African Renaissance Monument
| File:DakarMonumentRenassance100109.jpg The monument in January 2010 | |
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| Location | Ouakam suburb, Dakar, Senegal |
|---|---|
| Designer | Pierre Goudiaby |
| Type | statue |
| Material | bronze |
| Height | 49 m (160ft) |
| Beginning date | 2006 |
| Completion date | 2010 |
| Opening date | April 4, 2010 |
The African Renaissance Monument is a 49m-tall bronze statue outside of Dakar, Senegal. Built overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in the Ouakam suburb, the statue was designed by the Senegalese architect Pierre Goudiaby after an idea presented by President Wade and built by a company from North Korea.[1] Site preparation on top of the 100-meter high hill began in 2006, and construction of the bronze statue began 3 April 2008.[2] Originally scheduled for completion in December 2009, delays stretched into early 2010, and the formal dedication occurred on 4 April 2010, Senegal's "National Day", commemorating the 50th anniversary of the country's independence from France.[3]
Construction
The monument is made of copper sheets 3-centimeters thick, and depicts three figures, a family group, emerging from a mountain top: a full-length statue of a young woman, a man, and, held aloft in the man's raised left arm, a child resolutely pointing out towards the sea. Construction of the bronze statue group was carried out by the North Korean firm Mansudae Overseas Project Group of Companies.[4]
The project was launched by Senegalese president Abdoulaye Wade who considers it part of Senegal's prestige projects, aimed at providing monuments to herald a new era of African Renaissance.
Criticism
Expense
The colossal statue has been criticized for its cost at US$27 million (£16.6m).[1]. The payment was made in kind, with 30 to 40 hectares of land that will be sponsored by a Senegalese businessman. [5]
Style
Senegalese opposition leaders have also questioned the style of the project, labelling it "Stalinist", and others say that the body shapes are not african.[1] Local imams argue that a statue depicting a human figure is idolatrous, and object to the immodesty of the semi-nude male and female figures.[6]
In December 2009 president Abdoulaye Wade apologised to Senegal's Christian minority for comparing the statue to Jesus Christ.[1]
Revenue
The project has also attracted controversy due to Wade claim to the intellectual property rights and insisting that he is entitled to 35 percent of the profits raised.[6] Opposition figures have sharply criticised Wade's plan to claim intellectual property rights, insisting that the president cannot claim copyright over ideas conceived as function of his public office.[7] [8]
Those familiar with the inner workings of the monument note that the observation room located at the top of the man's head will accommodate only 15 tourists at a time, and the elevator carrying them to the top can hold only 5 or 6 persons. The only windows are in the observation room and the interior must be air conditioned at considerable expense.[citation needed]
Local artists
Ousmane Sow, a world-renowned Senegalese sculptor, also objected to the use of North Korean builders, saying it was anything but a symbol of African renaissance and nothing to do with art.[9]
Gallery of images
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View of the planned statue.
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The monument during its construction (August 2009)
References
- ^ a b c d BBC News - Senegal President Wade apologises for Christ comments
- ^ Reuters, 4 April 2008, Senegal plans African Renaissance Monument; http://www.polity.org.za/article/senegal-plans-quotafrican-renaissancequot-monument-2008-04-04
- ^ Senegal inaugurates controversial $27m monument; http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8601382.stm
- ^ « Sénégal : report de l'inauguration du monument de la Renaissance africaine », dépêche AFP mise en ligne par Le Monde, 13 novembre 2009
- ^ Confidences de Serigne Mamadou Bousso Lèye, ministre sénégalais de la Culture et de la Francophonie », Jeune Afrique, no 2551, du 29 novembre au 5 décembre 2009, p. 41.
- ^ a b BBC News - Senegal imams use prayers to condemn giant statue
- ^ «Senegal colossus proves sore point», from BBC News, 16 novembre 2009
- ^ «Senegal President Wade apologises for Christ comments», from BBC News, 31 December 2009
- ^ A monumental folly in Senegal The Independent. Retrieved 9 January 2010.
14°43′20″N 17°29′42″W / 14.72209444°N 17.49498056°W