ANALOGUE NOW! - SHOW & TELL




BERLIN, GERMANY / 2023
Analog photography biennial

Exhibition
Speech
Photography



LINK TO PHOTO SERIES ︎




Amidst the bustling energy of the biennial celebration centered around analog photography in Berlin, I was privileged to be chosen to present my photography series, "Yovo." The overarching theme of this gathering, "revelation," struck a chord with my artistic vision.

I was selected for my unconventional approach, which transcends the realm of film development. Rather, my series delves into the revelation of navigating life as a person of mixed race within the intricate tapestry of a black African country.

“Yovo” means White in Fon language.

Why am I bestowed with that label when my complexion doesn't align with the term 'white'? I may be fair, but my identity goes beyond the simplicity of being just white. This series delves into a term that attempts to encompass everything that eludes easy definition—a catch-all phrase deployed to circumvent discussions about origins.

While we openly discuss the diversity of tribes, there remains a conspicuous silence around the subject of foreign blood interwoven with Beninese roots.

'Yovo' serves as a label that can be treated like an object, subjected to unwarranted inquiries. It echoes with associations of wealth, education, and affluence.

“Yovoooo...” echoes through the streets, children unaware that the same person they address may fluently converse in their dialect. 'Yovo' becomes a word teeming with multifaceted meanings, but who stands behind this label? It extends beyond merely white men, it appears.

This series presents portraits of Métis individuals in Benin, challenging preconceived notions and offering a nuanced perspective on identity, heritage, and the complex interplay of cultures.
                

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