‘Bozar all over the P(a)lace - Nocturne June’

Enjoy a flamboyant evening at the last Bozar all over the P(a)lace of the season, developed around the exhibition When We See Us. At the heart of this late opening is the performance Black Indians by visual artist and choreographer Smaïl Kanouté, a parade inspired by the cultural heritage of New Orleans combining dance and music. Film screenings, a DJ set and guided tours round off the evening, which celebrates black joy through living traditions.

Performance: Black Indians by Smaïl Kanouté

During a residency in New Orleans, Smaïl Kanouté met the Yellow Pocahontas Hunters, a legendary community of Black Indians, who invited him to parade with them on Super Sunday. This one hundred and fifty year old African-American tradition recalls the way in which Native Americans welcomed freed slaves during the slave trade. While the songs mix Native American languages, Creole and English, and take on the codes of hip-hop, rap and blues, the parades are also a moment of reconnection with the community's African roots.

Inducted as a “Chief Scout” by Big Chief Darryl Montana and Big Queen Dianne Honoré, Smaïl Kanouté is extending this exchange by inviting the Black Indians, Queen Renée Gosman of the Yellow Pocahontas and Flag Boy Marwan of the Golden Eagles, and by collaborating with Julien Colardelle of Souffle collectif, a group of musicians who share a taste for improvisation mixed with traditions of Creole, European, Senegalese and Afro-Brazilian influence. This creation echoes the parades of the Black Indians in New Orleans.

Together they invent a captivating performance that blends song, music and dance, celebrating resilience and cultural heritage.

With Jorge Bezerra, Marion Cha, Senny Camara, Dramane Dembélé, Sylvain Rabourdin & Queen Renée Gusman of the Yellow Pocahontas and Flag Boy Marwan of the Golden Eagles.

Film: Black Indians (documentary)

The documentary film directed by Smaïl Kanouté tells the story of a captivating artistic work, immersing us in an ancestral Afro-American tradition and handing it down further to future generations.

Exhibitions: When We See Us and Familiar Strangers

The major exhibition When We See Us explores a century of pan-African figurative painting, particularly through the prism of black joy. With more than 150 works by 120 artists, it offers an original look at black self-representation, between resistance and celebration.

Familiar Strangers is a contemporary art exhibition that presents recent developments in Eastern Europe in the context of Poland.

+ Sofa Session #5​​​​​​​

The same evening, Bozar invites Sammy Baloji and Marie Umuhoza to take part in a discussion inspired by the exhibition When We See Us and to explore the theme of Triumph and Emancipation in relation to their artistic practices. This event requires a separate ticket from the late opening, but it’s perfectly possible to attend both!

DJ Set

Brussels-based DJ collective 21AM will provide the evening's musical entertainment. Cuuurtis will conclude the evening with a DJ set.

This event is dedicated to the loving memory of Koyo Kouoh, curator of When We See Us exhibition, director of Zeitz MOCAA, who recently passed away.

PROGRAMME
18:00 → 00:00 
Exhibitions open : When We See Us and Familiar Strangers

• Where : Horta Hall

18:00 → 19:00 
When We See Us sign language guided tour

• Where: Exhibition space

18:30 → 20:30 
Standing Guides When We See Us

• Where: Exhibition space

19:00 → 20:00 
Sofa Session : Sammy Baloji x Marie Umuhoza (seperate ticket) 

• Where: Rotunda Bertouille

20:00 → 20:30 
Screening YELLOW POCAHONTAS / BLACK INDIANS + intro by director Smaïl Kanouté

• Where: The 23

20:30 → 23:30 
Screening YELLOW POCAHONTAS / BLACK INDIANS (short)

• Where: The 23 

21:00 → 22:00 
Black Indians performance with Smaïl Kanouté, Senny Camara, Dramane Dembélé, Jorge Bezerra, Sylvain Rabourdin, Marion Cha, Queen Renee from Yellow Pocahontas and Flag Boy Marwan from Golden Eagles. 

• Where: Horta Hall

​​​​​​​22:00 → 00:00 
DJ set by Cuuurtis (21AM)

• Where: Horta Hall

A bar remains open throughout the night. Please note that drinks are not permitted in the exhibition area or in The 23.