Tanzania debuts at 60th Venice Biennale with artists Happy Robert, Naby, Haji Chilonga, Lute Mwakisopile

The United Republic of Tanzania participates for the first time in the Venice Biennale, presenting a pavilion at Calle del Forno 3857 in Venice from 20 April to 24 November 2024. Artists Happy Robert, Naby, Haji Chilonga, and Lutengano Mwakisopile represent the nation under curator Enrico Bittoto. Their project, 'A flight in reverse mirrors,' traces Tanzania's transition from colonization to decolonization, aligning with the vision of Central Pavilion curator Adriano Pedrosa. Bittoto emphasizes the global historical-anthropological perspective essential for presenting Tanzania's evolving art scene, which has developed autonomously over the last decade. For the artists, the Biennale offers unprecedented visibility and career opportunities, with Mwakisopile comparing it to a national football team entering the World Cup. Individual contributions include Mwakisopile's portrait of a Tanzanian chief who resisted German colonization and Naby's project involving a creature traveling to the moon. The artists cite diverse influences, from Dutch artist Maurits Escher and wildlife painter David Shepherd to Franz Marc and Italian Futurists. They recommend visitors to Tanzania explore national museums, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, and Mount Kilimanjaro to understand the nation's culture. Bittoto notes the Biennale's enduring importance for artistic careers while cautioning against art reduced to spectacle, advocating for projects that are useful, lively, and pedagogical.