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Kinshasa Shines Brightly at Kin Graff 4: Part II

Kinshasa Shines Brightly at Kin Graff 4: Part II

Join the party today in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where the street art festival Kin Graff 4 brought many to celebrate the murals, the artists, and the festival itself with music, food, and dancing.

Today we see images of the artists and celebrants here in the municipality of Kinshasa called Bandal, which is short for Bandalungwa. It’s the hometown of many of this year’s artists and the site of many works from last year’s edition of Kin Graff. The musical event was called “Live Experience,” and photographer Martha Cooper tells us that there were “performers appearing on an outdoor stage which had been set up for the night.”

Crew Moyindo Tag Nation. Jonatemps, Enua Mata, Tata Nizzo, Mohamed Lisongo, and Ema Rangers. Kinshasa, Bandalungwa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)

It’s great to see so many people celebrating the arts and the positive role that they bring to a community. “White wooden boxes were placed near the stage for graffiti writers to paint live,” Martha tells us. “Many of the musicians were rappers. We heard that there were going to be BBoys dancing, but we didn’t stay late and don’t know whether that happened. There was an enthusiastic reception from the crowd who cheered and danced to the performers.”

Martha Cooper. Kin Graff 4. Kinshasa, Congo. (photo © Sally Levin)

Also, we show you some celebrants in fancy dress and creative costumery, some of the older murals, some of the new AIDS-themed artworks, and learn a little about Bonobos – which are found only here and are a celebrated part of the culture. We also speak here with Kin Graff director Yann Kwete, who tells us how he became interested in such a challenging project, and how difficult it is to mount such an event here. We ask him what his aspirations are for the festival and the people concerning graffiti, muralism, and the spirit of creativity that runs through the streets in Kinshasa.

Mro Mra. Kinshasa, Bandalungwa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)

Brooklyn Street Art: How did you come out with the idea of organizing Kin Graff in Congo and how many editions have you organized so far?
Yann Kwete: My passion is art and urban culture. In 2013 I met Sitou, a graffiti artist from Togo and we had the idea to create this graffiti festival in DR Congo 2013. This was the 1st edition. From there I continued the project by myself through my organization Culture Plus. I have done 4 editions so far including this one.

Kinshasa, Bandalungwa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)

BSA: How did you get to know the artists’ work and how did you find them to extend an invitation to participate?
YK: I traveled through Europe and Africa and went to an art fair and other graffiti festivals. That’s where I met some of the artists. Some were referred by the artists I knew, and some contacted me directly to participate in the festival.

Kinshasa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)

BSA: What are the biggest obstacles you need to conquer to organize the festival?
YK: The main obstacle, or challenge, I would say, is the financial aspect – as the government doesn’t really grant funds for the culture and arts in DR. Congo.  We need to be concerned with everything – from the traveling of the artists to the food, hotel, and visa application as well. One of the challenges encountered was also sponsorship and administration. This is completely different from the Occident or Canada and the US.

Martha Cooper at the Artist Workshop. French Institue. Kinshasa, Congo. (photo © Sally Levin)

BSA: Do you get support from the city? Logistical? Financial? If so does it comes from private business or from the government?
YK: This was the 2nd time I got the support of the city. That support is administrative, not financial – to be able to have access to murals throughout the city. Most of the financial support we receive comes from private businesses. This year we had the chance to get a big sponsor, Bracongo, who was able to support us financially. Logistically, we had support from Loop Colors who was able to provide materials for the artists. We got also received support from media through TV5, RFI, and France 24 for the marketing.

Aristote Meuble. Kinshasa, Bandalungwa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)

BSA: Are you a graffiti writer yourself?
YK: I’m not a graffiti writer but I studied at the Academy of Fine Arts here and have been an art lover ever since.

BSA: What are the aspirations of the graffiti writers when they come to the festival?
YK: It is based on their creativity, the theme of the festival, and their engagement through it.

BSA: Do you invite writers from many different cities and/or parts of the country?
YK: Mostly, I get local graffiti artists from Kinshasa and others are international. In the future, I will be able to have other artists coming from other cities to be part of the festival.

BSA: What’s the biggest satisfaction you get from organizing this festival?
YK: To show the world the beauty of arts and graffiti in our country, to develop the arts and culture in DR Congo. To teach and help young Congolese to become cultural administrators in DR Congo through their arts. My main goal is to promote art in DR. Congo and Africa.

Kinshasa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Tata Nizzo. Kinshasa, Bandalungwa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Tata Nizzo. Kinshasa, Bandalungwa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Tata Nizzo. Kinshasa, Bandalungwa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Tata Nizzo. Kinshasa, Bandalungwa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Bonobos. Lola ya Bonobo (“Paradise for Bonobos”). The only Bonobo sanctuary
in the world. Kinshasa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)

BONOBOS
Bonobos aren’t directly related to Kin-Graff but Martha says they deserve a mention because they are only found in the Democratic Republic of Congo. “Bonobos share 98.7 percent of DNA with humans making them our closest animal relative,” she says. “Adult bonobos are killed for their meat. Orphaned baby bonobos are adopted, raised and returned to the wild.”

They also show up in street art murals and elsewhere throughout Congolese society and The African Wildlife foundation says they are a critically endangered animal, with only 15,000 to 20,000 remaining. Author Jacqueline Conciatore, writing for the AWF website, also reports that they have non-procreative sex, just like humans. “They live in matriarchal groups and famously use sex as a social tool — to manage conflict and tension or even just say ‘hello.'”

Bonobos. Lola ya Bonobo (“Paradise for Bonobos”). The only Bonobo sanctuary
in the world. Kinshasa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Unidentified artist. Kinshasa, Bandalungwa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Breaking the chains! Unidentified artist. Kinshasa, Bandalungwa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Gaultier Mayemba. Kin Graff “Live Experience”. Kinshasa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Edenho Ntoya. Kin Graff “Live Experience”. Kinshasa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Bam’s. Kin Graff “Live Experience”. Kinshasa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Bam’s. Kinshasa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Unidentified artist. Kin Graff “Live Experience”. Kinshasa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Kin Graff “Live Experience”. Kinshasa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Kinshasa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Kin Graff “Live Experience”. Kinshasa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Carlitos. Kinshasa, Bandalungwa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)

Kinshasa Shines Brightly at Kin Graff 4: Part I

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Kinshasa Shines Brightly at Kin Graff 4: Part I

Kinshasa Shines Brightly at Kin Graff 4: Part I

In the first of a two-part posting, BSA takes you to the 17 million-strong Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to see one small street art festival with a lot of heart.

Kin-Graff4 is the fourth edition of this project spearheaded by artist and entrepreneur Yann Kwete, who invites local, national, and international artists to come for a week of painting and special events. This year the theme of the hand-painted mural festival was primarily related to health topics and social issues – as well as a tribute to some of Congo’s favorite musical performers.

Kin Graff Festival. Kinshasa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)

American photographer Martha Cooper traveled to the Congo with her cousin Sally for yet one more adventure. They both arrived home in New York with many stories to tell – mostly about how much they enjoyed the people they met there. “From portraits to complex lettering to entire murals, these guys are super talented,” Sally says.

There were 13+ artists (including one female) who first designed their graffiti pieces at a Kin-Graff workshop held at the French Institute of Kinshasa, Martha tells us. Many of the writers belong to Moyindo Tag Nation Crew @moyindo_tag_nation, so you may want to check them out.

Eliam Mupipi. Kin Graff Festival. Kinshasa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)

The two cousins spent most days dodging foot traffic through the congested streets, marveling at some people’s ability to balance all manner of goods on their heads while navigating with grace through the sometimes chaotic byways. When painting one main wall with brushes and ladders, participants at the festival told personal stories about what it is like to be an artist in this city, and introduced them to friends and family.

“This long wall was in a very central section of the Bandal Municipality with continuous car traffic and passers-by on foot,” Martha says, “A ditch ran parallel to the wall, and these dedicated writers leaped back and forth as they worked.”

We’ll interview Yann Kwete tomorrow for Part II, but please enjoy these Martha Cooper exclusives (and a few from Sally!) of Kin-Graff4 from Kinshasa for today. We begin with a full body condom being painted to remind passersby that safe sex is everyone’s responsibility.

Bam’s. Kin Graff Festival. Kinshasa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Edheno, Bam’s, and Niama Zomi. Kin Graff Festival. Kinshasa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Mohamed Lisongo. Kin Graff Festival. Kinshasa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Mohamed Lisongo, Rolly, and Le Noir. Kin Graff Festival. Kinshasa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Le Noir. Kin Graff Festival. Kinshasa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Nyamazomi Ekila Jean-Paul. Kin Graff Festival. Kinshasa, Congo. (photo © Sally Levin)
Dan Kasala. Kin Graff Festival. Kinshasa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Bam’s, Niama Zomi. Kin Graff Festival. Kinshasa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Dorcas Poba. Artist Workshop. French Institute. Kin Graff Festival. Kinshasa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Eliam Mupipi and Elie Made. Kin Graff Festival. Kinshasa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Elijah, Indekwe, Eliam Mupipi, Dorcas Poba. Kin Graff Festival. Kinshasa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Kin Graff Festival. Kinshasa, Congo. (photo © Sally Levin)
Yann Kwete, founder of Kin Graff Festival. Kinshasa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Bam’s, Edheno, Tigo, Lisongo, Jorkas, Smith, Omar, Dorcas, Indekwe, Pombo. Kin Graff Festival. Kinshasa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Kin Graff Festival. Kinshasa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Jonatemps. Kin Graff Festival. Kinshasa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Jonatemps. Portrait of Franco Luambo. He was a major figure in 20th-century Congolese music. Kin Graff Festival. Kinshasa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Shongokuu. Kin Graff Festival. Kinshasa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Jonatemps, Shongokuu. Kin Graff Festival. Kinshasa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Jonatemps. Portrait of Papa Wemba. Dubbed the “King of Rumba Rock”, he was one of the most popular musicians of his time in Africa. Kin Graff Festival. Kinshasa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Aboubakar Jeampy. Kin Graff Festival. Kinshasa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Aboubakar Jeampy and Emmanuel Kalart. Kin Graff Festival. Kinshasa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Dema One. Kin Graff Festival. Kinshasa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Aboubakar Jeampy and Emmanuel Kalart with Cousin Sally in the foreground. Kin Graff Festival. Kinshasa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)
Shongokuu and Gaultier Mayemba.He was a member of the seminal Congo music band TPOK Jazz. Portrait of Simaro Lutumba. Kin Graff Festival. Kinshasa, Congo. (photo © Martha Cooper)
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