Mariam Issoufou Kamara Chosen to Design New Museum and Center for Culture and Community in West Senegal

Bët-bi’s design is inspired by the people who have lived and worked in this part of Senegal since the 11th century, and are known for their spiritual connection to the land and natural elements such as the sun, wind, and water. The museum will display contemporary and historic African art, and celebrate the cultures of sub-Saharan Africa. Art will be its focal point and will offer a dedicated education programme with a variety of initiatives aimed at engaging local and national communities with art from all corners of the globe. The museum aims to play an important role in the global initiatives to facilitate and secure the return of objects of West-African origin. A temporary space will be dedicated for repatriated African objects, highlighting the return of African art to the continent of its creation.

Atelier masōmī is planning to collaborate with local artisans, ensuring that the project offers an an exchange of knowledge and expertise by local professionals. The museum also intends to partner with a range of institutions in Africa and overseas to facilitate internship and guest curator programs. 

We approached this project through a look back at the site’s past. We looked at the history of the Saloum Kingdom very closely and have been absolutely fascinated by its origin story, as a place jointly founded by the Serer and the Mandinka people. The latter are historically also a people from the Mali empire who are known for their monumental architecture. As museums and galleries are a product of our more recent past, it is important for me that the project serves as a bold imperative to continue the recent dialogue around rethinking the typology in order to explore new spatial languages around museums. — Mariam Issoufou Kamara