Present: Ebenezer Acquah, Juste Constant Onana Amougui, Paul-Henri Souvenir Assako Assako, Patrique deGraft-Yankson, Osuanyi Essel, Mary -Clare Akinyi Kidenda, Constanze Kirchner, Lize Kriel, Runette Kruger, Christian Römmelt, Avi Sooful, Bernadette Van Haute, Ernst Wagner
Apologies: Ruth Belinga, Jayne Otieno, Nicola Pauli [Stefan Eisenhofer, Suki Mwendwa]
Welcome
Avi Sooful welcomed all participants, proposing the agenda. The minutes of the last meeting were confirmed.
AI Conference in Nairobi in November
Mary -Clare Kidenda informed on the progress of subcommittees for the conference, providing updates on the call for papers (nearly 70 applications), the selection of keynote speakers, and the ongoing efforts to finalize the programme. She also provided a comprehensive overview of the event's budgeting and resource mobilization efforts, discussing registration fees, sponsorships, and potential financial support from various organizations.
Avi Sooful emphasized the importance of a strong presence of Panel members at the conference in Nairobi. Avi, Runette, Christian and Ernst are going to take part. Paul, Constant, Patrique and Ebenezer hope to be able to attend. Constanze, Lize and Bernadette are not available. Avi suggested a hybrid meeting of the Expert Panel during the conference, enabling the participation of members who are unable to attend.
Ernst Wagner suggested holding a practical workshop about AI for EVC members at the conference, including an exchange about the students’ experiences when preparing their contributions to the virtual exhibition. He also suggested launching the recent EVC book (1001 Ways of Seeing) and – hopefully – the documenta book series.
Virtual Exhibition
Ernst Wagner gave an overview of the virtual exhibition progress, focusing on the contributions from LABA Cameroon that are already online: https://explore-vc.org/en/galleries/subgalleries/ai-cameroon.html (not accessible to the public at the moment). He stressed the importance of giving information on the AI tools and the prompts used by the students in each case.
Constant Onana Amougui provided insights into the process of exploring AI in art creations with his group of LABA students. The group engaged in various activities, including watching a film about AI, receiving training on AI applications, and collaborating with professional artists using AI. Despite initial challenges, the group successfully created fashion design, interior design and art pieces using AI, providing a valuable learning experience for the students.
Runette Kruger will reconnect with the colleagues from DUT to ensure their participation.
Information Sharing
- ACASA-Conference
Paul Assako Assako, initiator and coordinator of EVC’s participation at the ACASA conference, summarized his experience. The presentations by EVC members (Paul, Avi, Mary- Clare, Ernst) covered diverse topics such as rewriting the visual, artistic collaboration, and internationalization of contemporary Afro-culture. The online participation offered a unique experience for the EVC team. The feedback reflected the positive impact of participating in the conference and the potential for future collaborations. Avi Sooful expressed gratitude to Paul for his role in promoting EVC at the ACASA conference. More information see: https://explore-vc.org/en/news/august-7-2024-evc-acasa.html
- Publication: Documenta books
Lize Kriel and Bernadette Van Haute shared updates on the progress of the publication of the four documenta books. In the meantime, Runette has joined the editorial team.
- Publication: 1001 Ways of Seeing
Ernst Wagner provided a background of the book and drew attention to the presentation at the Documenta Summer School 2022, given by our Japanese colleague, Nobumasa Kiyonaga. He presented the preparation of the book that has now been published. Bernadette Van Haute, the co-editor, presented an overview of the ten chapters contributed by people from different countries. The idea of the book is, to bring together different perspectives on visual literacy, and ways of seeing. It became an exciting publication that allows us to learn how people see differently in their respective contexts and how they teach it. The book is published with Waxman and should be ordered (not only) by the libraries of our universities. It will be launched in Nairobi at the conference.
- EVC Website / Newsletter
The website is generously hosted by the FAU University Erlangen-Nuremberg. Ernst Wagner addressed the technical challenges encountered during the migration of the EVC website. Unfortunately, some challenges remain unresolved, especially with the galleries section. There had been Copyright issues as well that have been attended to. The question, of whether EVC needs a newsletter (and a website) will be discussed at the next meeting in Nairobi.
- Cooperation with IoFC
Ernst presented a partnership opportunity with IoFC (Initiative of Change) for a project in Johannesburg in 2025, involving young artists exploring the intersection of art and social movement. It will be organized by Isadora Canela (Brazil) and Elsa Cuissard (France), and funded by IoFC. There will be a preparatory phase online, followed by an in-person residency in Johannesburg to allow research about art and social movement in the local context and prepare for a joint exhibition.
Avi provided additional context, mentioning discussions with Brendan Bell-Roberts and plans for the project's residency at Art Africa in Boksburg, South Africa. The discussion emphasized the political significance of the project's location and the potential for EVC to engage with the project. The panel supports the cooperation. Ernst Wagner and Avi Sooful will coordinate with Isadora and Elsa.
- ARAC
Runette Kruger asks about the status of cooperation with ARAC. Ernst Wagner informed us that he was in touch with David Andrew. ARAC was invited to contribute to the documenta book, reflecting their experiences at the exhibition in 2022.
Next face-to-face meeting
The next meeting is scheduled at the AI Conference in Nairobi in November. One important topic to be discussed will be the future of the website.