Part of the 2018 Dakar Biennale (Dak’Art), Dakarmorphose was an exhibition retracing the history, transformation and socio-cultural relevance of the 12 pencs of Dakar, Senegal. They are the remnants of the indigenous Lebu villages before the colonial grid was implemented by the French. Still existing in the city centre today, the pencs show pockets of persistance of traditional ways of life and of political and social systems.
The project, spearheaded by Senegalese architects Nzinga Mboup and Carole Diop, needed a set of distinct visual identities for each of the pencs, helping the biennale visitors to learn about each penc’s unique purpose and history across posters and leaflets.
Derived from the pencs' minarets, a distinct set of icons form the basis of the 12 identities
The pencs are the remains of Lebu community villages that existed in 1857 when the French founded the modern city of Dakar, Senegal. They consist of a large tree, the traditional palaver tree where village councils and ceremonies are held, an outdoor area and a mosque.
12 architectural models of the pencs were created for the exhibition
Banners were displayed outside each penc giving a glimpse into its history
The main exhibition was held on the premises of Penc Mbott