On the occasion of the 29th edition of FESPACO, the prestigious pan-African film and television festival, the official visual unveiled this Tuesday, December 3, 2024 is a creation by the talented graphic designer Gideon Vink. Entitled “I am Africa”, this masterful work, rich in symbols and deeply rooted in the cultural identity of the continent, is distinguished by its artistic depth and its universal message. Dive into the artist’s explanations to discover their full meaning.
A woman looks straight into the camera lens, her gaze both serene and determined, proud and uninhibited. Unknown, let’s name it “I am Africa”, mother of humanity. Designed so as not to focus on any particular face, it embodies the diversity of the continent: “I am Africa” is everyone and no one at the same time. Africa is us, in an infinite plural.
The figure of “I am Africa” is an opportunity to highlight the central role of women in the world and especially in African societies. We can talk about the women filmmakers, producers and actresses who contribute to making African cinemas shine.
“I am Africa” seems to hide behind the letters of the word FESPACO, while observing us. His face, partially hidden, invites our imagination to fill in the gaps, to construct and deconstruct a complete image. Cinema is a bit like that: a game between the visible and the invisible. A film reveals part of a story to us, leaving us to imagine the rest, like a window open to infinite realities.
His face is a kaleidoscope of woven patterns, a tribute to the cultural riches of the continent. For this 29th edition, FESPACO celebrates these plural identities which are expressed through cinema, but also through music, dance, theater and fashion. Each fabric tells a story, each pattern transports us to a specific region: Malian Bogolan, Ghanaian Kenté, Faso Danfani, Burkinabè Koko Dunda or earrings with a Masai or Zulu pattern, testify to vitality and diversity of our cultures. Each African fabric, each pattern, each color carries within it a deep symbolism, linked to the history of the people.
Gideon Fink
