The exhibition opening
We made an exhibition at the center at the end of our stay. We compiled daily objects and things from the nature around the center and objects we brought from Japan to an installation, and also displayed the collages made in the workshops.
We realized that an exhibition format of placing artworks with captions, which we were trained and used to in Japan and Europe, would not work well in the particular situation. In Burkina Faso, the native languages of Mossi or Dyula are still used widely and they were not written languages originally. Thus the people are not accustomed to read, especially in the agricultural areas where the center was located. Moreover we learned a custom in Burkina Faso - an act of dancing and singing to praise people, spirits, and objects. We decided to write poems to praise the objects we chose and cite the poems in Dyula and Japanese on the stage instead of displaying the objects with texts.
Over view of the installation. Things collected locally and things brought from Japan were placed together. The collages in the background were made in the three workshops.
View of the installation.
Part of the installation, dried situms.
Japanese Konbu seaweed.
Citronella leaves. They smelled very good and were often used to make a herbal tea.
Rope woven by François.
Stem of Okura.
An egg stone Professor Ouedraogo found on his way to Bobo-Dioulasso.
Stool made of Nere tree. The local people have their own stools and carry them wherever they go. It is nicely curved and balanced.
Seeds of Nere tree.
Danfani, an African textile.
Rehearsal of the performance. We had a run through of presenting objects while citing poems in Dyula.
The exhibition began.
Communal dinner after the performance. We had a whole baked sheep.
A dance party took place after the dinner. More than 100 people joined for the opening and the party continued after 11pm.
(Photo by Mariko Tomomasa)
