Black Eguns

The exhibition "Black Eguns" at Galerie Dix9, Paris, features the work of Smaïl Kanouté. The show is inspired by Kanouté's induction into the Yellow Pocahontas Hunters (YPH) community in New Orleans, a group associated with Mardi Gras and its carnival traditions. Kanouté, who brings a dual European and African perspective, also incorporates Japanese references, such as the historical figure Yasuke Kurosan, a black samurai. The exhibition explores the Black presence in Japan from the 16th century and extends cultural dialogues on a global scale.

Kanouté's work reflects on postcolonial Europe and Africa, engaging with the concept of creolization as described by Édouard Glissant. The exhibition examines modernity through the lens of Black diasporas, highlighting their foundational role in contemporary global entanglements. It presents a vision of a "Europe-world" that embraces relationships and decentralization, drawing from African, American, and Asian histories.