The pictures here exhibited by Pascal Maitre, very recognized by the world, allow to bring, in his own words: “a little light on this black immensity that is sub-Saharan Africa”. Because to alert us to this persistent catastrophe there could be no better choice than “Pascal, the African” Amin Maalouf would say to beat the drum, djembe or dunumba from the villages of Benin or Senegal among the eight countries traveled and resonate until in our luminous “tribe” of Westerners privileged by the genius of Edison.Because not without humor, they chitchat during the frequent selective power cuts, a population of 621 million inhabitants lives the double darkness of the night falling and the opacity of a political will too often absent. Africa exploits only 3% of its hydro-electric potential by producing only 2.6% of world production according to “Le Point Afrique”.
Cruel data behind which hides a reality that Pascal Maitre reveals with passion, modesty and great esteem for these African peoples, fathers, mothers and children full of resourcefulness forced to get light with the oil lamp, to give birth, teach, learn during those inky nights. Black is black and not only in song in Africa left aside of a moving progress …
Outstanding colorist, great landscape and portrait photographer, he never caricature color or skin, Pascal Maitre restitutes the shouting paradoxical truth in 25 images, to better enlighten us about the cruel absence of light that is so lacking on the African continent.
Energy, photovoltaic and wind energy technology solutions are underway, as in the Synergie II solar power plant in Bokhol, Senegal. They have not escaped the expert eye of Pascal Master, the best able to give us to see the urgent needs of Africa.
Alain Mingam – Exhibition curator
President of the PHOTO award Jury AFD
Pascal Maitre – Pascal the African
Exhibition presented in the framework of the highlight Afriques, from May 15 to 19, 2019.
In partnership with the Metz Book Festival – Literature & Journalism and Passages Festival.
Arsenal – 3 avenue Ney, Metz
