5th Bamako Encounters: Sacred Rites, Profane Rites
The 5th Rencontres de la photographie africaine was held in Bamako, Mali, from October 20 to November 20, 2003. This event, organized by the French Association for Artistic Action (Afaa) in collaboration with the Malian Ministry of Culture and supported by EU funding, centered on the theme 'Sacred Rites, Profane Rites.' Key exhibitions were hosted at venues such as the National Museum of Mali and the Palace of Culture. Additionally, the Contours festival, which ran concurrently, highlighted Malian photographers and featured displays on democracy, music, and football, coordinated by Chab Touré. The main exhibition, curated by Simon Njami, showcased artists including Myriam Mihindou, Emeka Okereke, Rui Soeiro, and Roberto Stephenson, while solo presentations spotlighted Santu Mofokeng and André Albany, focusing on traditions from Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
Key facts
- 5th Rencontres de la photographie africaine took place in Bamako, Mali, from October 20 to November 20, 2003.
- Organized by Afaa (French Association for Artistic Action) and the Malian Ministry of Culture, with EU funding.
- Theme: 'Sacred Rites, Profane Rites'.
- Official venues: National Museum of Mali, National Library, Palace of Culture, Modibo Keita Memorial.
- Off-festival 'Contours' featured Malian photographers only (except Camara) in three thematic exhibitions on democracy, music, and football.
- Chab Touré curated the off-festival exhibitions; his gallery showed works by Payram, Christien Jaspars, Schadeberg, Bob Cnoops.
- Simon Njami curated the main exhibition 'Sacred Rites, Profane Rites' with works by Myriam Mihindou, Emeka Okereke, Rui Soeiro, Roberto Stephenson.
- Santu Mofokeng presented a solo show on South African concentration camps and Nazi antecedents.
- André Albany's photographs from Réunion Island (1920–1950) were a patrimonial revelation.
- Photographers from Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Senegal, Egypt, and Cuba participated.
Entities
Artists
- Simon Njami
- Myriam Mihindou
- Emeka Okereke
- Rui Soeiro
- Roberto Stephenson
- Santu Mofokeng
- André Albany
- Chab Touré
- Payram
- Christien Jaspars
- Schadeberg
- Bob Cnoops
- Camara
- Bernard Marcelis
Institutions
- Rencontres de la photographie africaine
- Afaa (Association française d'action artistique)
- Ministère malien de la Culture
- Union européenne
- Musée national du Mali
- Bibliothèque nationale (Mali)
- Palais de la culture (Bamako)
- Mémorial Modibo Keita
- Contours (festival off)
- Galerie Chab Touré
Locations
- Bamako
- Mali
- Afrique du Sud
- Île de la Réunion
- Mozambique
- Zimbabwe
- Sénégal
- Égypte
- Cuba
Sources
- artpress —