"Villa Dieu Seul Sait"
Residence for artists, writers and researchers,
studio and seminar facilities in Benin, Western Africa
 Recently constructed studion wing |
 cool veranda, ideal for work or |
 long discussions without starving.. |
 The gardens are subdivided by red earth walls, |
accommodation ranging from rooms with shared facilities to
private apartments with
kitchen and bathroom
Quite location in a coconut grove, 300m from the beach, no
tourism, traditional fishing,
mangrove lagoon in the back, 40min from international airport
Cotonou, 20 from the
edge of town with shopping facilities pharmacies,
supermarkets, Internet cafes.
architecture: in allusion to traditional Benin buildings, we
used thatched roof, and red mud
walls with concrete core,
modern facilities, generator electricity in the evenings and
upon special request, own water
wells and towers, exclusively used by the residents.
garden with several shady rest areas, tropical fruit trees,
blossoms all year.
 an independent appartment |
 with its own kitchen and bathroom |
 bedroom with creative zone and reserved garden |
 a dug out fishing boat on Togbin Beach |
Founded in 1999 and run by artist
Georges Adéagbo and curator Stephan Kohler
Extension with further studios, accommodation and exhibition
spaces projected. Detailed description
of the project at the end of this page.
Food service available on request. locally harvested papaya,
bananas and coconut at
residents’ disposal. Catch of the day from the beach.
Transportation:
taxis with a driver can be hired for 3 Euros an hour for
errands in the
Cotonou areas. Long distance rides to be negotiated.
Climate
December to March, dry season, around 30 C day and night, the
summer
months can be cooler with occasional rain showers,
constant ocean breeze, renders a natural air conditioning
video walk available on CD as mpeg file and images of
interiours can be attached to e-mails
rates
apartment: 30 Euro, room 18 Euro per day
long term stay rates available
reservations
stepler@attglobal.net and ledestin@firstnet1.com please send always a copy to the second address
fax: +49-69-791 226 482
mobile 94 89 75 +229 c.code Benin
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In general, artists gather in the
metropoleis of Europe, the US and other wealthy countries.
Probably they like to stay close to their public, collectors,
critics and curators who write about them or might invite
them for further projects. Without doubt, the distribution of
occasions for cultural encounters on the globe is not
balanced yet. On the other hand, programs, facilities and
audiences are rare in most countries considered as under
developed.
However, the need for a continuously operating art forum also
in Africa seems obvious, even at intimate
scale and without commercial prospects. Georges Adéagbo and
Stephan Kohler used their personal assets to acquire real
estate and plant the first seed on the coast of Benin. (ex-
Dahomey) The name ‘Villa Dieu Seul Sait’ does not
refer to any institutionalized form of religion, but was
chosen by Georges Adéagbo as synonym for the notion
‘Trust your destiny’. Situated in a coconut grove
between the beach and lagoon of Togbin village, 5km west of
Benin’s largest city Cotonou, the initial cell, a 15m
diameter thatched roofed round house was completed summer
2000, a guesthouse in the park in 2001 and a large atelier
with two guestrooms, a studio and 33m long terrace for
meetings in spring 2002.
The concept for this cradle of encounters grows naturally out
of Georges Adéagbo’s œuvre. With his
all-embracing analytical installations this senior Benin
artist catalyzes understanding and empathy between races and
cultures. By intertwining elements from his native country
with those found in the guest location , Georges reveals
obstacles to harmony; While common denominators are hidden
under a varnish of geographical and political distinctions,
complementary action occurs only when partners recognize and
esteem their particular predisposition. Stephan Kohler, of
German origin and based in Japan since 1987, coordinates
projects both for established institutions and at the same
time searches continuously off trodden tracks for situations,
considered as unsuitable by many, which harbor a potential
for having innovative and needed processes hatch. All of his
activities are summarized as ‘jointadventures’.
In the near future, further studios to host visiting artists
and an exhibition space will form a planetary
constellation around this first center of gravity. One area
will be designated to show permanent installations by Georges
Adéagbo on un- recognized aspects of Benin’s history
and the neighboring countries, while other spaces are
prepared to view works created by artists during their stay.
“Villa Dieu seul sait” intends to launch a general
search for authenticity by instigating the reassessment of
existing, sometimes imposed categories, such as ‘African
Contemporary Art’ and inviting to confront
Europeans’ interpretations of African traditional
sculpture, some of which contributed a critical momentum to
the leap towards abstraction already about one hundred years
ago, with the originals at their source. It may be exciting
to observe the see-saw of visual loans that led occidentals
to new form, while African talents begin to assume new roles
such as by becoming ‘artist’. Only when the
clusters of clichés are unraveled, communication and ideas
flow freely and can realign in natural ways.
Not necessarily an endeavor rooted in
‘francophony’, Villa Dieu seul sait plans to
co-operate and co-vision with individuals and institutions of
any country freely from to facilitate encounters, exhibitions
and publications. While the villa can offer spaces in
pristine nature and orientation, participants will need to
cooperate solicit funding for their travel, per diem and
materials necessary for their respective projects.
The shore between Cotonou and Ouidah was the last one of the
African continent millions of slaves saw
when being ‘exported’ over the centuries, a fact
which is commemorated by the gate of no return on the
beach. In return, Benin particularly qualifies as a platform
for an inter-cultural forum, because of its rich
traditions and history as well as present political
stability. Due to abundant foreign aid, combined with the
citizens’ serious efforts, the infrastructure and
medical care are continuously improving. Other than his giant
neighbor Nigeria of 150 million, Benin is a sympathetic
‘David’ of six million inhabitants and functions
safely and relatively uncomplicated. The airport of Cotonou
links Benin to Paris daily and African destinations with
reasonable frequency.
News about the progress of ‘Villa
Dieu seul sait’ and the work of Georges Adéagbo will be
posted on this website.
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