A few words about your artistic career
I learnt photography when I was very young from my uncle, whose studio was the only one in the city in the 1990s. I assisted him and we photographed people's lives. It was only natural that I should pursue a career as a photographer.
How long have you been an artist?
I became a professional photographer in 2011 during the crisis in Côte d'Ivoire.
Why did you apply for this scholarship? How will the scholarship support you?
I applied for this grant because Africalia is an excellent partner, to spread the message I'm getting across through this project and also to publicise my work. The grant is a great financial support that will enable me to complete my budget and carry out this PALUCOVID project.
What are your concrete artistic objectives after this residency?
The aim is for this photographic work to be included in an exhibition to keep a record of the action taken.
What did you achieve during this creative residency? What is the result (work created)? Who was involved in the creative process?
The Africalia grant enabled me to take up a creative residency. My creative process took place in three phases. The first stage involved scouting out sets, casting models and test shoots.
The second stage consisted of the shooting itself in the city of Dakar and in Casamance. The action on the ground aroused a great deal of curiosity and was an opportunity to raise awareness of the need to wear a mask and protect oneself against malaria by avoiding leaving stagnant water around. The mosquito net was presented as a means of protection.
Phase 3 was devoted to selecting and processing the photos, culminating in the work I am now presenting to you, which is a slideshow with a musical backdrop, scrolling through the photos.
How do you think these activities help us to think about the world today, in relation to the COVID-19 crisis, and/or about building for the future?
The statistics agreed that COVID-19 would claim a very large number of victims in Africa. Although this did not happen, it must be admitted that this pandemic revealed the weakness of the health systems and social cover in our countries.
For once, we are witnessing a situation where all countries are concerned: a crisis that threatens the survival of the human race. My activities take place in a context where it's time for introspection on our socio-economic choices and our models of society. It's a favourable environment in which to make proposals and disseminate new ideas in the hope that they will resonate with decision-makers and the general public. My activities reflect this intention, to help bring about a new paradigm where every citizen is treated with dignity, and where collaboration replaces competition.
**How did you feel during the residency? And afterwards?
I had a profound experience during the residency because I realised that covid19 is in some ways the child of globalisation. It now affects every aspect of social life and, above all, the economy, the driving force behind so-called modern societies. Without globalisation and the speed at which people move around today, the virus might have been confined to Wuhan. During this residency I was confronted with the harsh reality of some people living in villages and working-class neighbourhoods who have no space at home to respect the measures of distancing.
The first difficulties I encountered were already with the casting, with no female presence. I had to work on 70% with subjects I already knew well before covid19.
It has to be said that this crisis has made families a little more isolated and difficult to access, and has made people suspicious. I had a hard time because some public places were off-limits. I'm 80 % satisfied with the result, but I think I could do better if we had more time.
[(
Palucovid
)]
Discover the work of Georges Yameogo
