AfriKin Artist Talk and Book Signing Miami Art Week 2024

AfriKin Talk: Familiar Strangers

This AfriKin Talk titled “Familiar Strangers” at the AfriKin Art Fair 2024 adeptly interweaves the existential threads of our shared human experiences, utilizing art as a profound medium to connect, inspire, and catalyze meaningful change. This evening will feature a panel discussion with the artists and have a book signing by the artist Chukes with his book Identity Theft and by Angèle Etoundi Essamba with her book Everything is Connected.

This overview will serve as a compelling foundation for the actual event, setting the stage for an engaging and impactful discussion. The emphasis is on inclusivity, the power of art to transcend barriers, and the rallying call to support those in adversity.

Overview: At the AfriKin Art Fair 2024, themed “Threads of Life in Fragments of Time,” we invite attendees to delve into the profound interconnectedness that defines the human condition. Set against the backdrop of Miami Art Week at Maison AfriKin, this talk explores how invisible threads connect us as familiar strangers, weaving through the tapestry of our lives and binding us across the realms of time and space.

Objective: “Familiar Strangers” aims to shed light on the universal threads that tie humanity together, emphasizing our shared experiences and collective struggles for reference from Haiti to Sudan. This session will highlight the role of art as a powerful conduit for understanding, empathy, and social change, urging a collective effort to address global hardships.

Themes and Topics:

1. The Thread’s Identity: An exploration of the invisible connections that define the essence of humanity and influence our perceptions and interactions. This segment will reflect on how art captures these ethereal bonds and mirrors the complex nature of human existence.
2. Fragments of Time: A journey through the corridors of time where art serves as a historical record and a harbinger of future aspirations. This discussion will focus on how artists capture transient moments that speak to eternal truths and the enduring human spirit.
3. Global Challenges: A focused dialogue on the specific adversities faced by nations in conflict, discussing how these challenges are represented in contemporary art and what more can be done to support these communities through global solidarity and artistic engagement.

Format: The talk will feature a panel of distinguished artists, curators, and activists, each bringing a unique perspective on how art interacts with global challenges. The session will include a mix of presentations, panel discussions, and interactive Q&A sessions, allowing for dynamic engagement with the audience.

Impact Goals:

• To inspire empathy and a deeper understanding of global human conditions through the lens of art.
• To motivate action and support for regions facing crises by highlighting their struggles and resilience through artistic expressions.
• To strengthen the community of artists and attendees around a shared mission of advocacy and support for under-represented regions.

Conclusion: “Familiar Strangers” will not only serve as a reflective exploration of our interconnected lives but also as a call to action. It is an invitation to embrace the diversity of global cultures and to contribute to a more compassionate and understanding world through the arts.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Scott Galvin Community Center, 1600 Northeast 126th Street, North Miami, United States