Afrykański rynek antykwaryczny. Między autentycznością a komercją. Przypadek Dogonów i Sombów

The emergence of mass tourism has resulted in changes taking place in the art of West African peoples. As a result, the demand for “original African souvenirs” has increased and practically industrial, mass production of “African art” has emerged. This phenomenon has been analysed on the example of two peoples strongly influenced by tourists (the Dogon and Somba people) and peoples moderately affected by this phenomenon. Changes can be clearly seen when comparing the art of the peoples of West Africa from the beginning of the 20th century, when there mass tourism did not exist, with the art of the early 21st century. Some of them arise from changes taking place inside a given culture as a result of a natural transformation process. Others arise from external changes caused by a mass interest in the art and works of local craftsmen. Masks and sculptures — the main objects of interest for visitors looking for an attractive souvenir — are changing as a result of customer expectations. Artisan art, most frequently encountered by tourists, although referring to the traditional art of peoples visited by them, responds primarily to the tourists’ demands. Some products are inspired by the tastes of the visiting tourists. In order to sell the products, a craftsman has to react quickly to the customer’s needs. The object of traditional art with all its rich symbolism has been taken out of the country of origin; it has become not a souvenir of a stay in the visited area only, but of a visit to Africa as such. A problem has recently arisen as to what is a copy and what is an original work of art. In the concept of European art, there is only one original work — every other object that looks the same is a copy or a forgery. In artisan art and museums there are many similar masks, sculptures and other objects with artistic qualities, differing only in terms of details and precision, and yet an ethnologist will not refer to them as counterfeits.