project, led by Picha and the Hyundai Tate Research Centre: Transnational, will deepen reflection on the historical and contemporary links between the DRC and the city of Liverpool. It is a work at the crossroads of art, history and colonial memory, linked to the question of slavery.
A trio of artists, Sixte Kakinda (DRC), Roger Peet (United States) and Toshie Takeuchi (Japan), will explore archives and collections relating to the memory of the atomic bomb and its origins in the Shinkolobwe mine in Katanga. The “Shinkolobwe” project will initiate artistic research and dialogue between Lubumbashi and local actors and communities.
Ten artists from the 2024 class of Ateliers Picha, a series of mentorships for Congolese artists that Picha organizes each year, will participate in the Biennale, thus providing an exhibition platform to local audiences and international visitors.

About Picha
Picha (“image” in Swahili) is an initiative of independent artists based in Lubumbashi, supporting and promoting artistic creation in the DRC since 2008. Picha offers exhibition, residency and mentoring opportunities to Congolese, African and international artists . The Lubumbashi Biennale, the heart of Picha’s work, is part of a set of programs intended to promote urban creativity, while maintaining a strong local anchor. Other projects supported by Picha include Artist Residencies, Atelier Picha, and the Makwacha Project.
To find out more:
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