‘Afrofeminism & Digital Arts’

The African continent and its dynamism when it comes to technological innovation are currently attracting the attention of large industrial groups and the media. In the shadow of the "startupper" – mythological product of Silicon Valley –, female figures are developing their own digital culture and coming up with other possible futures.

The Nest is an award-winning Kenyan artists collective founded in 2012, with a focus on visual arts, cinema, fashion and music. It has in the last few years gained international attention for its distinctive esthetic and its contemporary and urban perspective. Its short film This One Went To Market, directed by The Nest founder and filmmaker Jim Chuchu in 2017, is part of their latest mini-series We Need Prayers. The film pokes fun at the afro-futuristic craze in Europe and the fantasized imagery associated to young black women.

The screening will be followed by a debate on digital cultures and expressions developed by young women creatives and activists across Africa. With Dr. Akati Khasiani, writer and member of The Nest Collective, JepChumba, artist, activist and founder of African Digital Art et Marion Louisgrand, founder and director of Ker Thiossane in Dakar.

The discussion will be moderated by curator Oulimata Gueye.

Jepchumba is an artist, activist and founder of African Digital Art, a collective digital platform entirely dedicated to digital arts in Africa. Forbes considers her to be one of the twenty most powerful young female leaders in Africa and the Guardian counts her amongst the Top 25 most outstanding African women. Jepchumba travels the world to promote the growth of creative technology in Africa. Originally from Kenya, today she lives in South Africa.

In 2002, Marion Louisgrand founded Ker Thiossane, the first digital arts centre in Dakar, of which she is the director. This international lab for creation and reflection is dedicated to digital arts, new technologies and their applications in African towns.

The debate between the three participants will be moderated by Oulimata Gueye is a curator and co-commissioner of the "Afrocyberféminismes" conference cycle which took place at the Gaîté Lyrique in Paris between February and July 2018.

This event is part of Africa Week 2018, organised by the European Parliament’s Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D). Between 7 and 8 pm, a dinner reception will be organised by the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats and the Party of European Socialists (PES)-Women.