Bamako Encounters-African Biennale of Photography 2022 To view this video please allow JavaScript, and think about updating to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
“Rencontres de Bamako– Biennale africaine de la photographie,” as the photography biennale is officially named, has actually been held in the capital of Mali because 1994. At twenty years, it is one of the earliest art biennials on the African continent. Its focus is on contemporary photographic and video arts from Africa.
Bamako, with its population of 2.8 million people, is the cultural center of Mali. It boasts a nationwide museum, a national library, a significant music festival– and the picture biennale, known in English as the Bamako Encounters, which is co-hosted by the Institut Français.
Bonaventure Soh Bejeng Ndikung, who presently resides in Berlin, is the creative director of the 13th African Biennale of Photography in BamakoImage: Nicolas Remene/Le Pictorium/Maxppp/dpa/ picture alliance
This year marks 13th edition of the Bamako Encounters, entitled “The Individuals of the Individual Are Multiple in the Individual: On Multiplicity, Distinction, Becoming, and Heritage.” With this focus, basic director Chieck Diallo, artistic director Bonaventure Soh Bejeng Ndikung and the curatorial group want to draw attention to “the spaces in between, to that which defies meaning, to phases of shift, to being this and that or neither and both, to ending up being, and to distinction and divergence in all their tones,” as stated on the biennale’s site. The Biennale as profession increaseMalian professional photographer
Fatoumata Diabaté operates in both Montpellier, France and Bamako. In her work, she focuses on pictures in addition to social and cultural problems, centering females and youths in particular. She informed DW that the Bamako Encounters are
very important for emerging artists.”A great deal of terrific artists have been discovered here given that 1994, from Malick Sidibé to Seydou Keïta and lots of others, including myself.”Diabaté added that the biennale has contributed to the production of other arts celebrations on the African continent. Biennial motivates young artists Diabaté says
that celebrations like the Bamako Encounters empower youths and women like her.”Malians like photograpy,” she states.”There are a great deal of events that a lot of young people participate in. There are a lot of self-taught photographers, and some who have actually been professionally trained.”She adds that photographers from worldwide participate in the Encounters. “I’m amazed that more youths are taking up photography. I ‘d like there to be much more of us, specifically ladies. “Fatoumata Diabaté:” a profession has no gender”
Diabaté is devoted to supporting women in
photography. Since 2017, she’s been the president of the association of women photographers in Mali, which provides innovative workshops and other educational opportunities, as well as arranging initiatives and urban tasks. However Diabaté says Malian females continue to be underrepresented in photography. She blames social mindsets in the nation, which she says are so restrictive that they rob ladies of their self-confidence. However she highlights the significance of the role of females in society, whether in Mali or somewhere else. “Women create life; you can’t forget that. That’s likewise what I attempt to convey with the association– self-confidence in oneself and one’s strengths. “”For me, no occupation has a gender. Everybody needs to pursue the profession they wish to.”Diabaté states she picked her
profession in spite of her family’s objections. Professional photographer Fatoumata Diabaté says the Biennale of Photography is an essential celebration for the method
it encourages females and young people Image: Sasha Gankin Security crises, coups d’état and stress with France” Ther eis huge potential in Mail for youths to establish in such a method that they can get the crisis-riddled nation back
on its feet, “continues Diabaté, who believes the organizers of the
Bamako Encounters have comprehended that. Certainly, general director Cheick Diallo highlighted the significance of the Encounters as a socio-political event, saying ahead of the opening,”It is necessary that this biennale create connections– social connections, financial connections and political connections. Over the previous 2 years, Mali has had to compete not just with two coups d’état and security crises, however likewise with stretched relations with France after Mali’s military government prohibited French-funded NGOs
in addition to the French broadcasters RFI and France24. The federal government in Paris has actually condemned the latter step as an offense of press liberty. Cheick Diallo:” We fight for culture, and that is the best policy” In spite of the obstacles, the organizers of the Encounters are standing by the photography exhibit, which is being held in the national museum, the train station, and in other public spaces in Bamako. They are also preserving the important collaboration with the French cultural institute, the Institut Français.”We continue our relationship with France,”says Cheick Diallo.”We receive assistance, and we are grateful for the loyal collaboration. We defend culture, and I believe this is the best policy.”75 artists from Africa and the African diaspora have actually been welcomed to Bamako. Regardless of the tense political scenario, the organizers hoped to invite a minimum of 60 of them. 49 artists did wind up making the journey to the Malian capital. The thirteenth edition of the Bamako Encounters runs
from December 8, 2022 through February 8, 2023.