FAST FORWARD is an exhibition, but not only. It is an experimental project rooted in the long term, at the heart of which we ?nd Art and two seemingly distant continents: Africa and Asia. While contemporary art made by African artists or of African descent or heritage is booming globally, we wanted to confront and dialogue with today’s most prominent economic power, which also happens to be Africa’s ?rst economic partner. As art lovers, we want to challenge the fact that these relations should remain focused on politics, economy and philanthropy.

We thus propose a dialogue between China and the continent’s artistic scene through an exhibition of video works and a series of conferences. It is a way:

- to test the potential of bonding beyond political and economic matters

- to develop mutual awareness of the two areas’ art scenes

- to present and evaluate interest in artistic production from Africa and its diaspora in an unexpected environment

- to attract potential collectors, curators, critics and art lovers based in China

- to set the basis for an increased and educated artistic collaboration between the two longtime ?Pengyou? (Friends).

About the exhibition

For its ?rst edition, FAST FORWARD is presenting a series of works around the theme of time. Its seemingly unalterable radicality, its relativity in relation to context. It is a video exhibition about our weakness before ?Chronos?, but also about our power to dominate it, utilise it. Pause it, accelerate it, slow it, bend it, distort it.

The market for contemporary art made by artists from Africa, the Carribean and the Diaspora is on the rise globally. Artworks have entered every major museum collection around the world and in 2013, the Angolan Pavilion at the Venice Biennale won the Gold Lion Prize for Best National Pavilion, with drawings from Frederic Bruly Bouabré (Ivory Coast) and photographs from Okhai Odjekere (Nigeria) opening the International Pavilion. Okwui Enwezor, a renowned art curator and critic of Nigerian origin has been chosen to direct the International Pavilion for the next Venice Biennale, in 2015. Artists such as El Anatsui and Julie Mehretu are auction favorites, with pieces regularly topping the million dollar mark. It’s now or never!

About Zajia Lab

Established in 2011 by sinologist Ambra Corinti and artist Rong Guang Rong - Zajia lab is a self-?nanced art project. The current venue, inside the front hall of an old Taoist Temple in the heart of Beijing, China, works as independent space for projects usually involving music, art and international cross-cultural exchanges.

Artists and Works

PASCALE OBOLO

DEAMBULATIONS CARNAVALESQUES, VIDEO, 5 min, 2009

SEAN HARTEQUILIBRIUM, VIDEO, 3 min 51, 2013

LIMITS OF CONTROL, VIDEO, 2 min 48, 2011

MICHELE MAGEMA

THE KISS OF NARCISSE, VIDEO, 4 min, 2011

KAPWANI KIWANGA

THE SUN RA REPATRIATION PROJECT, VIDEO, 43 min, 2009

EMEKA OGBOH

[DIS]CONNECT I, II, III and IV, 4 VIDEOS, approx 15 min, 2009

DONNA KUKAMA

THE SWING (after after Fragonard), VIDEO, 4 min 56, 2009

LERATO SHADI

SELOGILWE, VIDEO, 7 hours 3 min, 2010

About AFRIKADAA MAGAZINE

Created by an artist collective, AFRIKADAA is an upcoming, interactive and bilingual (French and English) magazine dedicated to Afro contemporary art. Because it’s time to re-conceptualize the building of bridges between territories, ideas and art theories, AFRIKADAA brings a new perspective to today’s art scene, by telling the stories of contemporary art communities of non-occidental heritage. Our readership is composed by artists, professionals of the art market (gallery owners, collectors, curators), students, teachers, public or private institutions (museums, foundations).

? A real niche media engaged and provocative while remaining educational.? HUFFINGTON POST (France), December 12th 2012

Exhibition Information

Dates: August 22－26 2014

Venue: zajia lab. beijing project space

Address: Hong En Daoist Temple Doufuchi Hutong, Dongcheng District, Beijing

Contacts: Olivia ANANI, Project Manager (French, English and Mandarin) ananiolivia@afrikadaa.com, +86 13041064484 (Beijing)

Courtesy of Olivia ANANI.