Signals & Stats : Daily Signals

Design Africa

Germany – A new exhibition at the Vitra Design Museum is focusing on Africa’s new generation of entrepreneurs, thinkers and designers.

Rapidly rising number of mobile users opening portal to the continent, fuelling a change in perspective
Exhibition is accompanied by first comprehensive overview of African contemporary design

Vigilism by Olalekan Jeyifous at the Making Africa Exhbition, The Vitra Design Museum, Germany

The Studio of Vanities by Omar Victor Diop at the Making Africa Exhbition, The Vitra Design Museum, Germany

Excuse me while I disappear by Michael MacGarry at the Making Africa Exhbition, The Vitra Design Museum, Germany

‘When the African boom comes up in the media, reports tend to focus on the continent’s rapid economic growth or the expanding middle classes,’ say the exhibition’s organisers. ‘Making Africa – A Continent of Contemporary Design illustrates how design accompanies and fuels economic and political changes on the continent.’ Digitally native African designers are using the new platforms for exposure afforded by mobile to shed light on a continent that is a hub of experimentation. Curated by Amelie Klein, along with consulting curator Okwui Enwezor, the exhibition will present the works of more than 120 artists and designers, including the architecture of Francis Kéré, animation art by Robin Rhode and photography by Mário Macilau.

The Big Picture: Mobile platforms are enabling New Emerging Affluents to gain control of their global voice and to be recognised in an online world.