MANIFEST Exhibition Opening Ceremony | MANIFEST Exhibition Artworks

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MANIFEST Exhibition Opening Ceremony

And so, September 19th arrived, marking the public opening of the MANIFEST exhibition! The highly anticipated MANIFEST exhibition opened its doors in Nantes, marking the culmination of two years of collaboration across Europe.

The opening featured several side events for the artists, consortium members, and the public. L’Atelier welcomed over 150 guests, including media, officials, and cultural institution representatives.

Attendees witnessed engaging performances by the Gwoka music and dance group Nou Ka Danse, slam poetry collective and MANIFEST artists On a Slamé sur la Lune, and artist Luanda Carneiro Jacoel as part of Kalunga XR, her artwork co-created with Bianca Turner.

During the opening ceremony, inspiring speeches emphasised the exhibition's mission to challenge traditional narratives of colonial history and its enduring impact on society. The exhibition was opened by Patricia Beauchamp-Afadé, the exhibition's curator and Project's coordinator of Les Anneaux de La Mémoire. Opening remarks were given by Stefanie Thomas Gilbert-Roberts, CUMEDIAE’s Project Partner and co-conceptualiser of the project, Oliver Château, Deputy Mayor, responsible for Heritage, Coralie De Souza Vernay, Program Manager for Research and Heritage at the Foundation for the Memory of Slavery, and Anne Gérard, Regional Director of Cultural Affairs for Pays de la Loire.

The MANIFEST exhibition is an invitation to rethink the past through art, innovation, and shared memory. Don't miss this opportunity to experience history in a whole new way. ✊🏾✨

📅 Open at L’Atelier in Nantes until October 6!

More information about the exhibition

MANIFEST Exhibition Artworks

The MANIFEST Final Exhibition in Nantes presents 13 innovative artworks by 22 international artists, offering fresh perspectives on the transatlantic trade of enslaved people. Using technologies like virtual and augmented reality, video, and sound art, these works preserve individual and collective memories, providing an immersive experience.

Some works explore the intimate lives of underrepresented individuals, amplifying the voices of both known and unknown historical figures. These pieces honor the resilience of the enslaved, bringing their stories into the present as powerful symbols for our time.

Other works examine the environmental impacts of colonialism, proposing sustainable futures through ancient wisdom. Another set bridges past and present, highlighting the effects of forced displacement and the lasting influence of African diasporas today.

Some pieces critically re-examine symbols and narratives of the transatlantic trade and colonization. Through audiovisual essays, sound sculptures, and poetic expressions, these works challenge softened views of capitalist modernity and deconstruct fictionalized representations of colonialism, urging us to envision a decolonized future.

Together, these works invite reflection, challenge perspectives, and offer new ways of understanding the enduring impact of colonial histories on our contemporary world.

MANIFEST Nantes Map

The MANIFEST Nantes Map is a perfect companion for those visiting the exhibition, offering an interactive way to explore Nantes' deep historical connections to the transatlantic trade of enslaved people. 🗺️ As a digital supplement to the exhibition materials, the map enhances your experience by guiding you through the city’s landmarks, linking the stories behind the artwork to the physical spaces that shaped them.

📍 Each location on the map is filled with rich historical narratives and images, offering a meaningful journey that uncovers long-hidden truths about Nantes’ role in the transatlantic trade. From former port facilities to iconic monuments, these locations encourage deep reflection on the lasting impact of this history on our society today.

✊ At MANIFEST, we are dedicated to preserving historical memory and fostering deeper conversations about how understanding the past can help us reimagine the present.

Explore Nantes!

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