In the rapidly changing urban landscape of Lagos, where art spaces are dwindling under the pressure of commercial interests and the pressures of development and gentrification, the Goethe-Institut Nigeria has initiated a project that addresses the unique challenges associated with creating and sustaining spaces for artistic expression. The project "Art/Space Negotiations" seeks to explore the availability, sustainability, and utilization of such. This initiative resonates deeply with the city's creative community, as it brings to the fore critical questions about the future of art spaces in Lagos.
The Art/Space Negotiations project officially kicked off in 2022, with a gathering of art space owners in Lagos. This initial meeting was marked by a sense of urgency and concern as participants shared the challenges they face in maintaining their spaces amidst the rapidly evolving urban environment. Some of these challenges were so severe that they led to the closure of some art spaces, further exacerbating the already critical situation. These losses underscore the vulnerability of art spaces in Lagos and highlight the pressing need for solutions that can protect and sustain them.
The Art/Space Negotiations discussions further culminated in a panel discussion in October 2023. The topics covered during this event were: "Space Creation as a Curatorial Practice," "Lagos Critical Art Space in Phases," and a featured talk with Bayo Omoboriowo on his newly established creative incubator, MADHouse. These discussions raised important questions that continue to linger: How can we create spaces for critical art that are not beholden to market forces or forced to compete with other sectors of the economy? How can existing spaces be negotiated, repurposed, and utilized to address the art space desert that exists in many Lagos communities?
The significance of these questions cannot be overstated. As an art and culture writer, I find it deeply troubling that the vibrant creative energy that once characterized Lagos is now at risk of being stifled by the relentless march of commercialization. The loss of spaces is not just a blow to the artistic community; it is a loss for the city as a whole. Art spaces are not mere venues for exhibitions or performances; they are vital incubators of creativity, places where ideas are born, nurtured, and shared. Without them, the cultural fabric of Lagos is at risk of unraveling.
In the months following the October 2023 panel discussion, some new initiatives appeared within the Nigerian art scene that have given cause for optimism. On August 15, 2024, Mefa, a prominent organization, announced a public-private partnership project to build six concert spaces across Nigeria. This announcement is a testament to the growing recognition of the importance of spaces for cultural expression. Similarly, Ennovated, a dance organization, titled their international annual party scheduled for September 22, "Negotiating Spaces," drawing inspiration from the ongoing discussions. Even the popular musician Rema has made headlines for his plans to build the largest music institute in Benin City, further emphasizing the need for dedicated spaces for the arts.
Back in Lagos, the Art/Space Negotiations initiative has extended its reach through a partnership with The Sahara Centre and its Lantern Laboratory program. This collaboration has led to the creation of the Lantern Art Space Fellowship program, an experiential, multi-disciplinary initiative that seeks to negotiate access to space for cultural and creative expression in Lagos communities. The fellowship program, which was announced in June 2024, called for applications from artists, cultural entrepreneurs, producers, researchers, architects, and community development professionals. The response was overwhelming, with 50 qualified applications received, and from this pool, 16 fellows were selected. These fellows represent a diverse group of individuals, including artists, art administrators, researchers, architects, project managers, cultural producers, and creative entrepreneurs.
The first workshop of the Lantern Art Space Fellowship program took place in July at INDIGO by The Sahara Centre. The workshop was facilitated by a team of experts, including Dr. Adun Okupe, Femi Adewuyi (Studio Contra), Chukwuemeka Smart (The Sahara Centre), and Daniel Emenahor (The British Council). The fellows were divided into two teams based on their skill sets and complementary attributes. Each team was comprised of a project management officer, a programs curation officer, an architect or designer, and a community engagement officer. The workshop's activities included identifying viable spaces for art and cultural activities in Lagos, brainstorming ideas for space creation, and exploring what makes such spaces viable. Some of the spaces identified during these discussions were unconventional, including areas under bridges, flat rooftops, abandoned warehouses and industrial plants, cemeteries, public parks, and the walls of buildings. The inclusion of cemeteries as potential art spaces is particularly striking, as it challenges conventional notions of where art can and should be displayed.
The second meeting of the fellows was held virtually in August 2024. This session focused on stakeholder engagement, space negotiation, and access, with Dr. Adun Okupe and Dr. Mambidzeni Madzivire (Haralago) serving as facilitators. The fellows were tasked with drawing up a list of stakeholders to engage with during their teams’ projects. The teams presented the first drafts of their proposals and received feedback from the facilitators. These proposals represent the first tangible steps towards realizing the goals of the Art/Space Negotiations initiative.
In the weeks following the second meeting, the fellows participated in a series of strategic activities designed to deepen their understanding of space negotiation and utilization. One of the most significant of these activities was a tour of Freedom Park, a repurposed memorial and leisure park located in the heart of Lagos Island. Freedom Park, which was formerly Her Majesty's Broad Street Prison, was designed by architect Theo Lawson as a speculative project under the Cultural Intellectual Association (CIA) in 1999. The fellows' visit to Freedom Park served two key purposes: to bring them into physical contact with a successfully negotiated space for art and culture, and to provide an opportunity to critique the space with Mr. Theo Lawson himself. This visit was a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when creative vision is combined with a deep understanding of the historical and cultural context of a space.
On the same day as the Freedom Park tour, the first meeting of the Lantern Space Fellowship advisory board members took place. Among the members are Mr. Tolulope Adelowo, CTO of PlentyTechJobs Africa and Residents Association Chairman; Mr. Idowu Johnson, Director of the Lagos State Council of Arts and Culture; Dr Folayinka Dania, the Chief Resilience Officer, Lagos Resilience Office; Prof. Peju Layiwola, Professor of Art History at the University of Lagos; Mr. Theo Lawson, Architect and Chief Warden of Freedom Park Lagos; Dr. Nadine Siegert, Director of Goethe-Institut Nigeria; Kolawole Oludamilare, Programs Coordinator of Goethe-Institut Lagos; Dr. Adun Okupe, Director of The Sahara Centre; and Chukwuemeka Smart, The Lantern Space Fellowship Coordinator. This diverse group of board members will play a crucial role in guiding the fellows as they develop and refine their project proposals.
The final presentations of the fellows' proposals are scheduled to be exhibited in November later this year at Freedom Park Lagos. This exhibition will be the culmination of months of hard work, collaboration, and creative exploration. It represents not just the end of the Lantern Art Space Fellowship program, but also the beginning of a new chapter in the ongoing struggle to secure and sustain spaces for art in Lagos. The journey to negotiate space for art in the city of Lagos is far from over, but the Art/Space Negotiations initiative has already made significant strides in bringing this critical issue to the forefront of public discourse.
As I reflect on the work being done through the Art/Space Negotiations project, I am reminded of the words of Joan Didion, who once wrote, "We tell ourselves stories in order to live." In Lagos, where the stories of artists and creative spaces are increasingly being overshadowed by the forces of commercialization and development, initiatives like this one are vital. They remind us that art is not just a luxury or a commodity, but a fundamental part of what it means to be human. Art spaces are where these stories are told, where communities come together to share their experiences, their struggles, and their dreams. Without these spaces, we risk losing not just our cultural heritage, but also our sense of identity and belonging.
In the end, the success of the Art/Space Negotiations project will depend on the ability of the Lagos art community to come together, to engage in meaningful dialogue, and to find creative solutions to the challenges they face. It will require a willingness to think outside the box, to embrace unconventional spaces and to challenge the status quo. Most importantly, it will require a commitment to preserving and nurturing the artistic spirit of Lagos, a spirit that has long been a source of inspiration and pride for the city's residents.
As we continue to follow the journey of the Art/Space Negotiations initiative, we must remain vigilant in our efforts to protect and sustain the spaces that are so vital to the cultural life of Lagos. We must support the artists, curators, and cultural entrepreneurs who are working tirelessly to create and maintain these spaces, and we must advocate for policies that prioritize the needs of the creative community. Only by doing so can we ensure that Lagos remains a vibrant, dynamic city where art and culture can thrive.
ABOUT
CARL TERVER
Carl Terver has a BA in English from Benue State University, Makurdi. He was longlisted for the 2024 Commonwealth Short Story Prize. He has been published in The Stockholm Review, Goethe-Institut Nigeria, and Afapinen, and he is the author of the photobook, Glory to the Sky. Terver writes about film, literature, photography, and music.
KOLAWOLE OLUDAMILARE
Kolawole Oludamilare is a cultural producer and writer from Lagos, Nigeria. He has been published in The Guardian Nigeria, Africa in Words, Music in Africa, Brittle Paper and other places. He is presently working on the project Art/Space Negotiation: Lagos, a project initiated by Goethe-Institut Nigeria to open a new line of interrogations and discussions on space availability and utilization for critical art in Lagos.
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