CALL FOR APPLICATIONS:10TH BAMAKO ENCOUNTERS:AFRICAN BIENNALE OF PHOTOGRAPHY

Bamako Encounters 2015
Organised by the Malian Ministry of Culture and Institut français, the Bamako Encounters is the first and principal international platform dedicated to African photography on the continent. A veritable platform for discovery, exchanges and interaction, the Bamako Encounters are known as a meeting place for African photographers and other art professionals from across the world. It will take place in Bamako, from 31st October to 31st December 2015.

The Executive Director of the Bamako Encounters is Samuel Sidibe, Director of the National Museum of Mali, who has been directing it since 2009.

The Artistic Director of the 10th Bamako Encounters is Bisi Silva, an independent curator and the Director, Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA, Lagos).

The Pan-African Exhibition, resulting from a call for applications and the selection of artists representing all of the African continent and its Diaspora, is part of the Biennial’s central presentation. In 2015 the title is « TELLING TIME » 

The call for applications to the Pan-African Exhibition of the 10th edition of the Bamako Encounters is open for African photographers and video artists from 15th January to 30th March 2015. 

french version:
http://ifprog.institutfrancais.com/…/Rencontres-de-Bamako-2…

english version:
http://ifprog.institutfrancais.com/…/Rencontres-de-Bamako-2…

Owambe at A Whitespace Lagos

Big 60 International Video Art Festival Lagos 2014/2015

A Whitespace,
58 Raymond Njoku
SW Ikoyi
Lagos

January 22nd 7pm

The second annual festival hosted in collaboration with A Whitespace continues with work by Nigerian and Indonesian artists, with films being made available by OK Video. The screening will feature 10 years of Indonesian film alongside a curated exhibition of Nigerian videos entitled ‘Owambe’ also featuring an installation from visual artist Odun Orimolade. The screening is supported by the Biritish Council

Owambe
The gathering of people in celebration is an important part of the Nigerian culture. The milestones of life are marked through community gatherings, music and dance, with the ‘Owambe’ being a classic example of this. Owambe translates as "He/She was there", a colloquial expression for a party where the who-is-who in the Nigerian society are in attendance. Visual cues tell of ties to a celebrant through fabric materials that provide uniformity and a sense of belonging. The entire scene is illuminated by shimmering headpieces (gele) and brilliantly coloured costumes (aso ebi), all creatively embroidered and worn with accustomed grace. Reciprocity is practiced in that giving flows in all directions, from the celebrant to the families and the guest; there exists a commonality in the dispersal of gifts.

The Video Art Network Lagos collaborated with invited Nigerian video artists to explore/interpret Owambe, and how Nigerian communities and cultures contribute to the wider cultural discourse of the global community.


Participants:
- Oyinda Fakeye
- Jude Anogwih
- Emeka Ogboh
- Uche Okpa Iroha
- Wura Natasha Ogunji
- Buki Bodunrin

Installation:
- Odun Orimolade

Big 60 & International Video Art Festival, Lagos 2014/2015

A Whitespace,
58 Raymond Njoku
SW Ikoyi
Lagos
January 22nd 7pm

In 2014, VAN Lagos was invited as one of the art organizations at the International Artists Initiated (IAI) project, presented by the David Dale Gallery and Studios as part of The Glasgow 2014 Cultural Programme. This took place alongside the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow Scotland.

This is a video installation that simulates an Owambe ambience. Owambe translates as "He/She was there", a colloquial expression for a party where the who-is-who in the Nigerian society are in attendance. Visual cues tell of ties to a celebrant through fabric materials that provide uniformity and a sense of belonging. The entire scene is illuminated by shimmering headpieces (gele) and brilliantly coloured costumes (aso ebi), all creatively embroidered and worn with accustomed grace. Reciprocity is practiced in that giving flows in all directions, from the celebrant to the families and the guest; there exists a commonality in the dispersal of gifts.

As part of this expanded screening and in partnership with A Whitespace the Video Art Network Lagos is pleased to host the International Video Art Festival Lagos running from the 18th December 2014 - 15th January 2015.

 Participating artists include, Jude Anogwih, Buki Bodunrin, Oyinda Fakeye, Emeka Ogboh, Wura-Natasha Ogunji and Uche Okpa Iroha.

These artists explore/interpret Owambe, and how Nigerian communities and cultures contribute to the wider cultural discourse of the global community.
Our guest country in this edition is Indonesia with films generously made available by OK Video. This screening features 10 years of video art in Indonesian.
The programme is being organised and curated by the Video Art Network, Lagos and OK Video , Indonesia with the support of the British Council.

About the Organisation:
The Video Art Network Lagos (VAN Lagos) is a Lagos based New Media art organization, established by the collaborative efforts of artists Emeka Ogboh, Jude Anogwih and cultural producer Oyindamola Fakeye. The organizations objectives are to develop educational and public programmes that promote and create new media art awareness in Nigeria. This is realized through curated screenings and exhibitions of both established and emerging New Media artists.

 For more information: www.vanlagos.org 

OK Video is one of the division of Ruangrupa, a contemporary art organization founded in 2000 by a group of artists in Jakarta which encourages the progress of the idea of art in the urban context and the broad scope of culture through exhibitions, festivals, art laboratories, workshops, research, and the publication of books, magazines, and journals.
In addition to organizing the biennial video festival OK. Video – Jakarta International Video Festival, the division also conducts workshops, production, collection, documentation, and distribution of video art in Indonesia.

For more information: http://okvideofestival.org