Henri Lefebvre, a French thinker, revolutionized our understanding of space—not in the astronomical sense, but in terms of the spaces we inhabit, think in, and use to build social discourse. His concept is instrumental in analysing the Africa Remix: Contemporary Art of a Continent exhibition. This framework helps us appreciate the complex tapestry of African cultures, identities, and spatial dynamics. Let's explore Lefebvre's three dimensions of space—Perceived, Conceived, and Lived—and see how they offer a fresh perspective on this influential exhibition.

Perceived Space: City and Land

Lefebvre's idea of perceived space focuses on the physical and tangible aspects of our environment. In the context of African art, it involves the exploration of urban and rural landscapes, highlighting the contrasts and complementarities between them. African cities, often seen as centers of modernity and progress, contrast with the rural areas that symbolize tradition and deep cultural roots. This dichotomy, a recurring theme in African art, captures the ongoing transformations shaped by history and colonial legacies.

Conceived Space: History and Identity

Conceived space deals with the intellectual and symbolic dimensions of space, shaped by historical and cultural forces. In African art, this space becomes a canvas for exploring the complex identities formed through historical narratives and social constructs. Artists use their work to navigate and question these identities, challenging stereotypes and offering new perspectives on what it means to be African in a globalized world.

Lived Space: Body and Soul

Lived space is all about the personal and existential experiences of individuals, focusing on the intertwining of the physical and spiritual realms. African art often reflects a holistic view of life, where body and soul are seen as interconnected. Artists explore themes of spirituality, cultural rituals, and the everyday, using the human form as a powerful medium to express deep-seated cultural narratives and challenge conventional notions of beauty and identity.

I'll keep this brief and explain in very simple terms how I applied this when I curated this digital exhibition.

To link Henri Lefebvre's concept of space with Simon Njami's thematic groupings in the Africa Remix exhibition, I used Lefebvre's framework as a lens to deepen the understanding of the artworks and the exhibition's overall narrative. Here's how I integrated them:

1. Perceived Space (City and Land)
   • Link to Njami's Grouping: Urban and Rural Narratives
   • I focused on the physical realities of African urban and rural landscapes, as seen in Lefebvre's concept of perceived space. This helped frame the artworks that explore the contrasts and connections between city life and rural traditions, highlighting themes of modernity, tradition, and the impacts of colonialism.
2. Conceived Space (History and Identity)
   • Link to Njami's Grouping: Historical and Identity Constructs
   • This category allowed me to connect artworks that delve into the intellectual and symbolic dimensions of African history and identity. By doing so, I explored how these works reflect and challenge the narratives constructed by societal, cultural, and political discourses, particularly in the post-colonial context.
3. Lived Space (Body and Soul)
   • Link to Njami's Grouping: Personal and Spiritual Dimensions
   • Lived space provided a way to analyze artworks that focus on the experiential and spiritual aspects of African life. This connection helped in understanding how artists express cultural narratives, spirituality, and personal experiences, using the body as a key medium.

By using Lefebvre's categories, I aimed to provide a nuanced interpretation of the exhibition, illustrating how different aspects of space and identity are interwoven in contemporary African art. This approach enriched the narrative and offered a layered understanding of the artworks and their cultural significance, aligning closely with the thematic groupings set by Simon Njami in Africa Remix. This method highlighted the exhibition's role in presenting a comprehensive and multi-faceted view of Africa's diverse cultures and histories.

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