In 1977, thousands of artists, writers, and musicians from Africa and its diaspora descended on Lagos, Nigeria for the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC ’77).

Can a past that the present has not yet caught up with be summoned to haunt the present as an alternative? What is important here is not the reiteration of the actual past, but the persistence of what never actually happened, but might have.

Over a two-year research, exhibition and publishing project, we are investigating the legacy of FESTAC ’77, as well as presenting an opportunity for contemporary African creators to engage with its history

The first public presentation will be at San Francisco Public Library from May 24 – June 29 2014.

For more information: chimurengalibrary/festac-77