Le Musée du Quai Branly is possibly the coolest museum for non-western art. It actually recognises non-western art as art in itself, and not just as out-of-context, static objects in the more traditional museum sense.
Last night I ventured to one of it's 'Before' nights, an evening where concepts such as 'museum', 'art', tradition' and 'culture' are broken down and re-made to fit a fresher perspective.
The first thing to blow me away was a screening of the film Les maîtres fous (The Mad Masters), directed by Jean Rouch in 1955, with a live score by band Year of No Light. The music was incredible, enhancing the controversial nature of the film whilst complementing some of it's darker scenes.
Jean Rouch to combine film making and ethnography. Les maîtres fous is about the Hauka movement which began in Niger and spread to other parts of French colonial Africa. The Hauka movement was religious in its nature, ceremonies and dances were performed to mimic the military ceremonies of the colonial powers and to invoke the spirits of the colonial administrators.
Some anthropologists have interpreted this ritualistic ceremony as resistance to colonial rule, whilst others, notably James G Ferguson, believed it to be an act to gain respect, rights and status from the Europeans.
To watch an extract of the film click here
The night held further surprises with live dance performances, chill-out film showings and a DJ set from Dirty Sound System.
There were also interactive boards where you are asked to pin-point which categories apply to you - some of these included foreigner, superfreak, from here, exotic etc.
The museum itself holds an amazing amount of interesting art so when in Paris it is a great place to visit - but if you ever happen to be in Paris one of the 'Before' nights it is something not to be missed.
For more information on the Before events click here
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