Each year, a French-American photography commission Immersion gives selected photographers from each country an opportunity to work on a project in the other’s homeland, fostering cultural exchange. Vasantha Yogananthan, a renowned French photographer, chose to immerse himself in New Orleans last year, taking the concept of immersion to heart by becoming part of a vibrant community of children during their daily summer camp activities. In Louisiana, where the scorching heat extends summer holidays to three months, Yogananthan dedicated ample time to building rapport with the kids before capturing their moments, reaching a point where they would forget his presence. What captivated him was how, each morning in a yard no larger than a basketball court, these children would craft their own intricate society. Yogananthan predominantly photographed towards the end of his stay, just as the carefree days of summer began drawing to a close.
This particular image exemplifies Yogananthan’s portfolio, with the majority of his shots being taken from the ground level to authentically convey the world of these children. The series, titled Mystery Street, will be exhibited alongside work from two other photographers later this month in New York. Within Yogananthan’s collection, play embodies its own significance, where innocence and imagination merge. When discussing the photos with one of the sponsors of the commission, the Henri Cartier-Bresson Foundation, Yogananthan expressed his intention to convey the ephemeral and delicate nature of childhood. He recognized that in New Orleans, the memory of Hurricane Katrina still reverberates, endowing the city with a unique backdrop. Yogananthan labels his work as “post-documentary,” as none of the images were staged. Distanced from any discernible geographical context, they seamlessly blend into the children’s own perceptions of time and space.
Immersion: Gregory Halpern, Raymond Meeks, and Visantha Yogananthan is on display at the International Center of Photography, New York from 29 September to 8 January 2024. Don’t miss this captivating exhibition!
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