The 9th edition of the Bamako Encounters / African Photography Biennial
1st Nov 2011 / 1st January 2012
The 2011 edition of the “Rencontres” offer a reflection on the quest for a sustainable world, with the aim to outline an inventory and pay special attention to the signs and forms of resistance possible. The strong adherence to the theme proposed only confirmed the social and political commitment of African artists.
Environmental concerns, once limited to a small circle of visionaries alerts, are now part of our daily lives and are at the heart of all debates.
Global warming, the depletion of mineral resources and food, the deforestation, water scarcity, are now central to all issues and global balances.
If economic liberalism based on the consumer society has created to improve the productivity and development, it also and above all strengthened the profits and inequality at the expense of basic respect for people and their environments.
In 2010, many African countries have celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their independence. For many this event was the time to take stock of national achievements and to look critically on the political and social structures and the distribution of wealth.
For these “Rencontres”, we invited the photographers and videographers to witness, to denounce, but also to identify areas for action, evidence of resistance or prevent the construction of a sustainable world. The different works presented approach the topic through documentary and journalistic approach or metaphorical and fictional stories.
The variety of themes and languages chosen by the artists, allows to take stock of artistic production today on the continent and the diaspora.
It is a measure of excitement and renewal of permanent African photographic scene, including the emergence of a new generation invents its own codes of expression.
Art Directors: Michket Krifa, Laura Serani
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