It will soon be my third month in Amsterdam, I’m still a bit a tourist, the kind of guy who goes to the Tropenmuseum with his mum on a sunny afternoon… After seeing the wonderful permanent collection, I arrived at the third level of the museum and discovered an amazing series of African textiles honouring Presidents from the 20th century and also important visitors such as Pope John Paul II and Barack Obama. Setting aside their role as propaganda this collection of 60 pieces from all over Africa forms a fascinating example of contemporary design and social communication. Kitsch icons mixed with structured hand-drawn patterns are printed in vibrant colours using ”fancy print” technology that allows the reproduction of photographic imagery at low cost. And that’s how we communicate in Africa! So refreshing, you definitely gotta see it!

Long live president ! Tropenmuseum Amsterdam from 2 April to 30 August 2010