The Lab is a dynamic space for every visitor where you can experiment musically, philosophise or have an animated chat during your visit to The Exhibition. In the Lab, we also organise all kinds of workshops and activities for groups and schools. For example, OKAN and Brede School have already created works of art that hang in this room.
Recently, this room also contains a Toguna, made by Youssouf Dara, a virtuoso craftsman and exceptional wood carver from the West African country of Mali. For just over a month, Youssouf Dara cut and carved this Toguna or 'Palaverhut' from various tree trunks.
The Toguna serves among the Dogon people in Mali as a public meeting place in the centre of the village. The village elders discuss the problems of the community there. The low roof ensures that everyone sits down during the discussions so that conflicts are solved using only words.
The meeting with Youssouf Dara gives everyone the opportunity to question western thinking and acting. With this gesture, we invite everyone to meet each other, engage in conversation and discover each other's point of view. Even if we don't agree. Please feel free to sit down in the Toguna.
