Mansour Ciss Kanakassy

SOS-Edition 2012
Offset print with iridescent foil
3 notes at 8 × 15 cm
Euro 300,00 per edition (incl.VAT)
Incl. edition envelope
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Mansour Ciss Kanakassy was born in Senegal in 1957. He attended the Institut National des Arts du Sénégal, graduating as Master Sculptor in 1977.
He quickly established himself as an internationally successful artist.
In 1985 he left Senegal for political reasons. Since the 1990s he has lived and worked in Berlin, while still frequently travelling to Senegal for his art projects.
His art often addresses the relationship between Europe and Africa while affording knowledge and respect for the respective cultures.
For example, “Déberlinisation” is the artist’s utopian concept of an economically and politically strong and independent Africa. The name alludes to the Berlin Conference of 1884-85, during which the colonial powers mapped out their areas of influence in Africa, thereby constituting the basis for the ultimate division of the continent. With his imaginary currency, the Afro, Mansour Ciss Kanakassy artistically translates the offshoots of the Pan-African fantasies of the colonial era.
The artist regularly participates in the international festival of contemporary African art, Dak’Art, in Senegal. In 2008 he was laureate of the Dak’Art Biennale. In recent years he has had exhibitions in Berlin and Paris.

SOS Children’s Village in Dakar, Senegal

Senegal is considered to be one of the world’s poorest countries. The reasons are manifold. Periods of drought repeatedly lead to crop failures with devastating consequences for the people. Strong population growth also plays an important role in the impoverishment.

The SOS Children’s Villages has been active in Senegal for over 30 years. In 1977 the foundation of the SOS Children’s Village in Dakar was laid on the outskirts of the city.

Due to the precarious social situation in Senegal, the SOS Children’s Village in Dakar has been fully occupied ever since its opening.

After 34 years, the SOS Children’s Village has made its mark. It is a place of shelter and security. Dieynaba Touré, the head of the village explained that the benefits will be even more tangible after the planned remodelling. It consists not simply of general constructional measures, but also of building vegetable gardens for the families. Each family will have its own plot where the children can learn about organic cultivation of beetroot, beans, carrot, cauliflower and aubergine. This serves the dual purpose of providing extra food for the families and teaching the children to take a part of the responsibility.