reframing the dialogue @ the nexus of technology & culture
Our Installations
Technology has transformed the way we experience visual creativity.
Infinity rooms, with their mirrored surfaces and endless reflections, create an immersive environment that invites viewers to lose themselves in an endless expanse of light and color.
These installations challenge traditional boundaries of art beyond fabric and materiality and encourage active participation, making each interaction a unique and personal experience.
The Herd, the Crash, the Bloat, and Their Lovers (2018)
A striking series, of bronze maquettes of elephants, rhinos, and hippos. The mirrors create an illusion of infinite figures, symbolizing an intervention to expand their numbers.
By immersing viewers in a mirrored expanse, the work invites contemplation on the fragility of wildlife, the impact of human action, and the necessity of a concerted effort to sustain our planet's biodiversity. It serves as a metaphor for conservation, reflecting the urgency for their preservation.
Mind, Body and Soul (2018)
An interactive installation that invites viewers to dialogue about wellness and personal growth. As individuals approach the artwork, the activation of lights unveils a captivating array of bronzed vaccine vials neatly arranged in three horizontal cabinets.
Each vial in the bottom ('Mind") and middle ("Body") cabinet is labeled with an ailment and serves as a representation of potential elixirs. The top cabinet, ("Soul"), features vials offering spiritual tonics, intended to facilitate transformative experiences. This installation encourages the audience to reflect on their journeys toward healing and self-discovery.
Geographic Expression (2016)
A provocative installation employing mirrors and neon lights. It engages viewers to reflect on the history of Nigeria. Through its satirical approach, it encourages deeper considerations of naming as a political and cultural act.
Comprising eight panels, it juxtaposes proposed names with fictional ones, revealing the emotional weight and ingrained biases associated with the country's identity. Each name serves as a lens to explore the amalgamation of cultures and the inherent fragility, complexities, and challenges it can pose. In inviting introspection, the work becomes a medium for understanding how language shapes collective memory and influences perceptions.
Diaspora.VIP (2020)
During the pandemic, online use of multiple flag emojis surged, symbolizing a latent desire to express blended cultural histories. This project creatively harnesses national flags to develop a unifying design that celebrates the 75,000 combinations of diasporic heritage.
By showcasing it through wearable art, it fosters collaboration resulting in garments that transcend traditional fashion. The installation presented a diverse array of motifs, transforming them into unique fashion items that act as markers of celebration for blended identities and cultures. Through textiles, the motifs serve as powerful expressions of individuality, honoring the complexities of shared human experience. It expresses multiculturalism and the beauty of diversity in a contemporary context.
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Our Projects/Exhibitions
Repetition and Inflections (2009)
Icons of a Metropolis (2011)
The pieces showcased in this exhibition invite viewers to explore the intricate labyrinth of repetition, where the concept evolves into a powerful visual experience. Through repetition, we witness the fascinating process of reinvention that enriches our understanding, allowing familiar images to gain new significance. This technique establishes authority within the repeated elements, elevating the photographs to unprecedented heights of expression.
It also creates a tension that challenges meanings, prompting contemplation and introspection. The polarizing nature of repetition compels us, as viewers, to discern subtle distinctions and seek deeper meanings that lie beyond the surface of each image, transforming our engagement with art into a profound dialogue about perception and interpretation.
In “Icons of a Metropolis,” Ade Adekola masterfully explores 20 character archetypes that embody the spirit of urban life in Lagos. Through a captivating collection of montages, portraits, and mosaics, he paints a vibrant visual narrative that highlights these figures as creative forces, self-organizing elements of a bustling city.
While they may remain barely noticeable amidst the dynamic flow of urban existence, each icon contributes to the rich tapestry that defines Lagos. Together, they form an intricate urban mythology, drawing attention to the overlooked yet essential aspects of city life. This artistic portrayal not only celebrates their persistent presence but also underscores their role as the lifeblood that sustains the vibrant heartbeat of Lagos, reflecting the complexity and resilience of its inhabitants.
Pret-a-Installer (2014)
Art X Lagos (2016)
In the vibrant streets of Lagos, moments often slip by unnoticed, yet Adekola masterfully captures these transitory scenes, transforming them into powerful images charged with social and emotional meaning. Each photograph serves as a poignant reminder of the raw elements of humanity, compelling viewers to engage with the deeper narratives woven into the everyday.
By offering fresh perspectives on Lagos in the context of the broader world, Adekola not only highlights the beauty and complexity of urban life but also ignites a call for change. The physical artworks stand as both the culmination of this vision and a catalyst for transformation, asserting the performative nature of photography. Through this art, vibrant memories are created and preserved, inviting reflection on both local experiences and global connections that shape our collective existence.
Adekola's innovative approach to art redefines the way we perceive everyday Nigerian scenes, transforming them into electrifying metaphors that resonate deeply within our cultural narrative. His hybrid photographs serve as intricate constructions that engage the viewer, inviting them to explore the layers of meaning embedded within each piece. As one gazes at the details, the eye naturally settles on significant elements, peeling away layers to reveal the cultural payload that Adekola believes art should embody.
Through his work, he captures the essence of a society in flux, crafting legacy artworks that provoke thought and reflection. Adekola’s ability to transform seemingly mundane moments into profound statements is a testament to his vision of shaping and redefining Nigeria's visual culture in a meaningful way.
Ghosts of Bar Beach (2018)
Optic Nerve (2019)
Bar Beach, once a vibrant hub of life and leisure, reflects a poignant history that has been significantly altered by the development of Eko Atlantic City. The remastered images, infused with striking colors, evoke a deep sense of nostalgia for the "Bar Beach moods" that now exist only in memory.
This "post-documentary" work captures not events but rather the essence of a colorful past, creating an emotional resonance that transcends time. Each image invites the viewer into a slow, meditative space, where the interplay of layered visuals and vibrant hues symbolizes the complexities of nostalgia and loss. Through his artistic lens, Ade skillfully reimagines the beach’s rich history, reminding us of the moments that have slipped away, yet vibrantly linger in our collective memory.
Ade's deep fascination with perception drives his exploration of how we can transform our environments for the better. The exhibition "Optic Nerve" emerges from his reflections on various societal challenges faced in Nigeria. He posits that true change must originate from within the minds of the citizens, emphasizing the importance of altering our perspectives first.
By stating, “we must learn how to tickle our optic nerves to fool our brains,” he invites us to question our visual experiences. The artworks presented are optical inventions that not only challenge traditional image-making processes but also encourage viewers to engage with the interplay of line, color, shape, and form. Through this interaction, he aims to make the process of transforming perception a more accessible and enjoyable pursuit.
Dislocation & (2021)
Smokes and Barrels (2023)
Lagos played host to its first global digital art and creative exposition,. This groundbreaking exhibition united creators from cities like Tokyo, Israel, and Singapore, featuring a diverse array of works, including NFT art, 3D textiles, and Augmented Reality installations. Curated by Ade Adekola, the exhibition, titled "Dislocation &...," held at Gallery B57 and showcased three distinct bodies of work.
Each piece was conceived, executed, and completed during the pandemic, allowing the artists to delve into the complex theme of dislocation and its impact on humanity. Through this innovative platform, the exhibition aims to highlight the various circumstances of dislocation and their profound effects on our lives, fostering a greater understanding of this universal experience in the contemporary art landscape.
In a vibrant staging and test environment located within a members' whiskey bar in Lagos, art collectors can indulge in the unique experience of viewing our exquisite lightbox pieces while enjoying a meal or sipping their favorite drink. Each month, we refresh our gallery, rotating the artwork to ensure that our friends and growing admirers are continually captivated and engaged.
This dynamic approach showcases our new works and also fosters a sense of community among art enthusiasts. The blend of fine dining, drinks, and innovative art makes for a truly remarkable ambiance, encouraging conversation and inspiration as patrons appreciate the ever-evolving display of creativity in their surroundings.
Our projects explore innovative ways to experience art, from immersive displays to interactive and responsive platforms.
Artworks that seek to redefine our understanding of spatial dynamics and audience involvement, represent a captivating intersection of technology and creativity, inviting us to explore the realms of our imagination.
Our Next Projects (Coming Soon).
Interrogating the Archives III
Symbols as Essence
Conscious Currency
Berlin
The proposed Crystal Sentinel stands majestically at the entrance of Berlin Global Village, serving as a guardian that embodies vital dialogues on decolonization.
This innovative tower leverages artificial intelligence to dynamically change its colors, reflecting the sentiments of the public. Each hue serves not only as an artistic expression but also as a barometer for societal feelings regarding historical grievances and the quest for justice. On significant dates, such as the anniversaries of the independence of colonized nations, the Sentinel illuminates in the colors of their flags, creating a vibrant tribute that acknowledges their struggles and celebrates their achievements. This visually striking monument thus fosters awareness, inspires reflection, and encourages a communal commitment to progress in the conversation about decolonization, making it an essential landmark within the cultural tapestry of Berlin.
Israel
This project creatively harnesses national flags to develop a unifying design that celebrates the 75,000 combinations of diasporic heritage. Collaborating with Solo Pattern we create unique outfits from the Nigerian-Israeli diaspora motif.
Resulting in garments that transcend traditional fashion. Through textiles, the motifs serve as powerful expressions of individuality, honoring the complexities of shared human experience. It expresses multiculturalism and the beauty of diversity in a contemporary context.
Japan
In 2020, we delved into NFTs, seizing the chance to explore its rich cultural nuances. Our journey became a tapestry of allegorical references, linking the legacy of Cosimo de' Medici to the rise of breakdancing in the Olympics. We examined the pulsating beats of house music and raves, celebrating icons like Steve Aoki while tracing the evolution of techno.
Our work intersected with themes of The Matrix, the allure of diamonds, the rise of Bitcoin, and critical civil rights movements, all woven with threads of fashion and diverse communities. This creative endeavor morphed into a monumental opus, culminating in a groundbreaking collaboration with Japanese artist Kenichiro Takamatsu, leading to Nigeria's first public exhibition of Augmented Reality Artworks, which stands as a testament to innovation and cultural dialogue in the ever-evolving digital landscape.
Off-site Projects & Collaborations
