The tourism industry which feeds the "postcard fantasy" and the lack of humanist documentary photographers, invisibilizes a whole facet of the life and people of this country. The intention is to bring a humanistic and inclusive documentary counterpoint, a balance in the representation of contemporary Polynesian society.
The work of a photographer is to document and question the world, to tell its changes and to be as close as possible to the evolution of a society. Through this universal language, our images are tools for reflection and understanding of the present. They are the archives of tomorrow.
Interview about the documentary photography project "Polynesians" at the French Polynesian TV show "Fenua Access" TNTV. (In French) May 2022, Tahiti.
The lack of representation and inclusion of those who live and work on the different islands. The idleness of the youth who follow the march of the world, influenced by the United States and France, distancing them from their traditions and their native Tahitian language, Reo Tahiti. The question of independence in view of the inequalities in relation to the economic advantages of the French metropolitan civil servants, the rise in real estate...
So many reasons why it is more than essential to develop this archive work as a temporal marker of an era, the common memory of a population, of a territory, through the medium of documentary photography and artistic expression.
The second part focuses on portraits, taking up what Richard Avedon had initiated in his "American West" project, an assumed extension of his work. My approach here is not to put myself forward with a singular approach that distinguishes me as an artist but to be as honest and relevant as possible with my subject. This is why I adopt this approach because it serves my project.
It allows me to take pictures of people in situ, as they are in the moment and the white background helps to eliminate the "postcard" effect. The abstraction of the context reinforces this humanist will by allowing a true meeting with these people, this country and this culture in its contemporary representation.
Telling the story of Polynesia through these faces and looks seems to me relevant in this case, breaking with the very prevalent and almost omnipresent tourist image.
Kalel Koven
kalelkoven@gmail.com - +33 (0) 615 69 38 01 - kalelkoven.format.com - instagram.com/kalelkoven
I am looking for any support for that project. Reach me if you need more info. Mauruuru.
Partners: In Frame - HL Agency - Fujifilm France - Outpost
Credits:
Kalel Koven