In Mali, the second edition of the Interbiennale de la photographie began on 1 December. It continues until January 15 in Bamako. An event organized between the famous Bamako photo biennials, hence its name, and especially dedicated to young Malian photographers. Objective: to promote the emergence of a new generation of artists. With exhibitions, but also parades in the heart of the city.
Fifteen photographers, out of about sixty candidates, were selected. Their work is exhibited in Bamako National Park and in three other locations in Mali’s capital: African House of Photography, French Institute of Mali and Bamako Art Gallery. Different works without a forced theme.
At the initiative of this event, Seydou Camara, Chair of the Network of Photographers in Mali: “The young photographers worked according to different choices on different themes. Others work with street photography, working with the daily life of young people on the street. There are others who have worked with studio portraits, others have worked with really very conceptual themes, like a young man who worked with slavery in Libya. So many young people worked in their own way with different subjects. ”
Meet the locals
And the special thing about this photographic festival is meeting the residents during big street parades. “We want to democratize photography, if the population is not aware of it, so we did nothing. Instead of people coming to see the pictures, we will walk past the doors of the Malian people. At the same time, I always take the opportunity to honor our elders, that is, Malick Sidibé because the beginning of the parades commented on Malick’s studio via Sakali’s studio. So we will go there, to the national park, ”adds Seydou Camara.
Three winners will be rewarded by a jury consisting of personalities from photography and culture. The key: money, but also an exhibition and support, for a year, by a professional photographer from the continent.
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