The major exhibition LOBI LOBI presents the work of internationally renowned contemporary artist Pascale Marthine Tayou, its accompanying children’s exhibit BOBO LAND, and the group show Comic Craze Vol. 3 celebrates the art of Arabic comics and Japanese anime

Cultural Foundation, managed by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, will organise three remarkable new exhibitions starting 3 May 2023, Pascale Marthine Tayou’s major show LOBI LOBI, its accompanying children’s exhibit BOBO LAND, and Comic Craze Vol. 3 which celebrates the rich history of Arabic comics and beloved Japanese anime.

The flagship exhibition LOBI LOBI: Pascale Marthine Tayou, which is named after the artist’s poem LOBI LOBI (2020), seeks to evoke the parallel and cyclical realities of Tayou’s practice that transcend time and territories. Featuring sculptures, mixed media, installation, poetry, and photography, the exhibition highlights the rich paradoxes of consumer and material cultures in the artist’s reformulation of his visual environment.

LOBI LOBI is divided into four sections that follow Tayou’s multiplicities of object and language as he navigates human ecologies:

The Margin to the Centre explores Tayou’s artistic process by which he seeks to reconfigure everyday objects into living testaments of our environmental damage, and global histories. Through a tornado of colourful aluminum pieces, the artist invites an overwhelming sense of both amusement and loss.

Power Vessels showcases the artist’s contemporary crystal sculptures, which reinterpret west-central African sculptural figures. By embellishing his glass sculptures and masks in everyday found objects, he creates his own personalised authenticity in each of them, resulting in new depositaries of history.

Fantasia Urbaine demonstrates Tayou’s take on the spiritual meaning of continuity and healing, leading to new interpretations of material and an impactful exchange between community nature and the environment. This section also features a video installation of the artist’s Fantasia Urbaine, a parade he organised in 2007 to celebrate Cameroon’s street vendors.

Playing Field highlights a collection of intricately patterned chalk paintings inspired by the traditional West African prints. As a powerful communication tool in the classroom, these works also symbolise the fragility of knowledge as they reveal the colonial history of education in Cameroon.

The accompanying children-focused exhibit BOBO LAND: Pascale Marthine Tayou leads young visitors into an exploration of the self through the eyes of ‘Bobo,’ Tayou’s persona of a dreaming child discovering and inventing their future. Through a series of interactive and engaging installations, children will actively take part in a dream where they will play and get the chance to reinvent who they are, what they want to be, and what they will become. 

The exhibitions are curated by members of the Culture Sector at DCT Abu Dhabi, curators Maisa Al Qassimi, Noor Almehairbi and Reem AlHashmi.

Comic Craze sheds light the evolution in style and content of Arabic comics and satirical cartoons from the 1800s to the present day. Featuring the creations of 49 UAE-based artists, visitors can explore creative illustration and animation ranging from historical comic magazines to popular Japanese anime productions that were dubbed into Arabic in the 1980s. The impact of such productions extended beyond providing entertaining narratives for children; their content is rich with deep humanitarian messaging and engaging soundtracks that continue to echo among generations from the Arab world.

Visitors will get the chance to meet new characters and protagonists inspired by modern local culture. Comic Craze also includes interactive elements such as screens broadcasting nostalgic cartoon theme songs, character figurines, and a photo booth equipped with comic props.

The exhibition is curated by members of the Culture Sector at DCT Abu Dhabi, curator Sumayya Al Suwaidi, and assistant curator Aysha Al Aseeri.

Reem Fadda, Director of Cultural Foundation, said: “As Cultural Foundation continues to harness the power of art to bring cultures and communities together, our latest must-see exhibitions offer audiences the chance to explore contemporary cultural expression and embrace diverse perspectives and artistic outlooks. LOBI LOBI and BOBO LAND represent deep explorations of dreams and confront challenges between the past, present and future, in ways that engage audiences of all ages, while Comic Craze celebrates illustrated treasures and pop culture icons which are rooted in the collective memory of generations.”

An artist talk with Pascale Marthine Tayou will be held on 4 May 2023, kicking off a public programme of workshops and events relating to the exhibitions, further details of which will be announced at a later date.

Cultural Foundation is open from Saturday to Thursday from 9 am to 8 pm, and on Fridays from 2 pm to 8 pm. For more information, visit culturalfoundation.ae.