December 20th, 2022 marks an important date in the debate on the restitution of looted artifacts from colonial contexts. A delegation of German state representatives and museum directors officially restituted Benin Bronzes to Nigeria. In August Oxford University and Cambridge University announced their intention to return over 200 Benin Bronzes to Nigeria. Following a long history of demands from African activists, artists, governments and scholars, the West appears to be changing its position towards repatriating looted African artefacts, Wale Lawal states in the current issue of Nigerian Republic magazine. But what’s next?
The recent discourse on restitution sheds light on numerous voids and raises many (old) questions: What does restitution mean beyond the return of looted artefacts? Do we need to “decolonize” European notions of Restitution? Into which contexts do the objects return? How can objects be (re)integrated into communities? How do they withstand the ethnological gaze? What kind of museums are needed, what kind of spaces for the imagination of possible futures? In what ways can communities be engaged in that process? What is needed to make the debate more accessible?
Also: What role do international NGOs play in this process? How important are collaborations between institutions within Nigeria and beyond? How can debates from other African countries be implemented into Nigerian discussions? What role does the Diaspora play?
Just like the previous episodes UNEXPECTED LESSONS #4 addresses the theme of decolonization. In the light of the most recent returns of Benin Bronzes from Germany to Nigeria they focus on the topic of restitution. UNEXPECTED LESSONS #04 will be organized by Dr. Mahret Ifeoma Kupka during her residency at the G.A.S. Foundation in Lagos Nigeria, as part of TURN 2 – Kulturstiftung des Bundes. UL #4 is supported by the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung in Nigeria and The Republic Journal.
Panel 01: Beyond Restitution – Rooms for possible Futures
moderated by Wale Lawal (Editor in Chief, The Republic, Lagos)
with Femi Johnson (Director, Producer, Digital Heritage Specialist EMOWAA), Sarafadeen Bello (Artist, former G.A.S. Foundation resident, Lagos), Dr. Oluwatoyin Sogbesan (Cultural historian, Architect and Museologist)
Panel 02: Beyond Restitution – transnational collaborations and allyship
moderated by Tracian Meikle (Curator in residence, The Treehouse, Lagos) with Brenda Fashugba (Head of arts, British Council, Lagos), Olufisayo Bakare (Freelance Curator, Lagos), Matthew Blaise (Activist, Founder Obodo, Lagos).
With performances by Ayomide Fasedu and Tolulope Ami-Williams
Screening of films by Femi Johnson and Ariella Aïsha Azoulay
A video recording will be available soon.