On the 7th of November 2021 at exactly 8:00 pm, Art X Lagos 2021 closed its entrances and exits at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria. While that marks the end of the Sixth Edition physical fair, the 2021 Art X Lagos Virtual/Digital Experience continues until the 21st of November 2021 on Artsy.
Click here to see all participating artworks and prices. Hopefully, your favorite artwork has not been tagged: SOLD.
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1st Half- The Epilogue
Anyhow, some of the artworks had already been sold at the physical fair before Saturday 6th November and Sunday 7th November 2021 when the fair was officially opened to the public. Maybe one of the FREE ticket attendees was right when he said “we are the ones left with the leftovers”.
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Well, it is not totally wrong to assume that the crowd of REGULAR public viewers who came into the fair on the 6th and 7th in accordance with their timed tickets were not all really there to buy anything. But to do gallery booth tours, document the moment and their presence in pictures and videos while engaging in the usual networking for the unshy lots.
Hence, it is very reasonable that organizers dedicated the first two days of the fair opening to VIPs and renowned Art Collectors who would not have loved to do their art shopping amidst the rowdiness of touring school students and unmanageable megapixel clicks from excited teenagers, youths, and adults. Besides, with all that has been said and seen in relation to the Coronavirus Pandemic, two days for VIPs and another two days for regulars seemed like a sensible fair distance.
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Notwithstanding, the hybrid Sixth Edition of Art X Lagos seemed tailored to suit the deep-pocketed buyers rather than the low-paid non-partisan individuals who desire to come in and enjoy the totality of the Art X Fair.
Although the Art X Lagos fair 2021 virtual and physical fair sounds very equitable and interesting. In real life, it strikes someone as only favoring the VIPs who have had enough time to rest ahead of the Art X Talks and Art X Live that took place on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th of November 2021 respectively.
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First, the FREE ticket holders were forced to time their involvement. Then they would have to participate in Art X Talks and Art X Live by streaming via ZOOM and Youtube respectively. Participation many FREE ticket holders would have to struggle with while apparently still at the fair trying to take in as much as they can within 5 hours before their ticket expires.
Others would most likely never be able to join the digital Art X Talks sessions or Art X Live they registered for on the Art X Lagos website as they are on the road back home while expectedly cursing the providers of their telecommunication networks for poor data connection.
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Then you begin to ask yourself why you paid #3,000-#5,000 for a FREE ticket if the fair program schedules or structuring have not been done in a way that favors you, one of the underprivileged majority, as the creme de la creme minority.
Even though it is understandable that Art X Lagos was trying to adhere to World Health Organization guidelines of less crowded events and safe distancing. The cardinal objective for the way this Sixth Edition Physical Fair has been structured would be to prioritize the satisfaction of its target audience, buyers, and investors. So organizers can settle their bills and not count losses.
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Nonetheless, it is wise for the organizers to grasp that the popularity of the fair which attracts future investors, foreign audiences, and global eyes is largely dependent on the “cheap” majority who might not be able to afford to buy one of the artworks on display. But are looking to share on social media their attendance of the most important parts of the physical fair.
Such as learning from expert knowledge and having fun at Art X Live as it should be included in the terms and conditions that come with buying a FREE ticket. At least, going forward, like the Jones, they should be considered in the allocation of tickets for such sections like the Art X Talks and Art X Live of this hybrid Fair.
Therefore, it is hard to say if another solely virtual Art X Lagos would have been preferable to this hybrid Sixth Edition.
What is easy to say is this- the world is hurting. As a result, the cheerful and friendly nature that used to be embodied by international attendees of Art X Lagos has also been injured. Especially the willingness of Westerners to relate with Lagosians/Nigerians.
Obviously, the Coronavirus Pandemic is the number one culprit. Foreigners are seen coming in strapped to their teeth with their face masks. That being said, security officials kept interrupting discussions in an attempt to humbly enforce attendees to use their facemasks.
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Unquestionably, the viral Hushpuppi arrest by the Dubai Police and eventual extradition to the United States in 2020 also contributed to the “passers-by” attitude without a doubt evident at this year’s Art X Lagos Physical Fair.
It was hard to find an unimportant Lagosian or Nigerian interaction with whites; who wouldn’t even grant the request of a selfie. It is almost as if they see the image of Hushpuppi upon approach for an interview or conversation as the case may be.
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The 2021 Art X Lagos Physical Fair was strictly a “ mind your af-fair business” kind. Reasons for that you would manifestly have discovered from the 1st half part of this article.
Be that as it may, the major connecting element that brings everyone together is ART and nothing “ favorable” else that normally judging from the previous Art X Lagos physical fair would have been icing on the cake matters more than that.
2nd Half- Six Impressive Features of Art X Lagos 2021 Physical Fair
By and by, having said all that, Art X Lagos 2021 Physical Fair was still and all, EPIC! There is a multiplicity of impressive features that made the FREE ticket regardless of how much you bought yours worth it.
Special Limited Prints of Yusuf Grillo on Exhibition
The majestic kó special Booth 1 was dedicated to the “creative monk” as Yusuf Grillo was described in the gallery’s Press Release. Attendees could not have enough of the 12 reproduced artworks of the maestro’s pieces from 1983-2015 in limited prints.
This would be Yusuf Grillo’s first print exhibition and everybody who attended the Art X Lagos 2021 Physical Fair can claim to be a part of a glorious history of an enigmatic artistic personality.
NFT Auction and Exhibition
Linda-Dounia—Joy (2)
The auction and exhibition of NFT by African buzzing digital artists by Art X Lagos and SuperRare“ RELOADING…” also had kids and adults drooled away in the colorfulness and awesomeness of what NFT is in real life.
This special part of the fair was co-curated by Osinachi who is the first African NFT artist whose NFT was exhibited by Christie’s Auction House. This is as likely as not the closest; 90% of the local attendees from Nigeria/Africa would get to an NFT.
Additionally, this is another historical moment in the life of witnessing art enthusiasts who were physically part of the Art X Lagos 2021 Physical Fair. A lifetime experience every Art X Lagos 2021 Physical Fair NFT viewer would describe with the phrase “super cool!”.
Unfolding Layers of Time
Unfolding Layers of Time is a curated project by Kelani Abass immediately at the entrance of the Physical Fair Exhibition Space that catches the attention of any attendee.
There is something irresistible about the striking Kelani Abass family archives which make up the installation for the specially curated project.
Like the aforementioned features that evoke a sense of admiration for Art X Lagos 2021 Physical Fair, as usual, this installation by Kelani Abass supports the notion that there is a consistently high level of intellectual contribution involved in the planning of Art X Lagos.
The Interactive Trick Film Creation
The Critics and Aye! revealed the tricks behind the biggest Hollywood movies to attendees using film techniques and effects to create illusions as are seen in movies resulting in the creation of the Nigerian parlance: Fil Trick.
The interactive project We Are Here almost certainly catches the fancy of attendees for it has the outlook of behind the scenes of blockbuster Hollywood Sci-fi or apocalypse flicks.
The Critics and Aye! made it look even more spectacular as attendees were selected randomly to take turns in front of a green background to have a protagonistic share of their own “ film trick” moment that is scripted, acted, and released on the spot for other attendees to watch. It was nothing short of an awe-inspiring moment.
ÌYÁBỌ̀
“There are words that wound. Black is the name given to me by someone else.”-
Achille Mbembe
It is difficult to find words to describe the excellent short film ÌYÁBỌ̀ by ADÉỌLÁ ỌLÁGÚNJÚ. You can watch it here. Iyabo is one of the two solo exhibitions under the FUTURE AFRICA project.
While the major character’s (female) stark nakedness throughout the film would be unspokenly condemned by parents since under 18s were not restricted from watching, the theme of the film is succinct.
The short movie narrates the birth of Africa, her loneliness in battling the ordeals that continue to challenge her strength; her fall into the depth of confinement that tested her resilience; her survival and victory through the lake of fire.
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Documentary Photography
The documentary by 2019 Art X Prize winner Etinosa Yvonne is one of the splendid parts of Art X Lagos 2021. Her solo exhibition “ It’s all in my head” remains thereafter after you have exited the viewing booth of the recorded true-life fact-based multimedia exhibition.
Although the documentary narrates sorrowful, regrettable, and unfortunate happenings in the lives of different individuals; it is memorable for the holographic experience which brings to life the stories of witch-hunt survivors of different forms of abuse.
Hence making it relatable to the onlooker. The ending scene that saw Pastor David Oyedepo included celebrating the discovery, and dealing with a witch is highly commendable for the bold objective effort of Etinosa Yvonne.
In the end, the founder of Art X Lagos Tokini Peterside and her team with the level of achievement that is visible with Art X Lagos Physical Fair of 2021 pushes on with proving while sustaining their progressively pioneering, determined, ambitious attitude. The artworks on display by each gallery are nothing short of extremely good.
At the end of each edition, Art X Lagos maintains a strong desire and commitment to succeed in rewarding the passion of African artists and elevating the reputation of African arts including the status of Africa in the discussion of art that is taking place around the world.
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The weaknesses will not disappear in a day for the organizers are sincerely attempting to meet the high aspirations that have been set which are not something that is a piece of cake. Yet, Art X Lagos will continue to flourish for being daring, inventive, and innovative in the face of huge expectations.