SPOT ON… BAMAKO 2007

SELECTION FROM THE 7TH AFRICAN ENCOUNTERS OF PHOTOGRAPHY, IFA-GALLERY BERLIN, 24 OCT. 2008 - 11 JAN. 2009

In the series "Spot on…", the ifa-galleries Berlin and Stuttgart present one of the most important cultural events of the African continent for the first time in Germany: the "7th African Encounters of Photography", the world-wide known biennial of photography in Bamako, Mali. One of the most famous African photographers and curators - Akinbode Akinbiyi, co-curator of the Encounters 2007 – has made a photo selection for the ifa-galleries Stuttgart and Berlin. The chosen images give an impression of as well as an insight into the quality and variety of contemporary African photography. At the same time, they pick up the issue of urbanization in a transnational context.

Title and central theme of the Encounters 2007 was "In the City and Beyond". The curator chose for the ifa-Galleries Berlin and Stuttgart eleven African photographers who have dealt with urban and rural structures: Sammy Baloji, Berry Bickle, Jodi Bieber, Mohamed Camara, Saïdou Dicko, Mouna Karray, Amal Kenawy, Aida Muluneh, Soavina Ramaroson, Michael Tsegaye, Nontsikelelo "Lolo" Veleko.