In today’s digital era, photomontage is no longer viewed as a cut and paste of physical pieces only. With image editing tools, photographers have the opportunity to go beyond the limitation of printed photographs to represent reality in a more creative way. Several African photographers also embraced this technique to construct imaginary worlds or surreal scenes. Their photographs, often staged or digitally manipulated, are then used to represent an idea or convey a message.
In the 2000s, photography, video, and installation have gained popularity as mediums of expression for an emerging generation of African artists. Major exhibitions and biennials have brought worldwide attention to several artists who have turned to photographic practices to define and represent an African identity. They challenge the Western conception of Africa allowing the continent to speak for itself through their artworks.
As interest in contemporary African art continues to grow, we identified several events that are worth visiting in August. From Arles to Atlanta, we’ve got you covered with a quick guide of what to discover this month. So, we’ve rounded up our favorite events of August featuring African and Africa related art practices and projects.