Written by Joyce Bidouzo-Coudray

From the other side of the Western culture’s redbrick and across the world at large, there still remains a great deal of reluctance from the mass media to provide a meaningful portrayal of modern African society; at least one that is not dispensing misguided reports of a continent plagued by health issues, political turmoil, ethnic warfare, fear and corruption to an audience all too willingly accustomed to be fed such degrading tales.

Enters ANOTHER AFRICA; an unparalleled web magazine aiming to open the field of view and bring forward authenticated insight on the multitude of creative facets and layers that are progressing strongly within contemporary Africa.

Both images Vivien Sassen

Founded in 2010 by Missla Libsekal, the online platform ANOTHER AFRICA has since then established itself as ‘the connoisseur’ of modern African culture; offering its global readership, the kind of curated content that is not just informative but more so inspiring and endowing. Today, it is a true influencer of opinion, showcasing the continent’s vitality and its creative ingenuity with a visual acumen which is rarely seen elsewhere.

The idea begins with a place. For centuries now, the continent has been pigeon-holed in clichés of all sorts. Today, even though the Internet, the ease of travel and global migration are creating more hybrid cultures, very few media formats and publications are surefooted enough to cover Pan-Africa and the diaspora; nor are they willing to acknowledge the prolific engagements of the transformative era which lead us to where we are now.

ANOTHER AFRICA integrates the intrinsic understanding of “Africa” as one of the critical starting point of our modern sociological evolution. Its namesake alone proclaims that there is another dimension to the continent by showcasing the creative tour de force of its peoples and supporters; restoring a respect for the wealth of knowledge stored in its varied cultures and peoples of different colors, races, ethnicities and tribes; transcending its extensive cultural heritage far beyond the spectrum of geo-politics by allowing it to resonate against today’s vibrant subcultural panoramas.

Odili Donald Odita

It is not about division but rather inclusion. ANOTHER AFRICA casts a light on the rich diversity emanating from the continent in the fields of Art, Culture, Design, Fashion, Music, Literature and Film; ultimately using creativity as a means for inspiration and dialogue to share a contemporary vision on the continent.

As stated by Libsekal herself: ‘Art is powerful, it simply needs unleashing and ultimately it will influence, inspire and help to reclaim Africa. The arts are not a first-world luxury, Another Africa is intended to be a constant reminder of this.’

An impressive range of world class photographers, multimedia artists and reputable creative thinkers has been featured on the platform including New York based photographer Phyllis Galembo with her African mythology inspired series It Is All A Masquerade; Dutch photographer, Vivian Sassen‘s latest work Parasomnia which recently showed at the Stevenson Gallery; South African illustrator and artist Dominique Sarah Benton; Paris based Moroccan artist Mounir Fatmi with his critically acclaimed Lost Springs installation; the bewildering Autoportraits by Togolese artist Hélène Amozou; Zimbawean-born graphic designer and professor Chaz Maviyane-Davies or STRA (Stories For One Another), a collaborative art project between Japan’s Megumi Matsubara and Kenya’s Otieno Kota. More recent interviews help us discover creatives by the likes of New York based,Gordon Harrison Hull and his stellar installation War on Gravity.

Gordon Harrison Hull

Readers can also catch up on cultural events such as The Bayimba Festival in Uganda, for which ANOTHER AFRICA collaborated together with Dutch photographer Andrea Stultiens in order to publish the stories of aspiring photographers. More international coverage include the last edition of Paris Photo which was dedicated to African photography. Several other note worthy online features also got our caviling hearts weep with absolute delight, including:Oh To Be So Adroit; German photographer Hans Silvester’s images of the Surma and Mursi Ethiopian tribe from the Omo Valley; or Bejewelled – Ubakagi, a series of stunning collages created by Iranian Ashkan Honarvar  based on images from the Belgian Congo between 1885 – 1908…to name but a few!

Top image:  Phyllis Galembo, below: Hans Silvester

ANOTHER AFRICA holds a singular standard, quality. Critical thought is applied to the choices of stories that are being covered. It is about asking tough questions that will engage readers to consider how their own opinions are formulated.

As a forerunner, a strong voice and positive source of editorial content on contemporary Africana, ANOTHER AFRICA truly stands out as the unparalleled creative platform per excellence; offering the well discerning Aficionado an opportunity to venture away from the mass media mine fields of  misconceptions and greet farewell to the myriad of false notions that are still being perpetuated across modern society’s marketplaces, even by those ascribing to promote contemporary African culture.

Top image: Helene Amouzou, below: Lyle Owerko

ANOTHER AFRICA mirrors of all the times and places where people are behaving magnificently; providing a much needed energy to the endeavor of shifting the future of Africa in a bright new direction.

As a beacon of creative optimism, ANOTHER AFRICA reminds us that to be hopeful in difficult  times is not just foolishly romantic but that human history is just a history of cruelty but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage and kindness and ultimately that what we choose to emphasize in this complex history will actually determine our lives.

If it is true that the diaspora has the potential to revitalize Africa…well here is a radiant testimonial.

For more insight, visit: http://www.anotherafrica.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Another.Africa
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/another_africa
Tumblr http://anotherafrica.tumblr.com