Climbing the steps to the level 2 room of Dakar town hall, one is greeted by an atmosphere imbued with symbolism and memory. Since November 8, this room has exhibited works entitled “Ruines”, reflecting a deep reflection on the past, present and future of Dakar. Security is ensured at the entrance: police officers direct visitors, a detail which sets the tone: here, art is precious, protected, and respected.
The exhibition decor is captivating, combining the modern with the historical. On the walls, photographs and art objects trace the cultural history of Dakar, contrasting sharply with the rapid urban transformation of the city, as explained by Marco Lena, the executive director of the ASM Archives. He describes the exhibition as a “tribute to places that have disappeared or are in danger of disappearing”, a way of preserving the soul of the city despite the modern buildings which invade the space without regard for traditions.
Every corner of the exhibition hall contains historical treasures. The town hall’s guestbook, for example, bears the signatures of emblematic figures such as General de Gaulle, Ahmed Sékou Touré and Haïlé Selassié, living testimonies of the passage of these personalities in this iconic African city. Marco Lena underlines that these archives, far from being simple relics, are living witnesses of a collective memory. For him, the exhibition is not only a showcase of the past, but a reminder of the importance of preserving this heritage for future generations.
The works presented inspire varied emotions. They bear witness to ecological and societal upheavals, often with a disturbing, sometimes disturbing, realism. Visitors are immersed in stories where past and present intersect; they are encouraged to reflect on the transformations in their environment. Marco Lena explains: “Globalization pushes us to build identical cities, without soul. However, there are still people who continue the traditions in these disappearing neighborhoods.”
The theme of “Ruins” symbolizes this resistance to the erasure of history. Marco Lena even mentions the urgency of preserving certain emblematic places in Dakar, such as the train station and the airport, places on the verge of ruin which could, tomorrow, be lost if nothing is done. For him, the exhibition is like an alarm siren: by destroying places of memory, we risk losing the singularity of society. Walking through this exhibition, visitors not only see objects and images, but they feel a connection with the living history of Dakar. The city is certainly evolving, but this change should not mean oblivion. The “Ruins” exhibition invites everyone to observe, question, and soak up the memories of a Dakar which, despite progress, retains its essence in its archives.
LAMINE DIEDHIOU
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