Yinka Olatunbosun
Drums ushered in visitors at the gate of Red Door Gallery, Victoria Island, Lagos where cultural archivist, curator and conceptual artist, Oludamola Adebowale hosted the arts community to the official launch of the history-laden 1851 Agidingbi Chess Game. It was the second of its kind in Lagos but this time around, this exhibition is the first from the artist to be showcased by a Lagos gallery.
Lagos was reimagined through the exhibition opening’s dress code: Vintage Lagos. The exhibition comprising of photography, video and board installations is meant to serve as a histo-cultural reservoir, preserving a body of knowledge of the Lagos colonial history.
“This is not just a chess game; it’s an interactive journey through time, a platform for learning and an opportunity to celebrate Lagos’ history,” Adebowale said while fielding questions from journalists about the show.
“As you explore the exhibition, you will witness the remarkable design of our new chess board, crafted with painstaking attention to detail to encapsulate the essence of Lagos.”
The event was attended by dignitaries and cultural icons including HRH Abiola Dosunmu (Erelu Kuti IV of Lagos), culture producer and activist, Jahman Anikulapo was a fascinating cultural and historical art exhibition. A combination of history, strategy, entertainment, the exhibition which celebrates the 170th memorial anniversary of the bombardment of Lagos by the British offers gamers and students of history an exciting journey chronicling the 1851 bombardment of Lagos.
Some of the features of the traditional checkerboard design are unique chess pieces named after Lagos royalties and chieftains, including Erelu-Kuti of Lagos (the Queen Mother), the Oba of Lagos(the King), the Adamu Eyo as the rock, Omo Ogun Eko as the pawn, Eletu-Odibo as the bishop and Abagbon as the Knight.
Players engage in this chess variant on either side, representing either the defenders of Lagos or the British invaders.
Set against the 1851 narrative about when the HMS Bloodhound, a British warship, anchored off Lagos with a singular objective to attack and seize control of the city, what unfolded was a dramatic power struggle between Oba Kosoko and his uncle, Oba Akitoye both competing for the throne with British support in the background. The reason for the intense feud was crystal clear: whoever ruled Lagos would wield significant trade influence over West Africa.
“With British forces prevailing, Oba Akitoye was reinstalled as the Oba of Lagos, altering the region’s history forever. The 1851 Agidingbi Chess Game brings this pivotal moment to life, offering an interactive and strategic platform for players to delve into Lagos’ history while honing their cognitive abilities, risk assessment skills and leadership acumen,” Adebowale added.
