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HIGH SPOTLIGHTS AFRICAN ARTIST YACOUBA BONDE "Yacouba Bonde: Bwa Masks of Burkina Faso" On view through July 11, 2009 A special installation, "Yacouba Bonde: Bwa Masks of Burkina Faso," showcasing four masks from the permanent collection and two masks on loan from collector Emmet Bondurant is now on view at the High Museum of Art, Atlanta. The installation spotlights masks carved by artist Yacouba Bonde, including one presented in full costume. The masks- carved of wood and painted with black, white and red geometric patterns-include a hyena, a chameleon, a bush cow, a snake (nearly fifteen feet high) and a butterfly (nearly nine feet wide). Several of the High's large ceramic vessels from Burkina Faso will complement the installation; video of Bwa masquerade performances and three additional masks by Yacouba Bonde will be on view in the Fred and Rita Richman Gallery. "Bwa masquerades are among the most spectacular of all African masquerade forms and remain vital in Bwa communities of Burkina Faso today," said Carol Thompson, Fred and Rita Richman Curator of African Art. "Among other occasions, masquerades are held during annual festivals and renewal celebrations. Yacouba Bonde, Artistic Director of Boni, Burkina Faso, has also staged masquerade performances in France, Switzerland, Holland and Belgium." About Bwa Masks and Burkina Faso Known as Upper Volta until 1984, Burkina Faso is located at the southern edge of the Sahara Desert. Its national boundaries were drawn by the French during the colonial era, and the country declared independence in 1960. More than sixty different ethnic groups live in Burkina Faso, and while it is often described as one of the most economically impoverished countries in the world, in terms of cultural traditions it is one of the richest places on earth. Bwa plank masks have become an important symbol of national identity and are pictured Burkina Faso's currency, the CFA. About Yacouba Bonde Artistic Director of the small town of Boni, Burkina Faso, Yacouba Bonde is a master sculptor adept at carving Bwa masks. He has a deep understanding of their cultural significance, including knowledge of the songs, music and dance steps that animate these works. With other Bwa men, women and elders, Yacouba Bonde choreographs annual masquerade festivals and oversees the initiation of younger generations into masquerade traditions. Rebekah Mejorado Curatorial Assistant, African Art High Museum of Art 1280 Peachtree Street, NE Atlanta, GA 30309 Tel: 404-733-5226 Fax: 404-733-4502 Email: rebekah.mejorado@woodruffcenter.org The High offers great exhibitions, programs, and lectures all year - reserve tickets or become a member today! http://www.high.org<http://www.high.org/ > H-Net Network for African Expressive Culture E -Mail: H-AFRARTS@H-NET.MSU.EDU WWW: http://www2.h-net.msu.edu/~artsweb/
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