A public art project in Saint-Denis (Paris)
July 17–September 21, 2021
Place Victor Hugo (city hall forecourt), Saint-Denis
Curator: Riason Naidoo
Realised in collaboration with Le 6b, and with the assistance of les soeurs Chevalme.
Following an initial meeting in September 2019 with Le 6b—the artist residency in Saint-Denis that had invited him to discuss the potential of a drawing exhibition at their gallery space—two months later in November, and inspired by his visit to Saint-Denis, curator Riason Naidoo instead conceptualised neuf-3 and convinced Le 6b to accompany him on this new adventure. neuf-3 is inspired by Any Given Sunday, a project that Naidoo curated in Cape Town in 2016, and coincides with the artistic values of Le 6b: of creating a more open artistic venue and promoting art in Saint-Denis.
The project brings contemporary African art by renowned artists to the streets of Saint-Denis, making it accessible to its residents and the passing public. The works are displayed on shop fronts, in the niches of historic buildings, in the streets, public squares, and around popular places in the suburb such as the train and tram stations.
If the title of the project neuf-3 (93) takes its name from the popular term designating the department of Seine-Saint-Denis, it is to recall the historical and social context of the department and the suburbs more broadly, which are territories that have become home to immigrant populations. Saint-Denis is a culturally rich community of diverse nationalities.
The initiative pays homage to African artists and communities and their long histories in Paris, simultaneously reflecting on their broader contributions to the metropolis and suburbs like Saint-Denis.
A socially engaged public art project, neuf-3 involves contemporary artists from the department of Seine-Saint-Denis, France and several African countries, who reflect on African experiences, memories, identities and concerns through photography, printmaking, painting, mixed media and performance.
Participating artists:
Jelili Atiku (Nigeria), Dalila Dalléas Bouzar (Algeria/France), les soeurs Chevalme (France), Samuel Fosso (Central African Republic), François-Xavier Gbré (Ivory Coast/France), Kudzanai-Violet Hwami (Zimbabwe/United Kingdom), William Kentridge (South Africa), Lebohang Kganye (South Africa), LAMYNE M (Cameroon/France), Senzeni Marasela (South Africa), Cheikh Ndiaye (Senegal/France/USA), Mary Sibande (South Africa), Barthélémy Toguo (Cameroon/France).
To view all 35 artworks in neuf-3 click here.
*Barthélémy Toguo’s “New World Climax” performance: In this series the artist creates large wooden sculptures, resembling passport stamps, which he uses to make prints on paper. Large and heavy, they symbolise the burden immigrants face in dealing with bureaucracy and moving across borders.
Additional credits: Samuel Fosso’s and Barthélémy Toguo’s participation in neuf-3 was made possible in partnership with the musée du quai Branly-Jacques Chirac; Kudzanai-Violet Hwami’s and Dalila Dalleas Bouzar’s participation in neuf-3 was made possible by the Heinrich Böll Stiftung, Cape Town; Mary Sibande’s and Lebohang Kganye’s participation in neuf-3 was made possible by the French Institute of South Africa; Jelili Atiku’s participation in neuf-3 was made possible in partnership with the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire Paul Eluard de Saint-Denis, la ville de Saint-Denis and the Center for the Study of Slavery & Justice (Brown University, U.S.A.).
