Morad Montazami has been appointed as the artistic director for the sixteenth edition of the Dak’Art Biennial, scheduled to run from November 19 to December 19. Titled "(Anti)Fragility: Arts of Repair and Counter-Shock Strategies," the upcoming biennial will focus on themes of community, co-creation, and the transformation of vulnerability into artistic strength. Montazami, an esteemed art historian and curator known for his work on global modernism and postcolonial narratives, brings extensive experience from previous roles at Tate Modern and various international exhibitions.
This appointment is a significant step for Africa’s longest-running contemporary art event as it seeks to stabilize following the six-month postponement of its 2024 edition due to political unrest in Senegal. By selecting a director with deep expertise in Arab, African, and Asian modernism, the biennial reinforces its commitment to challenging Western-centric art canons. The theme of "repair" is particularly timely, reflecting both the institutional need for recovery and a broader cultural dialogue regarding post-petroleum histories and decolonization.