THE VIBE AT THE MACAAL

By Nii B. Andrews

There is always this feeling of personal exhilaration when I visit an institution in Africa that is world class.

Whether this happens often or not, I shall leave that question unanswered for now.

But certainly, the MACAAL is one such incredible place!

The architecture is inspiring and site appropriate; the environment spotless and exemplary; the staff friendly and thoroughly professional; and the art – simply wicked.

This private museum was built to exhibit the extensive contemporary African art (CAA) collection of Alami and Othman Lazraq.

It comprises 900 sqm of interior exhibition space and 1040 sqm of manicured garden.

The stated mission of the MACAAL is to disseminate, educate, and popularise art within Africa, namely among younger audiences in the belief that culture is a shared asset that can be an outstanding lever for development.

The just ended exhibition, “E-Mois” was curated by Othman Lazraq and Meriem Barrada.

The focus of E-Mois was to explore and analyse the history and development of the museum’s collection over the last forty years; there was also an emphasis on how the individual works in the collection are related.

On the ground floor were the earliest works in the collection. These comprised the major artists in modern Moroccan art – Ahmed Cherkaoui, Hassan El Glaoui and others.

On the first floor were works by later Moroccan artists and a large selection of other African artists such as Soly Cissé, Cheri Samba, Lovemore Kambudzi, George Lilanga, Cyprien Tokoudagaba and Gonçalo Mabunda.

The exhibition succeeded in charting an autobiographical development of the collection.

It progressed from mainly figurative paintings by local artists to the abstract flourishes, surreal impulses and conceptual excursions of artists from all over the continent.

The arresting visual presence of the pieces even within the stunning interior architecture of the MACAAL was a testament to their artistic quality.

The MACAAL has an innovative and successful program that reaches out into the city and adjoining villages to invite and make itself accessible to groups not usually drawn to art galleries and museums….taxi drivers, housekeepers, ground staff, small scale farmers and petty traders.

These groups have responded with enthusiasm and have been visiting with their children – a situation that augurs well for the growth and sustenance of CAA.

There is also a magnificent sculpture garden on the grounds of the MACAAL in addition to a well stocked gift shop and café.

ARTcapital Ghana congratulates the Lazraq family for its vision and philanthropy; it is a glowing testament to the resilience and dignity of the authentic African tradition.

Artists and art lovers all over the world owe them an eternal debt of gratitude.

What they have done is awesome – absolutely fabulous.

MACAAL exhibition director, Ms. Janine Gaëlle Dieudji (middle) with NBA and Ms. Damali of ARTcapital Ghana at the museum, 2018. In the background is a piece by Gonçalo Mabunda.

We eagerly anticipate the MACAAL’s next exhibition which will coincide with the debut of the 1:54 Fair in Africa scheduled for the last week of February 2018.

We are certain that it will be another tour de force.

The MACAAL has a wonderful vibe.

Long live the MACAAL!