On the streets and under water
Saint-Louis is still fighting agains rising sea levels and coastal erosion. These days you see big trucks that frequently bring massive pieces of stone to the coast line with Eiffage financing a new attempt of stopping the ocean from advancing and swallowing up people’s homes. I took these photos in 2019 in connection with an exhibition in which some of my fisherman friends speak out about what is going on in their lives.
I am starting a series of beginnings through various media; alternative photography, short films and text. As far as short films are concerned, “Out of the Box” will be the first one out (of a larger box still, hahhahah) in connection with Soundscapes from the Sahel. What does this mean? It means that I am teasing out improvised beginnings of stories of fictional characters, inspired by my relatively large archive of photos. You know how it goes, when you suddenly look back at some photographs that you took years ago and you immediately reconnect with the time and place of the photo. But what if someone who does not know you nor the background of the photo would interpret what the story behind a particular photo is. That is what I want to play with. Stay tuned!
I’ve always had a soft spot for railways, trains, railway bridges and particularly that noise under the bridge when a train passes… I just love the comfort of this most beautiful way of traveling. It is such a shame that the connection between Saint-Louis and Dakar has been lost, for decades now. Some years ago we created a flash mob with local youth and wanted to remind everyone, particularly the decision makers of the municipality, that the town owns a beautiful station building that is falling apart and has been swallowed up by the local market. This beautiful building could be maintained and – ideally – put into good use with and by local cultural actors. We handed out tickets in advance to the train that would arrive on one Saturday morning from New York (!) on its way to Dakar. Then our actual human train would arrive and perform theater and dance at the entrance of the station. I remember that some market sellers were genuinely a little alarmed in advance because their mountains of onions would literally be on the tracks, right where they had always been for years. Perhaps it would be a good time to create a flash mob Edition II with something much more dramatic, as our first attempt went unnoticed by the city hall. We did have fun with the crowds at the market though.
Here’s a few more photos from the gallery space and the current exhibition: photography by Cheikh Beye. It’s so good to have the gallery open again!
Fragments of the work of Cheikh Beye
Cheikh BEYE (1932 – 2012) from Thiès began his career as a photographer in Dakar in 1950. From 1954 he was the manager of the company Euréka-Photo in Thiès.
His photographic work consists, among others, of studio portraits but also press photos of the political sphere, sporting events etc. Naturally, in the city of railways, workers and the activities around the station figure in a large part of his photos.
We would like to thank the Beye family in Thiès for allowing us to show this work.
Fragments de l’oeuvre de Cheikh Beye
Le Thiessois Cheikh BEYE (1932 – 2012) commençait sa carrière comme photographe à Dakar en 1950. À partir de 1954 il était gérant de l’entreprise Euréka-Photo à Thiès.
Son oeuvre photographique consiste, entre autres, des portraits d’atelier mais également des photos de presse de la sphère politique, des événements sportifs etc. Naturellement, dans la ville du rail, les cheminots et les activités autour de la gare figurent dans une grande partie de ses photos.
Nous remercions la famille Beye à Thiès.
Galerie Éthiopique organizes exhibitions, end-of-residency events and film screenings at Rue Potin X Abdoulaye Seck Marie Parsine in Saint-Louis of Senegal. More information: Tel. +221 77 143 88 90 or info[at]ethiopiques.gallery
After a long Covid-19 hibernation, Galerie Ethiopiques will re-open soon in a bright L-shape space in Rue Potin X Abdoulaye Seck Marie Parsine. Our season will – so we hope – properly ignite in the autumn but we will be starting with a photo exhibition “Eureka Photo” already on 1st of April. This will give you the opportunity to see also our co-working space and cafeteria where you can have a pause and sip a cappuccino, tea or a fresh fruit juice.
If you would like to follow Galerie Ethiopiques and its events in the future, have a look at our Instagram page or Facebook page, as well as our website. You can also stay informed with what’s going by following this blog via #ethiopiques.
Looking forward to seeing you very soon!
Galerie Éthiopique organizes exhibitions, end-of-residency events and film screenings at Rue Potin X Abdoulaye Seck Marie Parsine in Saint-Louis of Senegal. More information: Tel. +221 77 143 88 90 or info[at]ethiopiques.gallery
Il était une fois… le train
Photos par Cheikh Beye – Ndar Ndar Music & Café – Ile Nord Saint-Louis
Collaboration avec la Galerie Éthiopiques 18 février – 31 mars
Le Thiessois Cheikh BEYE (décédé en 2015) commençait sa carrière comme photographe à Dakar en 1950. À partir de 1954 il était propriétaire et gérant de l’entreprise Euréka Photo à Thiès. Son oeuvre photographique consiste, entre autres, des portraits d’atelier mais également des photos de presse de la sphère politique, des événements sportifs etc.
Naturellement, dans la ville du rail, les cheminots et les activités autour de la gare figurent dans une grande partie de ses photos.
The Thiessois Cheikh BEYE (died in 2015) began his career as a photographer in Dakar in 1950. From 1954 he was owner and manager of the company Euréka Photo in Thiès. His photographic work includes, among other things, workshop portraits but also press photos from the political sphere, sporting events, etc. Naturally, in the city of rail, railway workers and activities around the station appear in a large part of his photos.
Jarmo Pikkujämsä 