L’ambiance nocturne de Kinshasa (Nightlife of Kinshasa)

Landry, artist

born 1977

L’ambiance nocturne de Kinshasa (Nightlife of Kinshasa), 2013

Where object was made: Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Material/technique: canvas; paint

Dimensions:
Image Dimensions Height/Width (Height x Width): 85.09 x 113.03 cm
Image Dimensions Height/Width (Height x Width): 33 1/2 x 44 1/2 in

Credit line: Museum purchase: R. Charles and Mary Margaret Clevenger Art Acquisition Fund

Accession number: 2013.0063

Not on display

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When Landry was growing up in the 1980s, Kinshasa was a fast-growing city marked by political upheaval and notable disparities in wealth. However, Kinshasa was also distinguished by its vibrant nightlife known as “La Sape,” which celebrated fashion and the pulsating electronic vibes of pop music and hip hop. La Sape is an abbreviation based on the phrase “Société des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Élégantes” or "Society of Ambiance-Makers and Elegant People.” It also reflects the French slang sape, meaning clothes, or sapé, meaning dressed up. The dancers’ movements, rhythmic clothing patterns, and vibrant colors capture the exuberance of a night on the town.