The 2025 edition of this photo festival in Arles proved rich in stunning exhibits, and therefore we comment on this event in a series of further reports.
Ikwewak woman, Aïcha, photographed by Caroline Monnet
Photography can do many things. Not only does it freeze and conserve for history a fleeting moment that is gone forever, which gives it metaphysical qualities; it can also correct and re-interpret and reshape our human history.
This is exactly what photographer Caroline Monnet does. She is born in 1985 to an Algonquin mother and a French father, which led her to reconstruct with her photography, the societal legacy and position of her indigenous mother and the indigenous women in general with her work. Not unlike the position of the native people in Australia, also in Canada the indigenous population was subjected to discrimination and cultural oppression by the Canadian government, and this until quite recently.
Ikwewak woman, Emilie, photo by Caroline Monnet
These “First Nations” women now are shedding the European “historical gaze” by reshaping their skewed representation in the collective consciousness. Her photographic work expresses this transition and enhances it.
In her series of photographs, exhibited under the title “Echoes from a Near Future”, she portrays the indigenous woman in all her splendor, eccentricity, pride and charisma. Her approach is quite original and intriguing. She dresses the women in clothing made out of resolutely contemporary clothing, sourced from urban industrial material, safety work clothing and the like. She shapes and designs the clothing however herself, using traditional indigenous patterns with masterful creativity.
This exhibition is located in “La Méchanique générale”, a vast workshop factory building in the Parc des Ateliers, a site originally dedicated to the construction and repair of steam locomotives. Built in the 19th century, the former industrial buildings were renovated by Annabelle Selldorf and are now used for different purposes. The new Tower, viewed here through the windows of the former old “atelier” building, is designed by Frank Gehry, completes the former workshops and is decidedly stunning…
Ikwewak woman, Catherine.
The many talents of Caroline Monnet allow her to adopt this wonderful approach as she is a truly multidisciplinatry artist: she makes films, installations and sculptures.
We show you here some of her images in this exhibit. Her photos are life sized, to express the boldness and regained pride and social presence of the contemporary indigenous women in our society today…
In the next part of this series about les Rencontres de la Photographie in Arles we will take a look in the exhibition around and about Yves Saint Laurent and Photography. Stay tuned!
Hans Knol ten Bensel
