Plans for the construction of a new museum and community center dubbed Bt-bi museum in Seneaga, or the eye in Wolof, have been submitted. The objective of the Bt-bi museum is to convey the joys of visual art to a community that may not have had access to museums previously.
The project is developed by Josef and Anni Albers Foundation, and Le Korsa. The Josef and Anni Albers is a non-profit organization devoted to preserving and promoting the enduring achievements of both Josef and Anni Albers. Le Korsa, on the other hand, is a dynamic non-profit organization that works directly with dedicated doctors, teachers, and students in Senegal. Its aim is to increase access to medical care, economic opportunity, education, and arts in the West African country.
A jury chose Mariam Kamara, a Nigerien architect and founder of atelier masomi, to manage the project. Kamara said that she saw the project as a chance to design a new form of environment influenced by the region’s roots and spiritual legacy. In addition, Kamara said, it was an opportunity to push the boundaries of what constitutes a museum in the 21st century.
The Bt-bi Museum in Senegal is scheduled to open in early 2025.
Bt-bi Museum project features and expectations
The Bt-bi Museum in Senegal features an exhibition space, community gathering spaces, and a library. A café and an area for local artists to display and sell their art will also be featured.
The museum’s design pays homage to Senegambia’s ancient stone circles. The latter was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2006. It is said that the Bt-bi Museum in Senegal will also be built at a low cost. Furthermore, it will take into account local building traditions as well as their impact on the environment.
Traditional and contemporary African art, as well as art from the Diaspora, will be on display at the Bt-bi museum. In addition, the museum will feature works from the Harlem Renaissance, African textiles, American quilts, and Mesoamerican artifacts. Moreover, Native American beadwork, and Anni and Josef Albers’ work will all be on display.
