[In Conversation With] Humanities Across Borders: Archives Beyond the Institutional: Discovery and Critical Possibilities

Location: Galerie Atiss

This conversational roundtable brings together a diverse group of voices to explore archives as sites of discovery and possibility in artistic practice, architectural history, exhibition-making and teaching and research in the humanities. The discussion will centre on how archival materials—ranging from textiles to architectural blueprints—inform and influence contemporary creative work.

Emily Shin-Jie Lee from Framer Framed will reflect on the institution’s exploration of archives, including the exhibition Past Disquiet, which engaged with political history through archival materials.

Carole Diop will discuss the architectural archives that informed their book Dakar, métamorphoses d’une capitale, exploring the transformation of Dakar through both visual and historical lenses.

Aarti Kawlra and Jody Benjamin will discuss the role of textile archives in their research, focusing on the materiality of archives like fabric sample books and their connection to cultural histories.

Aissa Dione is the founder of Galerie Atiss, which opened at Dakar in 1996.The Gallery has gained a reputation for spotting and incubating raw artistic talent from West Africa, often presenting such artists for the first time to an international audience and exhibiting at every Dakar Biennale of Contemporary African Art since its inception. On the occasion of the 15th edition of the Dak’Art Biennial (November 7 – December 7, 2024), Galerie Atiss showcased the knowledge archive (‘Wax Print’ design samples) of Domitexka Saloum (SOTIBA), whose Production Manager Aby Seck will also be joining the conversation.