A UNIQUE GATHERING OF ARTISTS, ART COLLECTORS AND GLOBAL CHANGEMAKERS
You are invited to the inaugural Arete Annual social symposium - an exclusive, intimate and immersive experience
September 13 - 15, 2024
Lomé, Togo
Goal
The Arete Annual at the Palais de Lomé is an exclusive event for global philanthropists and art collectors to connect directly with established and emerging artists and environment changemakers who, individually and collectively, inspire us.
The proceeds of this event support art institutions and initiatives across Africa that are working on environmental issues.
Philosophy
Art engages our deepest selves and can awaken our full humanity - our empathy, our creativity - to address the complex and existential dual crises of climate change and loss of biodiversity.
The Arete Annual at the Palais de Lomé is an exclusive event for global philanthropists and art collectors to connect directly with established and emerging artists and environment changemakers who, individually and collectively, inspire us.
The proceeds of this event support art institutions and initiatives across Africa that are working on environmental issues.
Art engages our deepest selves and can awaken our full humanity - our empathy, our creativity - to address the complex and existential dual crises of climate change and loss of biodiversity.
LET'S GO TO TOGO
Togo is a West African gem that provides a bit of an unexpected entry into a dynamic art community. The Palais provides a special and private setting to connect art enthusiasts from Lagos to London, Singapore to Senegal, Nairobi to New York, Paris to Peru.
From the moment you step off the plane at Lomé airport to the time you leave, you will experience the warmth of your hosts - and the incredible intersection of diverse culture, history discourse and art that Lomé offers.
Chartered flights available
PROGRAMME OVERVIEW
ARRIVAL DAY
THURSDAY
12 SEPTEMBER
You will be greeted upon arrival and escorted to the 2 Fevrier Hotel, a 25 minute drive from the airport. After settling in, your dedicated host will discuss the programme options and tailor the itinerary for the next three days based on your interests.
You can enjoy a welcoming drink with other guests and dine at any of the restaurants in the hotel or venture out with your host to explore Lomé restaurants.
Note, Togo is a French speaking country and the event will be held in English, with multilingual translators available, as needed and requested.
DAY 1
FRIDAY
13 SEPTEMBER
The Morning
Our emcee, Refiloe Mpakanyane, will welcome us to the space, to each other and introduce the keynote presentations:
- The intersection of place and cultural expression, how architecture connects the past and the future - Tosin Oshinowo
- The power of art to transform our internal world and the natural world through environmental education, spotlight on museum programmes. -Sonia Lawson
- Africa's art institutions - how they can create bridges and opportunities - Farah Fonkenell
Lunch at the Palais with time to explore the grounds.
The Afternoon
Small group talks with artists and experts who grapple with these themes (choice of two)
- Extraction - making meaning out of the complex industry of mineral and natural resource extraction, connecting communities with global value chains
- Mimicry and marvel - biodiversity as an inspiration for human innovation and invention
- Living in the material world - circular economies and art mediums
- Engaging our full humanity in climate and biodiversity programmes and policy debates
- Africa's landscapes - an endless exploration of immense diversity and natural beauty
The evening
Sundowners in the garden, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean
Official welcome dinner
Togolese stone music, operatic aria
DAY 2
SATURDAY
14 SEPTEMBER
The Morning
Plenary talks
- Co-existing with the natural world - state of Africa's biodiversity and landscapes - Speaker TBC
- The power of place - the rich history of Lomé as a port city and at the intersection of kingdoms and global powers - Speaker TBC
Artist studio visits in Lomé
Thierry Tomety (Tessi), Sika AKpaloo, Emmanuel Sogbadji, Camille Tete Azankpo
Lunch at the Agnassan - Musée Paul Ahyi
The Afternoon
Thematic excursions in the city with a pairing of artists and thematic experts (in small groups)
- Culinary - spend time with a pair of chefs who will introduce you to Togo through its flavors and culinary traditions
- Fashion and fabric - from production and artisanal technique of indigo, kente cloth to fashion as high art
- The spiritual world of Voodoo - exploring the history, the beliefs and the cultural expressions of West Africa vodun in its birthplace in the Dahomey Kingdom
- Art in the streets - see the murals, the sculptures, the street art and the life of Lomé through the lens of world class photographers
The evening
Dinner at Le Patio - the soul of Africa + the spirit of modernity
DAY 3
SUNDAY
15 SEPTEMBER
The Morning
Plenary talks
- The trajectory of African art - disruptive, distinctive, digital - Speaker TBC
- Sparks of creativity - what does the fully ignited future look like (socially, environmentally) - Speaker TBC
Lunch in the Palais gardens
The Afternoon
Immersive experiences from a cross-disciplinary pairing of artists and creative changemakers (choice of three)
- Nature's soundscape - listening to the rich audio cacophony of nature that takes us behind what we can see
- Water - the power of oceans, rivers and lakes that remind us of our intimate relationship and dependence
- Deserts - a vast and expanding landscape, its extremes and its intricacies
- Tropical rainforest - the tactical personality of the rainforest organism
- Fynbos - the fine details of flora and fauna - a terroir of flavour
- Savannahs - a canopy and cradle for pastoralists and iconic species
- Nature's medicine - the potency of plants
The closing evening
Dinner at the Blue Turtle
THURSDAY
12 SEPTEMBER
You will be greeted upon arrival and escorted to the 2 Fevrier Hotel, a 25 minute drive from the airport. After settling in, your dedicated host will discuss the programme options and tailor the itinerary for the next three days based on your interests.
You can enjoy a welcoming drink with other guests and dine at any of the restaurants in the hotel or venture out with your host to explore Lomé restaurants.
Note, Togo is a French speaking country and the event will be held in English, with multilingual translators available, as needed and requested.
FRIDAY
13 SEPTEMBER
The Morning
Our emcee, Refiloe Mpakanyane, will welcome us to the space, to each other and introduce the keynote presentations:
- The intersection of place and cultural expression, how architecture connects the past and the future - Tosin Oshinowo
- The power of art to transform our internal world and the natural world through environmental education, spotlight on museum programmes. -Sonia Lawson
- Africa's art institutions - how they can create bridges and opportunities - Farah Fonkenell
Lunch at the Palais with time to explore the grounds.
The Afternoon
Small group talks with artists and experts who grapple with these themes (choice of two)
- Extraction - making meaning out of the complex industry of mineral and natural resource extraction, connecting communities with global value chains
- Mimicry and marvel - biodiversity as an inspiration for human innovation and invention
- Living in the material world - circular economies and art mediums
- Engaging our full humanity in climate and biodiversity programmes and policy debates
- Africa's landscapes - an endless exploration of immense diversity and natural beauty
The evening
Sundowners in the garden, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean
Official welcome dinner
Togolese stone music, operatic aria
SATURDAY
14 SEPTEMBER
The Morning
Plenary talks
- Co-existing with the natural world - state of Africa's biodiversity and landscapes - Speaker TBC
- The power of place - the rich history of Lomé as a port city and at the intersection of kingdoms and global powers - Speaker TBC
Artist studio visits in Lomé
Thierry Tomety (Tessi), Sika AKpaloo, Emmanuel Sogbadji, Camille Tete Azankpo
Lunch at the Agnassan - Musée Paul Ahyi
The Afternoon
Thematic excursions in the city with a pairing of artists and thematic experts (in small groups)
- Culinary - spend time with a pair of chefs who will introduce you to Togo through its flavors and culinary traditions
- Fashion and fabric - from production and artisanal technique of indigo, kente cloth to fashion as high art
- The spiritual world of Voodoo - exploring the history, the beliefs and the cultural expressions of West Africa vodun in its birthplace in the Dahomey Kingdom
- Art in the streets - see the murals, the sculptures, the street art and the life of Lomé through the lens of world class photographers
The evening
Dinner at Le Patio - the soul of Africa + the spirit of modernity
SUNDAY
15 SEPTEMBER
The Morning
Plenary talks
- The trajectory of African art - disruptive, distinctive, digital - Speaker TBC
- Sparks of creativity - what does the fully ignited future look like (socially, environmentally) - Speaker TBC
Lunch in the Palais gardens
The Afternoon
Immersive experiences from a cross-disciplinary pairing of artists and creative changemakers (choice of three)
- Nature's soundscape - listening to the rich audio cacophony of nature that takes us behind what we can see
- Water - the power of oceans, rivers and lakes that remind us of our intimate relationship and dependence
- Deserts - a vast and expanding landscape, its extremes and its intricacies
- Tropical rainforest - the tactical personality of the rainforest organism
- Fynbos - the fine details of flora and fauna - a terroir of flavour
- Savannahs - a canopy and cradle for pastoralists and iconic species
- Nature's medicine - the potency of plants
The closing evening
Dinner at the Blue Turtle
Requested contribution of £20,000
Includes all accommodation, meals, drinks, local transport and activities
A significant portion funds the Arete Art Foundation grants to the Palais de Lomé and grassroots initiatives across Africa.
***
Please contact Stephanie to RSVP or discuss further
steph@areteartsfoundation.org | +1 708 655 2531 or +27 73 635 5891 (WhatsApp only)
BANK DETAILS
Monzo Bank, Broadwalk House, 5 Appold St, London, UK
Account number – 95126515
Sort Code – 04-00-03
BIC No – MONZGB2L
IBAN – GB52 MONZ 0400 0395 1265 15
