Paper short abstract:

This article discusses the aesthetics of art creation and presentation as experienced during the Invisible borders Trans-African Road trip project, which involves a group of African artists travelling by road across African countries and creating works in the process.

Paper long abstract:

The Invisible Borders Trans-African Rod trip project annually assembles up to ten artists to embark on a road trip from one country in Africa to another, so far always taking off from Lagos Nigeria. During the Trip, the artists create works, network with indigenes and engage in workshops with local artists in major cities traversed. There have been four editions of the project since its inception in 2009. Over the years, the artists have gathered experiences, which have lead to raising questions as regards methods of art production while on the trip. There are many factors which come into play and therefore affect aesthetics. Here we look at the performative nature of the project - being a fiction the reality of those whose everyday existence we punctuate with this traversal.

We define the Public Space as a derivative of the intricate networks of events, perception, personalities embodied by the people within the space and every work that intends to exist or work with the public space must put into consideration or dialogue the everyday reality by which the physical space is a function.

This article equally discusses the core element of aesthetics in art creations in Africa and describes it as a radiation, that energy which runs through the continent like a continuous thread and manifest in the form of improvisation and spontaneity. These two elements are the driving force behind the aesthetics of African publics space today, but also an integral part of the personality of today's African artist