The Ivory Coast is full of artists of quality by the specificity of their writing and the diversity of their styles. Luminaries who in the end, face many financial problems if they decide that live from their art.
Michel Kodjo, Youssouf Bath, Augustin Kassi Kadio James Hurrah, Monébou, Jacobleu, Essoh N'Guessan, Theodore Koudougnon, Sossa Kouassi, Mathilde Moro ..., names more or less known to the general public. And yet they do useful work in our society by their respective styles. Solo and grouped, openings abroad, participation in workshops and open studios, these artists are the pride of the Côte d'Ivoire artistic worldwide. And the mere mention of their names arouses admiration and respect. But beside the reputation they have, many authors fail to live from their art. On the question, the one who made the first solo exhibition of works of art in Côte d'Ivoire, Michel Kodjo, is clear: "no one eats in Côte d'Ivoire of its works." The dean of the painters, the sad reality is the result of the artistic policy at the highest state level. "Authorities believe it is for us as we paint. They believe that the promotion of art is to enrich ourselves, "he says indignantly. "Physically, I'm negative. It the little money I receive as a pension which allows me to live, "he says. European tourists on whom he could count on to sell some works are scarce in Grand-Bassam, where he lives, since the 2002 crisis.
It does not create money
The artist translates the subjects he sees or imagines it on canvas, wood, glass, cardboard etc.. Thus, it is a criticism of our customs. Necessarily disturbing. This reflects that Michael Kodjo is convinced of one thing: an artist does not create money. "The meaning of art is the basis of humanity. It is culture that develops the elements of a civilization. True art nourishes the mind, debases mercantile, he encourages himself. Soro Zana, president of the Association of Visual Artists of Côte d'Ivoire (APLAC), less a philosopher than Kodjo, the painter of Grand-Bassam, acknowledged the difficulty to live only for creating tables. What makes the opening on the teaching offered to artists after their training, a pledge. "After studying at the Beaux-Arts education is a financial guarantee" he admits. For him, if there are statistics to only 2% of Ivorian artists can afford to live in their creation. Joseph Koffi, gallery owner, sees it another way. He thinks that many designers lack confidence in them. "An artist can have talent and do not believe it. Therefore, it looks for other resources and content with her salary. He can not, at this moment to pass data to produce academic and earn money, "he argues.
When the artist wants to do everything
All creation is for sale. To do this, the more we create, the more you earn enough money. For Joseph Koffi, "the designer must design and laissez-faire. That is to say the opportunity for sales professionals to enhance the work on the market. "We can not be creator and seller. We must separate the two. Anyone who tried to do, have had problems, "he says. This criticism relates generally to the pioneers. The gallery maintains that the listing of an artist comes from his participation in workshops, open studios, solo and grouped in prestigious locations. At the time, the show''Coup gun''of the hotel ivory was the reference in the matter. Soro Zana became convinced that it is difficult for an artist to make a single class or have a good rating. And another: "The Picasso today do not have the same value as the lifetime of the author. Van Gogh paintings exchanged cons of bread. While they are assessed, these days, hundreds of millions. " Where a call for cultural managers in Côte d'Ivoire to enhance production of national creation. "This is the name that sells, not the product, support Youssouf Bath, a of the finest brushes Côte d'Ivoire, resident Dabou. For him, the promotion of Ivorian stars must pass through the creation of a museum of contemporary art. "The state, which organizes exhibitions and selects the best works to conserve," said the painter. "But he regrets, the guarantors of the Ministry of Culture did not even care about." At promoting Ivorian culture to the outside, there are few patrons. The most active to date, is Professor Yacouba Konate, gallery and art critic, which allows artists to exhibit in Europe. Locally, some galleries are able to bring out young talent. This is the case Houkami Design, initiator of the Grand Prix Guy Nairay creativity. But trying too hard to sell, it runs the risk not to practice the art to become artisans.
From art to crafts, a short step
Some paintings by Ivorian trade on millions of CFA francs. A Augustin Kassi or Hooray James Kadio not reflected at all corners. "I do not produce more than three paintings per year. I have paintings that I started years ago that are not completed. When I get to do it, it is not tens of thousands that I sell, "says Augustin Kassi. Strong demand and the scarcity of an author's works is reflected on the purchase price. In turn, the abundance of paintings by an author devalues them. According to Youssouf Bath, a painting is unique. What is telling to Michel Kodjo that: "Every mode of expression is not art." And continue, "Lying is fine, the truth is beautiful. The man is lying. Many things that result, are false, the copy ". The reproduction of works of visual style and gangrene as the world of painting. Up to place the bottom of the table forged the name of a famous author. So, can we find the Michel Kodjo, Mathilde Moro or Sossa Kouassi to 10,000 CFA francs at a crossroads of Abidjan. A situation that gnaws the real creators, condemned to always find other activities to have a decent standard of living.
Sanou A.
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