African work of art launched into space in late 2022

The African Space Art Project programme (ASAP), conceived in 2017 by the French NGO African Artists for Development (AAD-Fund) in partnership with EUMETSAT and Arianespace, was born out of the observation: Africa is the continent that emits the least CO₂ yet suffers the most from global warming and extreme weather events.

Based on this observation, which directly impacts the lives of hundreds of millions of women and men on the continent, AAD, EUMETSAT and Arianespace have decided that in December 2022, for the first time in African, space and artistic history, a contemporary African work of art will be reproduced on the fairing of Ariane 5, which will put EUMETSAT’s first new-generation weather satellite into orbit.

This satellite, the first of a new-generation geostationary fleet called Meteosat Third Generation (MTG), will supply weather and climate data with unprecedented frequency and resolution for the many years to come. ASAP wants to show the strategic importance of such a launch for the continent of Africa: the data these new-generation satellites will provide will make it possible to better monitor extreme weather events and anticipate their consequences, which will be crucial for the socio-economic development of the continent.

The three ASAP programme finalists presented their projects on 27 November 2021 in Paris, France, to the members of an ASAP jury (see list below).

The jury unanimously decided to celebrate the union of the whole of Africa by proposing that the three artists work together to create a unique work of art that will bear witness to the collective power of the continent.

Jean-Michel Abimbola, Benin’s Minister of Culture and Arts and a member of the jury stated that by this decision: “Africa is putting forward a new paradigm based not on competition but on collaboration. By proposing to these three artists that they create this highly symbolic work, our continent is affirming a new axis of development based on the union of all.”

Jean-David Nkot, Michel Ekeba and Geraldine Tobé will be in residence from 3 January 2022 for two months to create a unique work of art, a fusion of their three creative universes. The work of Michel Ekeba, Jean-David Nkot and Geraldine Tobé will thus become the ambassador of an entire continent on planet Earth and in space.

This first African space, artistic and symbolic gesture will carry the hopes of transformation of the African continent and of the world through a work of art symbolising hope for all new generations.

In 2018, more than one hundred African artists under the age of 40 were invited to participate in the African Space Art Project. Fifty-one of them offered original creations expressing visions, hopes, dreams and fears, reflecting the complexity, the power and the richness of artistic creation and the future of their continent.

Their applications were studied by the ASAP Artistic Committee composed of Jean-Philippe Aka (Côte d’Ivoire), Gaël Faye (Rwanda), Melissa Goba (South Africa) and Keziah Jones (Nigeria).

On 4 March 2020, this committee selected three finalists: Michel EKEBA (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Jean-David NKOT (Cameroon) et Geraldine TOBE (Democratic Republic of the Congo).

Matthias and Gervanne Leridon, co-presidents of AAD said, “The joint work of Jean-David Nkot, Michel Ekeba and Geraldine Tobé that will accompany the launch of the new-generation satellite will be a symbol of the power of contemporary creation and the future of the continent. Europe and Africa will only build their future by realising that it can only be built deeply and concretely together. This project is a further step in this direction and reflects the role that the African continent will play in the global concert of humanity and creation in the 21st century.”

Phil Evans, Director-General of EUMETSAT stated: “Through the ASAP project, African artists will express the link between space, Africa and climate change. These three elements are at the heart of what we do every day at EUMETSAT, with our satellites that observe the planet and in cooperation with our partners in Africa.  I am looking forward to discovering the original work that will be carried by the three artists selected.”

Stéphane Israël, Chairman and CEO of Arianespace stated: “The artistic project displayed on the Ariane 5 fairing that will accompany the launch of the MTG satellite for EUMETSAT in December 2022 highlights the cooperation between Europe and Africa and the need for more space for Africa. Arianespace is proud and honoured to be associated with this emblematic initiative for the African continent.”

Key dates of the ASAP project

• September 2018: Official ASAP project announcement at the EUMETSAT Forum in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

• 4 March 2020: Meeting of the Artistic Committee to select three prize-winning artists among the hundreds of artists invited to participate in the project

• 27 November 2021: Presentation in Paris of the projects by the three winning artists to the members of the ASAP Jury and decision to entrust a unique creation to the three finalists.

• January and February 2022: Two-month residency for the three winning artists

• June to December 2022: Presentation of the original work of art in Europe and Africa

• December 2022: Symbolic launch of the three artists’ work of art on the fairing of Ariane V carrying the MTG-I1 satellite in Kourou (French Guiana).

Members of the ASAP jury:

1. Jean-Phillipe AKA, Specialist in contemporary African art, Co-President of the Jury
2. Same MDLULI, Director of the Standard Bank Gallery in Johannesburg (South Africa), Co-President of the Jury
3. Jean-Michel Abimbola, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Arts (Benin)
4. Annie COHEN-SOLAL, historian, biographer and essayist
5. Paul COUNET, Head of Strategy, Communication and International Relations, EUMETSAT
6. Phil EVANS, Director-General of EUMETSAT
7. Elisabeth GOMIS, journalist and filmmaker
8. Stéphane ISRAEL, Chairman and CEO of Arianespace
9. Agnès KIJAZI, Third Vice-President of the World Meteorological Organisation and Director of the Tanzania Meteorological Agency
10. Daouda KONATE, Director of Meteorology of Côte d’Ivoire
11. Gervanne LERIDON, Co-President of AAD fund
12. Matthias LERIDON, Co-President of AAD fund
13. Sarah MBI ENOW ANYANG, former African Union Commissioner for Human Resources, Science and Technology
14. Azubuike NWAGBOGU, Director of the African Artists Foundation
15. Mehdi QOTBI, President de la Foundation of Museums of the Kingdom of Morocco
16. Alain RATIER, former Director-General of EUMETSAT

About African Artists for Development

Created in 2009 by Gervanne and Matthias Leridon, the African Artists for Development (AAD) endowment fund is a public interest organisation that supports community development projects in Africa associated with the creative works of contemporary African artists. This original approach has earned it an award from the Clinton Global Initiative and observer member status of the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

About EUMETSAT

As Europe’s satellite agency for weather and climate monitoring, EUMETSAT provides valuable weather and climate data to 30 member states from Darmstadt (Germany). EUMETSAT operates four geostationary Meteosat satellites, providing frequent observations for high-impact weather forecasts and warnings, and two polar-orbiting Metop satellites delivering a wealth of information on ocean and atmospheric parameters essential for forecasting weather conditions up to 10 days in advance. EUMETSAT is a partner in the Jason ocean altimetry mission and operates the Copernicus Sentinelle-3 and -6 ocean and atmosphere missions on behalf of the EU.

About Arianespace

THREE WINNING ARTISTS FOR A UNIQUE WORK

Michel EKEBA (Democratic Republic of the Congo)

Born in Kinshasa, where he lives and works, Michel Ekeba quickly invented himself an imaginary world called “KONGO ASTRONAUTS”. A protean artist, Michel Ekeba mixes painting, photography, sculptures and music and takes us into the African space universe. Michel also performs in his Kongo Astronauts costumes, the result of artistic and industrial recycling. His works question the concept of exile and encourage us to dream of other galaxies. He is part of an ongoing process of interaction and collaboration with other artists.

Jean-David NKOT (Cameroon)

Born in Douala, where he lives and works, Jean-David Nkot is today a major, internationally recognised painter. His creation questions the very notion of borders and territories. Jean-David’s work places the human being at the heart of migration issues. A painter of the human condition, Jean-David Nkot explores the body and its territories. His works shake up and challenge consciences. A superb plastic artist, he delves into African history to build the future.

Geraldine TOBE (Democratic Republic of the Congo)

Originally from Kinshasa, Geraldine Tobé is an artist deeply committed to the population. Geraldine does not envisage her artistic approach without cultural mediation and advocates a global citizen commitment. An avant-garde artist, Geraldine Tobé uses fire as a brush, her palette is made of smoke. Geraldine Tobé’s works evoke the mutations imposed by modernity and the irreversible damage to nature.