In a time where Nigeria’s cultural landscape is more dynamic than ever, ART X Live! stands as a vibrant testament to the country’s creative innovation and spirit. A unique concert experience blending music, visual art and live performance, this year's event promises an unforgettable exploration into Nigeria's rich musical heritage – artfully bridging its past, present, and future through a tapestry of genre-defying sounds and styles.
At the helm of this year’s festivities are curators Lanre Masha and Ayo Lawson. Against the backdrop of ART X Lagos 2024: Promised Lands, their vision will help to illuminate the trailblazers and tastemakers transforming Nigeria, both sonically and visually. With creative direction from visual artist Niyi Okeowo and more artists to be announced, ART X Live! sets the stage for its biggest and best edition yet.
Q:
How would you describe your curatorial approach in four words or less?
LANRE:
Reflective of the times.
AYO:
Like a Marvel film.
Q:
What’s your favourite thing about ART X LIVE!?
LANRE:
I love ART X Live! for the fact of the type of people that go, the creative intellectuals. It’s where the people who just want more go – more out of music, more out of art or more out of Lagos itself.
AYO:
The fact that it’s quite intimate makes it freeing for both the performers and audience goers. One thing that you’re gonna take away from ART X Live! is the vibe. People love the music, they love the sound. Credit to Lanre on that, the quality is always impeccable.
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Q:
Can you speak a little more on the vision behind the platform?
LANRE:
ART X Live! is ART X Lagos’ flagship platform for expression and experimentation. It’s a space where art and music intersect. What we saw was a gap in the market for artists to get a stage to really showcase their live talent.
AYO:
We see ourselves as putting people on, as educating. We’ve had so many artists perform: Lady Donli, Obongjayar, Teni the Entertainer. All of whom have continued to do huge things. At ART X Live!, someone might come for one artist and end up loving two more when they leave.
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Q:
What does ‘Promised Lands’ mean to you? And how do you see the theme coming to life at ART X Live! this year?
AYO:
A world where we decide what we want Nigeria to look like. Promised Lands opens your mind to so many possibilities. Imagine the wildest dream of what Naija could be. For us, it’s kind of a fusion of the past and the new. It’s eclectic – psychedelic in look, futuristic in feel. It’s what the ideal Nigeria could be.
Q:
How do you view the role of the curator at ART X LIVE! and beyond?
LANRE:
They are cultural mediators and interpreters. They serve as a bridge between the audience and the artist, the art and the public. They understand the artist to the point where they are able to identify the artist that is relevant for today’s time, or this current moment, event or presentation. Curators are essentially the purveyors of cool, and tastemakers in their own right.
AYO:
Someone who thinks about the bigger picture, the overarching experience – whether it be an exhibition or a concert. From the lights, to the performers, to the stage design and sound. There’s a look and a feel to everything. A surprise factor. Personally, I like to keep the audience guessing on the night, and talking about the show long after. Everything goes into making it memorable.
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Q:
And how is ART X LIVE! building a new vision for Nigeria?
AYO:
One thing we’ve always tried to focus on is being an accelerator for artists. We work with artists who don't often get a wide platform in Nigeria to exhibit their work. The way the digital world is going, that kind of discovery is gonna be around forever. We can really grow with that. It means we’re always gonna be at the forefront of history.