This book, inspired by the Dak'art2004 festival, held in Dakar, Senegal, is performance art on the page. It opens with twenty-five pages of David Hammons' evocative "Spirit Writing". Then Hassan and Finley, both in history of art and visual studies at Cornell University, give the background and rationale behind the participation of Hammons, Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons and Pamela Z in the festival. Photographs of the installations and performances are excellent but can't possibly reproduce the immediacy of the events. This is art of the African Diaspora, returning to Africa. There are essays on the work of each artist but also on the diaspora and the history of Senegal and Dakar. There are also photos of other works of the artists that accompany the essays. A remarkable book. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
