CHALE WOTE 2014: FASHION AND ART SPREAD

Photography by MANTSE ARYEEQUAYE | KOFI ANTI AND KOBE SUBRAMANIAM

CHALE WOTE 2014 opened with an exhilarating flash of sights, sounds and energetic inventions by Ghanaian and international artists in James Town. Over 200 artists transformed old British Accra into a live museum with a long trace of multi-disciplinary art. Over two days, the streets of James Town were filled with fashion and art. Local and international designers were there to showcase and sell their amazing designs to the world.

Gye Nyame!

Some of the ornaments that sold at CHALE WOTE.

Shirts by Speak Ghana.

The Dolls wear kente well.

Hi-Tech Beads on display.

The popular DUNA wear by Two Cedi.

Kayobi Clothing was there to “Make Fufu Not War”

Loads of patrons were happy with the expanded vending option this year and paid it forward by purchasing souvenirs at CHALE WOTE 2014.

Ghanaian visual and performance artist, Bernard Akoi-Jackson, returns to CHALE WOTE.

Chocolate is gold.

In Exit Frame’s procession [above featuring Bernard Akoi-Jackson as well as ato annan, Kelvin Haizel, Adwoa Amoah and Kwasi Ohene-Ayeh], the aesthetic and technique of the project borrows largely from the contemporary urban spatial phenomenon of the “pop-up market stall/shop/selling space” that hawkers and street sellers use in Accra. The space of the street, therefore, becomes an activated interstices between places: curbs, street pavements, pedestrian zones, public parks, small shops, vending kiosks, hair salons, barber shops, taxis cabs and public transport.”

The Fantasy Eagle Coffin by Paa Joe

A fantasy coffin procession at CHALE WOTE 2014.

One of Paa Joe’s Fantasy coffins stationed outside Ussher Fort.

Awesome coffin at CHALE WOTE 2014

Fantasy Coffins by the the legendary coffin maker, Paa Joe, were displayed in vivid style. They were carried shoulder high in a procession along the entire route, stretching from Mantse Agbona to the Old Kingsway Building.

Martin “Bike Lord” Abrokwah flying on his BMX spaceship

The Flatland Boys brought the X Factor to the festival.

The Flatland Boys make high speed jumps on their bikes.

Stay tuned to the blog for more photo insights into CHALE WOTE 2014.