THE third edition of a photography festival, LagosPhoto, took off in grand style as the organisers African Artists Foundation (AAF) had its first edition of what it was tagged LagosPhoto Fundraiser.Held at the Eko Hotel & Suites, it featured exhibition and auction of select works of previous participants. AAF described the auction as 'a record breaking sales of contemporary Nigerian photography.'The main event, LagosPhoto is a yearly photography festival in Lagos. Launched in October 2010, it's the only International arts festival of Photography genre in Nigeria.The 2012 edition themed Seven Days in the Life of Lagos opens on October 13 at the Eko Hotel & Suites, featuring nine satellite exhibition venues, simultaneously, including the AAF Gallery, White Space, Nimbus Gallery, Omenka Gallery, Falomo Roundabout (Ikoyi); Muri Okunola Park, Victoria Island; University of Lagos and the Owonoronshoki-Alapere Median.Also to be on display are Anton Cobijn's photographs of Fela Anikulapo Kuti in the early 1980s. The works are scheduled for show at Kalakuta Fela Museum in a partnership between Felabration and LagosPhoto.AAF stated that renowned photojournalist Stanley Greene is the Artistic Director of LagosPhoto 2012.The sales, according to AAF, included CalineChagoury's Delaiss (Left Behind), N5, 000, 000 and Hans Wilschut's The Warp, N2, 800, 000. A total of 'N13, 675, 000 was recorded.'Other photographers on the sale included Peter DiCampo, Benedicte Kurzen, Kadir van Lohuizen, Kelechi Amadi Obi, Medina Dugger, Judith Quax, Chantal Heijnen, Nana Ko!-Acquah, Alafuro Sikoki, HctorMediavilla, and Alfredo D'Amato.The fund, it was assured, will enable AAF's 'newly created LagosPhoto Foundation to implement exciting new photographic projects in Lagos.LagosPhoto Fundraiser will be a yearly event in conjunction with the LagosPhoto Festival. 'With the proceeds benefitting the LagosPhoto Foundation, a year-around permanent home of contemporary photography will be created in Lagos to augment the international festival ofphotography each October.'In partnership with World Press Photo, a leading international photography exhibition program, will be established. LagosPhoto isgrateful to the support of its photographers and donors who have donated and participated in the LagosPhoto Fundraiser Auction.''Other events include exhibitions, workshops, and large scale outdoor prints displayed throughout the city with the aim of reclaiming public spaces and engaging the general public with multifaceted stories of Africa.'LagosPhoto presents a contemporary and historical visual essay of the continent toboth a local and global audience.'Sponsors of LagosPhoto include Etisalat, Eko Hotel & Suites, and Arts Collaboratory.Partners include Samsung, Kis, Konica, Skysnap, Lagos State Ministry ofEnvironment and Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK), and Studio24. Supporters include Goethe-Institut, Spos Photography Institute, Air France,Martini, Bacardi, Grey Goose, and Porsche.'With major support provided bythe Eko Hotel & Suites, Mr. Femi Lijadu served as the Chairman for the eveningand Wunika Mukan served as the Master of Ceremonies. With inspirationalspeeches from Zainab Ashadu, Head of Public Relations for LagosPhoto, KelechiAmadi Obi, a leading Nigerian fashion photographer, and Mr. Femi Lijadu,among others, the audience was taken through a journey through the photographiccommunity in Nigeria in an e#ort to highlight the importance of the art mediumas a driving social force. Musical performances by Pauline Udiagha, Ssu, TemiDollface, and a comedy sketch by Basketmouth set the mood for the livelyfestivities, and a three course meal added to the simplistic grandeur of the evening.
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