ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Irene Vida Gala Discusses Seydou Cissé and Tiécoura N'Daou in Videobrasil Commented Archive Episode

publication · 2026-04-23

In the latest episode of Commented Archive VB, ambassador Irene Vida Gala examines Seydou Cissé's film 'Faraw ka taama (A viagem das pedras)' alongside Tiécoura N’Daou's photographic collection 'Djingareyber.' She places these works within the broader context of Mali's cultural and historical landscape, emphasizing the interplay between traditional religions and Islam. Cissé's film juxtaposes a dam, a representation of colonization, with a mother and daughter dressed in hybrid clothing. Art critic Joëlle Busca observes that Cissé's animation intertwines folklore with cinematic elements. N’Daou’s series illustrates the restoration of the Timbuktu mosque following its destruction during the 2013 terrorist occupation. The Commented Archive Videobrasil, established by Solange Farkas in 1991, releases segments of its collection biweekly.

Key facts

  • Irene Vida Gala analyzes works by Seydou Cissé and Tiécoura N'Daou in a Videobrasil archive episode.
  • The discussion focuses on Mali's culture and the interplay between traditional religions, animism, and Islam.
  • Seydou Cissé's video 'Faraw ka taama (A viagem das pedras)' features a dam and figures in traditional and Western dress.
  • Tiécoura N’Daou's photographic series 'Djingareyber' documents the restoration of the Timbuktu mosque after a 2013 terrorist occupation.
  • Vida Gala emphasizes the importance of oral tradition in African cultures.
  • The Commented Archive Videobrasil is a partnership between arte!brasileiros and Associação Cultural Videobrasil.
  • The Associação Cultural Videobrasil was founded in 1991 by Solange Farkas.
  • The Videobrasil collection focuses on works from the geopolitical South: Latin America, Africa, Eastern Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Entities

Artists

  • Seydou Cissé
  • Tiécoura N’Daou
  • Irene Vida Gala
  • Joëlle Busca
  • Solange Farkas

Institutions

  • Associação Cultural Videobrasil
  • arte!brasileiros
  • Sesc_Videobrasil Contemporary Art Festival

Locations

  • Mali
  • West Africa
  • Timbuktu

Sources