Fatshimetrie, the new voice of artistic creation in Kisangani
For five intense days, a dozen talented artists gathered in Kisangani to participate in a scriptwriting workshop led by the eminent artist, scriptwriter and comic book artist, Bamume Abdon. This creative meeting ended on Friday, November 1, 2024, leaving behind a wave of inspiration and reflection among the participants.
Bamume Abdon, with his 30 years of experience in the artistic field, passionately shared his expertise on the importance of the script in comics. For him, the script is the keystone of a successful story, whether it is intended for comics, cinema or theater. He stressed that even the most talented cartoonists can be handicapped by a weak script. Thus, he encouraged participants to give paramount importance to the relevance of the script to enrich and give weight to their stories.
The artist also drew attention to the fact that comics are not limited to the visual aspect. According to him, collaboration between scriptwriters and illustrators is essential to guarantee the quality of a work. He highlighted the case of illustrators who ended their careers after separating from their scriptwriters, thus highlighting the importance of this artistic complementarity.
In a context where the Congolese artistic scene seems to have lost its international prestige, Bamume Abdon called for the professionalization of scriptwriters to restore the image of Congolese creation. He stressed the urgency of promoting local cultural wealth and standing out from foreign influences to reaffirm the artistic identity of Congo.
The workshop, initiated by the Kimya cultural space, is part of an approach to promoting and valuing local talent. Charlène Makani, coordinator of this cultural space, stressed the importance of supporting artistic creation in Kisangani, a city where art schools are lacking. She announced a next phase of restitution of the participants’ work, with the publication of a collective comic strip that will be presented to the public.
In short, the screenwriting workshop in Kisangani was a real catalyst for creativity and reflection for the artists present. Thanks to the passion and expertise shared by Bamume Abdon, these local talents are now equipped to push the boundaries of art and actively contribute to the growth of the Congolese artistic scene. The advent of Fatshimetrie, this new voice of artistic creation, promises to shine well beyond the borders of Kisangani.