Another land mark has been made in the photography as ‘Eko Moves’, an exhibition of 25 photographs by German trained fashion and advertising photographer, Yetunde Ayeni Babaeko, captures the beauty of dance, movement, time and space within the vibrant, always thriving megacity of Lagos, opened at Wheatbaker Hotel, Ikoyi recently.
This impressive body of works is a visual chronicle of two year journey during which Ayeni Babaeko challenged dancers of the Nigerian dance group, the Society for the performing Arts of Nigeria, SPAN, to leave the comfort of their studios and expertly lit stages and dance through the markets, the bus stops, the beaches, the under-bridged-spaces, the water highways and shanty towns of Lagos for the people of Eko.
‘Eko Moves’, the fusion of photography and dance is sure to drive across its intending message to viewers as it showcases iconic images in refreshing new ways as Ayeni Babaeko throws a bizarre spin on typical quotidian scenes such as the famous Obalende bus stop, the bustling Balogun market or during the sunset at Sandfill beach by having dancers silently pose in classical ballet attire, or whiz through the scene with Hip Hop speed.
What therefore makes Ayeni-Babaeko photographs ‘unusual’ is that the scene captures both the dance and the unassuming audience gathered to watch the spectacle of performance.
“I want to portray Lagos in a way we have never seen it before, says Ayeni-Babaeko. “It is almost like the dancers’ jumps elevate the spectator from the hard realities of life in Eko, making the viewers feel weightless and bringing a sense of hope to a sometimes seemingly hopeless situation.”
She explains that it was amazing how the dancers’ performances on the streets were able to build bridges and during the photo-shoots, which often lasted numerous hours in a single location, they were not harassed by anyone. Instead, there was a curiosity and absolute admiration.
While shedding more light on Eko Moves, Sandra Mbanefo Obiago, the exhibitor’s curator and a documentary film maker, who has showcased the artistic works for Babaeko and SPAN, says Eko Moves is a beautiful convergence of two different art forms, photography and dance, against the ever moving backdrop of urban growth and development.
“When we see the haunting and stark image from the ‘Dustbin Estate,’ says Obiago, “an undeserved shanty town where SPAN has started dance classes for the talented youths, we realize that this exhibition showcases both photographic and performance artistry, as well as delivers a strong social message on the need for equal education opportunities for all.”
Sarah Boulos, SPAN Founder and CEO says Yetunde’s images using accomplished and novice dancers from SPAN only points a reminder to the fact that the training should be available to everyone.
“These images are also an important step in opening our Agidigba Community Centre in the heart of Lagos Island, within which some of the images were shot. Besides fundraising for a state of the art performing art centre and the academy, we are building community skills centre to reach out to talented youths who might not realize they can dance and don’t have the opportunity to follow their passion and talents,” Boulos explains.
Eko Moves is funded by Deutsche Bank, the Wheatbaker and Ruinart and will be exhibited at the Wheatbaker hotel from December 1, 2014 until mid February 2015.
FUNKE OSAE-BROWN
