Meaningful Connections for These Times

Abuja Open House, the federal capital’s flagship art event, breaks new ground with a strategic date change, unleashing a fresh wave of creative expression and innovation. Okechukwu Uwaezuoke writes 

Quite remarkably, Abuja Open House, the resplendent annual art extravaganza, has pulled off a stunning calendrical sleight of hand this year—a daring departure from the status quo! In a bold stroke, the organisers have shattered the shackles of tradition, pushing the dates forward by one month—from the usual October 26 to 30 schedule to November 28 to December 1. But the question is: would this strategic shift yield a more auspicious outcome? Only time (and the art world’s cognoscenti) will tell, but one thing’s certain: Abuja Open House has just become the most anticipated art event of the season.

Under the current circumstances, this federal capital city’s four-day gallery-hopping odyssey will be greatly poised to reap significant benefits from its new dates, having sidestepped potential clashes with prominent art festivals in Enugu and Lagos. By yielding to the whims of necessity, this shift in its dates enables it to command greater attention from the art community.

Of course, this year’s deft creative calibration also attests to the organisers’ adaptability and savvy. As expected, this scheduling convenience brings a symphony of benefits, including increased foot traffic, heightened engagement, and an art community abuzz with anticipation. Now, aficionados no longer torn between attending multiple festivals can indulge in the federal capital city’s vibrant visual feast without distraction. 

Then the fact that this year’s installment, as the fourth, seeks to consolidate on the gains of the previous ones by exploring signs and meanings is affirmed by its theme,  “Semiotic Connections.” A further elaboration of this theme du jour suggests that it wraps a rich mosaic, interlacing the threads of Abuja’s cultural DNA. The past, present, and future converge, illuminating growth trajectories and birthing novel opportunities for artistic expression. Analytical thinking meets creative genius as contemporary art practice is redefined. The result? A kaleidoscope of perspectives, refracting the essence of the city’s cultural landscape.

Every previous iteration of the Abuja Open House, also known by its abbreviation AOH, signifies a pivotal moment of growth, marked by discovery, sharing, and learning. As the organisers note, this progression forms a triangle of creative excellence. Analogous to a pyramid, the AOH establishes a solid foundation, converging and synchronising the framework that explores Abuja’s creative spaces, connects creatives, and encourages fervent art consumption.

None of these activities, meanwhile, operates outside the ambit of the International Institute for Creative Development (also known as the IICD Center), which collaborates with the U.S. Embassy. Founded in 2010 as a direct offshoot of the Ford Foundation’s mentorship programme, the IICD has significantly contributed to developing future cultural managers in Nigeria. Recently, it has played a pivotal role behind the scenes in positioning Abuja’s art scene as a distinct cultural identity.

“Abuja may appear soulless from afar, as many have described it in the past,” explained Ndubuisi Nduwhite Ahanonu, who co-founded the IICD Center alongside the late Harrison Ikibah, in an earlier interview. “However, deconstructing this psychological stereotype is part of the IICD Center’s mission. Our distinct approach operates as an open, thematic, experimental art space, integrating pedagogical and creative processes within the industry.” 

Besides repositioning the ideology and creative narratives of Abuja’s art scene, the centre operates an international artists’ residency programme, fostering innovative synergies and creative collaborations.

As its brainchild, the AOH, in keeping with its tradition, offers a rich cultural buffet, nurturing a deeper appreciation of art and inspiring collective exploration. Through curated conversations with visionary speakers and thematic exhibitions featuring talented contemporary artists, this vibrant platform empowers the community to engage with art on a profound level. As a demonstration of its transformative impact, it has instilled confidence in creatives and fuelled the city’s art ecosystem, encouraging innovative initiatives and contributing to Abuja’s artistic growth.

The 2024 edition unfolds with a private opening and art exhibition, titled Synchronicity, on Thursday, November 28, at 5 pm, which will be hosted by the Nordic Villa, Abuja.

The following day, Friday, November 29, kicks off with an opening conference at 9 am at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, followed by a digital art exhibition, titled Tech and Hospitality, at 1 pm. In the evening, an art exhibition will take place at 6 pm at the Atrium Gallery, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Headquarters.

On Saturday, November 30, an artists talk titled “The Artist, the Curator, the Gallery, and the Collector” will be held in collaboration with Treasures4Life AGH at 11 a.m. Later that day, another art exhibition will open at 6 p.m. at Moeshen Gallery.

The event concludes with a closing ceremony, an Abuja Open House Prize announcement, and an art exhibition titled Ways of Seeing on Sunday, December 1, at Fraser Suites, Abuja. 

This year’s edition features an exceptional lineup of talented artists. Behnaz Chahkandi and Yetonyon Nunayon Taiwo exhibit their works at the Atrium Gallery, while Philip Adaramola, Michael Osa-Afiana, Umi-Amara Ibrahim, Safiya Adam, and Sadiq Suleiman display their creative genius at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel. The Fraser Suites group salon exhibition brings together an impressive collective of Luke Osaro, Ogunleye Adeleke, Franklyn Enebeli, Ayooluwa Akinrinola, and Abdul-quadr Olamide Ojelade, offering a diverse and captivating display of artistic expression. Chinedu Chidebe’s solo exhibition at the Nordic Villa presents an intimate and thought-provoking experience where art and emotion entwine. 

All this will be preceded on Wednesday, November 27 from 10 a.m. to noon by an exclusive by-invitation-only curtain-raiser event at the US Embassy, where speakers will base their talks on the topic: Art as a Tool for Diplomacy and The Role of Cultural Diplomacy in Shaping Global Society.

As the federal capital’s leading visual arts event, Abuja Open House has consistently animated 22 venues over four days, cementing its position among the nation’s top cultural events. Previously mooted plans to extend its activities to underserved populations deserve serious consideration.