“Designer from Benin” exhibition: Beninese design begins to blossom

For the first time in Benin, an exhibition brought together the cream of Beninese design for two months in Porto-Novo, political capital of Benin. If some of the artists presented (Noukpo Houndeffo, Isaac Vitou and Péroline Zoé Gonçalves) are already known to the general public or at least to collectors and art lovers in Benin, for Boris Kakpo, Charmelle Sèmènou Alavo and Vignon Avocèvou it was the great baptism of fire. An important step towards the emergence of Beninese talent and design around a very evocative theme : "Art, design and innovation at the time of Benin Revealed.”

Supported by the Jus d’Orange agency, the non-governmental organization Land-Fab for Africa, and the cultural organization Obart, Porto-Novo vibrated from 8 april to 28 May 2023 in the colors of the first edition of the traveling exhibition “Designer of Benin” between three art places namely, Art Residence, Ouadada Center and the Honmè Museum. Sunday, 28 May 2023, the finishing of the first edition of this biennial exhibition took place at the Honmè museum.

By offering strong visibility to young talents alongside already more established designers, Designer from Benin will have made known and recognized a very broad Beninese design scene which draws its inspiration from before the arrival of the white man. It is also the sum of the influences through which Benin has passed since its independence until the present day.. So, the exhibition brought together on its three different sites, around a hundred objects such as furniture, fashion accessories, textile design and product design. These works respond to contemporary issues in an approach of living together, respect for nature, boldness and elegance. They are mainly inspired by African realities and are based on an approach to highlighting the resilience of African people and especially local materials..

“Making design known in all its forms”

The exhibition was also marked by a series of three conferences during the Africa Design School open days which took place on 13 May 2023 in the Sèmè One premises in Cotonou. In particular “The new frontiers of Design : how design adapts to societal and technological changes ?» ; “The emergence of Design in Benin and its impact” and “Design and African culture : how African traditions can inspire design practice ? ». Throughout the two months, the exhibition also saw the participation of students from Africa Design School who presented 7 of their end-of-study work with prototypes to help them understand the importance of this school, premiere of design in West Africa.

A catalog of this edition will appear in this regard at the end of June and will be available in all places of art and culture in Porto-Novo, Cotonou, Abomey-Calavi, In the locomotive, Grand-Popo, DassaZoumè, Savalou, Saviour, Parakou, Nikki, Kandi, Djougou, Natitingou and Tanguieta. Appointment is made 2025 for a new edition of Designer from Benin.

 Patrice ADJAHO