Again this year, Paris Photo aims to welcome the participation of over thirty cultural institutions, organisations and patrons. The Association pour la Diffusion Internationale de l’Art Français (ADIAF), La Maison Rouge, the Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris and the Palais de Tokyo in Paris, the Centre Pompidou in Paris and Metz, the Photographer’s Gallery and the Tate in London, the International Center of Photography (ICP) and the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in New York, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), the Musée d’Art Moderne et Contemporain (MAMCO) in Geneva and the Musée de l’Elysée in Lausanne have already announced their presence at Paris Photo 2011.

SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN PHOTOGRAPHY

After having paid tribute in earlier editions to Germany, the Netherlands, Mexico, Switzerland, Spain, the Scandinavian countries, Italy, Japan, the Middle East and Central Europe, Paris Photo celebrates its 15th anniversary by turning the spotlight on the photographers of Sub-Saharan Africa, from Bamako to Cape Town.

This celebration encompasses all aspects of the fair in 2011. In addition to the presentation of works by African photographers from the Walther Collection, Paris Photo 2011 welcomes the participation of numerous artists from the continent and their galleries, whether based in Africa or elsewhere:

Paul Weinberg, Sam Nzima, Cedric Nunn, G. R. Naidoo, Ranjith Kally, Bob Gosani and a selection of photographs from the magazine Drum, represented by Bailey Seippel Gallery (Johannesburg); Calvin Dondo, Musa Nxumalo and James Barnor, represented by Galerie Baudoin Lebon (Paris); J. D. ‘Okhai Ojeikere, Seydou Keïta and Malick Sidibé, represented by Fifty One Fine Art Photography (Antwerp); Moshekwa Langa, David Goldblatt, Nontsikelelo Veleko, Jodi Bieber and Mikhael Subotzky, represented by Goodman Gallery (Johannesburg); Mama Casset, Rotimi Fani-Kayodé, Abderramane Sakaly, Doris Haron Kasco, Bouna Medoune Seye, Philippe Koudjina, Alain Polo, Jean Depara, Joel Andrianomearisoa and Malick Sidibé, represented by Revue Noire (Paris); Pieter Hugo represented by Michael Stevenson (Johannesburg) and a limited edition of works by J. D. ‘Okhai Ojeikere, represented by Toluca (Paris). André Magnin will explore the rich dialogue between photography and painting through works by Moke, Malick Sidibé, Kura Shomali, Yinka Shonibare, Aimé Ntakiyica, Seydou Keïta, Chéri Chérin, Depara and Romuald Hazoumè.

Paris Photo 2011 will also pay tribute to the role played by the Rencontres de Bamako, which have been held every two years since 1994 and continue to highlight and serve as a catalyst for the photographic work of the continent’s artists.

A special exhibition this year, entitled “African Emerging Photography”, will introduce visitors to the newest generation of African photographic artists: Abdoulaye Barry (Tchad), Mohamed Camara (Mali), Nestor Da (Burkina Faso), Fatoumata Diabate (Mali), Husain et Hasan Essop (South Africa), Uche Okpa-Iroha (Nigeria), Jehad Nga (Kenya / Libya), Nyani Quarmyne (Ghana), Arturo Bibang (Equatorial Guinea) , Baudouin Mouanda (Congo Brazzaville), Zanele Muholi (South Africa), Nyaba Ouedraogo (Burkina Faso).

This exhibition is curated by Michket Krifa and Laura Serani, co- artistic directors of the Rencontres de Bamako, the only biennial devoted to photography from Africa.

Spurred by its raised profile, Paris Photo is reinventing itself and has developed a new identity for the event, structured around four features to be inaugurated this year, which will also give shape to its programming in the future.