Paper short abstract:

Wiriko is a project that is based on the web 2.0 tools to promote African art forms. These artistic expressions have been often neglected from the Western World, so it's time to collaborate and create a real image of the continent’s cultural, creativity and vitality.

Paper long abstract:

Looking at Africa the media usually have done so through a point of view that reflects afropesimistic tendencies. Therefor in the Western World the positive image of Africa has been kept from mainstream view. In the cultural field the debates about authenticity have tended to oppose African contemporary art against African traditional art. In this debate the possibilities of transformation of the Sub Sahara cultures and the modernity of African cities today are often forgotten. Thus historical stereotypes have remained in our imagination. Currently the implementation of new technologies is a big challenge in Africa, but has the potential to be an important tool in the overcoming of the tension between tradition culture and modern culture. This less known artistic side of Africa reflects a dynamic continent full of creativity that has gone unnoticed.

In this context Wiriko is presented as the first website dedicated to the showcasing of African arts and culture in Spanish speaking countries. Wiriko is dedicated to showing the richness of African contemporary arts, without opposing the traditional arts. Giving the artists a platform to broadcast their arts and culture in Spanish speaking countries.

Wiriko.org is based on four pillars: To project a vision of African artistic expressions and to display an image of Africa, closer to reality; to take advantage of new technologies to facilitate better communication; Contributing to the awareness of the African culture that will allow better understanding of the African people that are living in Spain; To highlight the value of the communities of the diaspora.