Market Imaginary by Joanna Grabski (review)

Market Imaginary represents a welcome departure from traditional documentary coverage of African peoples. By focusing on a historic market, the Marché Colobane, in Dakar, director Joanna Grabski subverts stereotypes and expectations of consumerism and art making in Senegal. Grabski presents a history of Colobane not through a chronological, historical, or economic lens, but through an aesthetic consideration of the abundant objects themselves as they are offered up at the market. More importantly, Market Imaginary does not present Grabski’s aesthetic interpretation of these market objects; rather, it offers those of the Senegalese vendors, residents, and artists who engage with the market and its merchandise.