As part of the Benin–Switzerland Initiative (2021–2024), eight Swiss museums investigated the provenance of their collections originating from the Kingdom of Benin, in close collaboration with their Nigerian partners. This joint research established that certain artefacts had been acquired by museums following the looting and the international art trade that occurred after the British attack on the Kingdom of Benin in 1897.
It has now been determined that 3 of the 9 artefacts that entered the MEG collections in the first half of the 20th century were certainly or very likely looted and are therefore eligible for restitution to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
During the round table, the MEG intends to present this international collaborative initiative and open a discussion on the restitution of looted cultural properties.
Artistic practices engaged in and accompanying this process will also be addressed, with the participation of sculptor and performer Samson Ogiamien, a partner of the MEG since 2022 and co-curator of the Se-Ya-Ma capsule in the exhibition “Mémoires. Genève dans le monde colonial” in 2024. https://colonialgeneva.ch
Participants: Carine Ayélé Durand, Director of the MEG; Floriane Morin, Curator at the MEG in charge of the Africa collections; Annette Bhagwati, Director of the Museum Rietberg; Olugbile Holloway, Director General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments of Nigeria; Samson Ogiamien, multidisciplinary artist from Benin and partner of the MEG since 2022, of royal descent through his father and born into the casters’ guild through his mother, his artistic practice is dedicated to memory structures.
The event will be simultaneously interpreted into English and French.
Free admission, no prior registration required.