The exhibition Chiwara underlines the aesthetic form of the Chiwara crest masks, emblematic objects issues from Bamana, Malinke, Bozo and Senufo ethnies.
These pieces, carved, engraved, patinated and painted, look various styles and materials which are varying according to regions and the passage of time. Sculpted with architectural forms , the Chiwara masks, with a realistic workmanship, are generally associated to some animal or human figures, and are presented on dancer’sheads with a sckulcap basketry. According to the places, they are called wara-kun, wara-bakun, nama-koro-kun or sogo-ni-kun.
A selection of photographies and of multimedia showing is completing the content of the exhibition. Through a geographical approach, the exhibition emphasises the variety of styles and forms of the chiwara mask, and also the rites and rules which go along with.
- Exhibition curator: Mr. Lorenz Homberger, Deputy Director of the Rietberg Museum, Zurich
- Number of works: 40
- Surface area required: 250-300 m²
- Catalogue of the exhibition available, English and French versions (96 pages, Co-published by musée du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac/5 Continents Coedition, 2007)
This exhibition has been presented at :
- National Museum of Mali, Bamako from January 25th to April 24th 2011
- Carré Plantagenêt de la Ville du Mans from June 17th to October 11st 2009
- musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac from June 23rd to September 17th 2006
