08/08/2024
Photographs give us the lens to glimpse at something positive instead of the negative. They stir emotions and evoke memories and memory is what makes us who we are. Memories make us human. They help us evaluate the past as we plan for the future. The Evolving Cities of East Africa was a ground breaking exhibition on many levels. It was an inaugural exhibition by Belva showcasing rare and never seen before photos by Mohamed Amin, who was one of the most relied-upon African news photojournalists. Hosted on the first floor of an unfinished building, the photographs breath life, bringing happiness and vitality, transforming a previously austere and monochromatic environment.
I was delighted to be part of the team approached to help with the setup of this seminal exhibition, especially as an alum of the Museum Futures-Kenya. This exhibition not only facilitated a dialogue about the innovative repurposing of space but also paved the way for potential collaborations across various sectors. The event engaged a diverse spectrum of stakeholders, including the art community, pan-African networks, the photographic community, real estate professionals, artists, creatives, and the local populace. The concept itself was refreshingly community-facing and was situated within a space that was both accessible and non-discriminative, offering a glimpse into what the ideal future museum, art or cultural institution should look like.
The very idea of the exhibition was a brainchild of Ilhan, a visionary within the community who sought to unite a network of real estate professionals in a singular artistic initiative. This approach is set to captivate the interest of cultural institutions, gallery curators, and art event organizers. Notably, one of the speakers proposed that the space be preserved as an art gallery and exhibition venue, highlighting the exhibition’s potential to catalyze the development of a vibrant art district should this trend get traction.