ANIMAL at the Dapper museum until march 30th, 2008

In Africa, animals take the lead role in the myths, legends, tales, proverbs and riddles that are perpetuated and kept alive by the spoken arts. They are often depicted in the plastic arts, especially sculpture, but these visible representations are subtended by a complex and powerful symbolism. This can be seen at work in initiation ceremonies, propitiatory rituals, medical practices and acts of divination and witchcraft.

Sometimes combined with human features, the animal form provides a means of representing spirits that are theoretically invisible. Sculpture “gives flesh” to the presence that is being invoked. Depending on the highly diverse cultural and aesthetic canons to which we owe the exceptional wealth of African arts, this figuration may either be clearly naturalistic or more allusive, if not metaphorical. Composite, hybrid forms are frequent, sometimes stylised to the point of abstraction. No supernatural metamorphosis can be operated, however, unless complex rituals are performed, in which the sacrifice of a real animal plays a vital role.

In some societies, the members of a clan, who are all descended from a common ancestor, are forbidden to eat the meat of the animal whose name they bear and which is mentioned in their motto. This special relationship, cursorily dismissed as “totemic”, derives from the primordial role attributed to an emblematic animal – the role of apical ancestor of the lineage in mythical times and its subsequent perpetuator and protector. A fragment of this animal’s body, such as the tail, skin, claws, fangs or feathers, may be worn as an amulet or part of a costume, providing a tangible symbol of this link.

Drawing from the collections of major European museums and private citizens, as well as from its own holdings, the Musée Dapper has brought together some one hundred and forty works, including masks, statuettes, insignia and jewellery, in order to show how animals permeate the arts of sub-Saharan Africa in different forms, codes, symbols and metaphors.

Monkey
A wild animal pest, the monkey is regarded as a brush spirit and belongs to the pantheon of the Baule people of Côte d’Ivoire.

Anthropomorphic representations show it in the posture of receiving offerings. It puts in a more discreet appearance in the Kuyu culture (Congo) where, like other animals, it can be seen atop polychrome sculptures.

Crocodile
Lord of the aquatic world, the crocodile is particularly venerated by the Akan in the lagoon region of Côte d’Ivoire. Their famous goldsmiths often depict it in their gold filigree jewellery.


ANIMAL
From October 11th 2007 to march 30th 2008

Musée Dapper
www.dapper.com.fr
35 bis, rue Paul Valéry
75116 Paris

Tel. : 01 45 00 91 75
E-mail : dapper@dapper.com.fr

Open from 11am to 7pm
Closed on Tuesdays
Admission : 6 €
Metro
Line 2 - Victor Hugo metro station
Line 6 - Charles de Gaulle - Étoile or Kléber metro station
Line 1 - Argentine metro station

RER
Line A - Charles de Gaulle-Étoile station

Bus
Line 52 - Paul Valéry bus stop
Line 82 - Victor Hugo bus stop

Car parks
Avenue Foch : entrance at 8 avenue Foch
Place Victor Hugo : entrance at 80 avenue Victor Hugo