Dakar - "Dem Dikk/Viavai," an exhibition organized by the Italian Cultural Institute of Dakar, can be visited until July 14th at the Institute's headquarters. The exhibition, stemming from a research project on Sandaga, Dakar's most important market, showcases the vibrant identity of this historic place—a true symbol and heart of the informal economy. Despite the complete demolition of its building and the anticipation of future reconstruction, Sandaga's spirit endures. Constructed between 1933 and 1935 in a neo-Sudanese style, the Sandaga market was once an iconic landmark in the heart of Dakar, hosting over 900 vendors and offering a variety of products, from food to crafts. Although it was designated a "Patrimoine classé" site in 2006 and survived both time and a fire in 2013, the building was demolished in August 2021, marking the end of its rich and colorful history. Curated by Mohamed A. Cissé, the project includes works by Senegalese visual artist Djibril Dramé, and Italian artists Stefania Gesualdo, who has lived in Dakar for several years, and the duo Jukai (Marta Fumagalli and Riccardo Pirovano), currently based in Berlin. The artists' research focused on Sandaga's memory as historical heritage, its transformations over the years, and its current transitional phase, without overlooking the social impact on the community due to its presence or absence. Through interactive, sound, and visual installations, "Dem Dikk/Viavai" aims to keep the memory of the market alive and convey its dynamism, not through its physical structure, but through its sensations and sounds, preserving it as intangible cultural heritage. (9colonne)
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