Presented by Villa Albertine, the Friche la Belle de Mai, and Emory University in partnership with the High Museum of Art of Atlanta, and curated by Maria L. Kelly, the exhibition is held from the 17t
Presented by Villa Albertine, La Friche la Belle de mai, and Emory University in partnership with the High Museum of Art Atlanta, curated by Maria L. Kelly, the exhibition runs from September 17 to November 20.
The exhibition marks the achievement of the City/Cité Atlanta x Marseille platform launched in 2022, putting in dialogue two major southern cities shaped by layered histories, migration, and strong cultural identities.
Four artists, who completed residencies abroad, present new works developed through immersion and exchange. Marseille-based photographers Yohanne Lamoulère and Geoffroy Mathieu traveled to Atlanta, a major center for African American culture and a fast-growing metropolis. On the other hand, Atlanta-based artists Nydia Blas and Joshua Dudley Greer spent time in Marseille, an open port on the Mediterranean Sea with a cultural melting pot yet also marked by geographical and social divisions. Through photography, each artist navigated unfamiliar terrains, using the medium as a tool for meetings, observations, and reflections.
In Atlanta, Yohanne Lamoulère immersed herself in high school marching bands, producing portraits and dynamic scenes that capture discipline, pride, and collective energy. Geoffroy Mathieu explored the sprawling, car-oriented city on foot, documenting improvised pedestrian routes and the individuals who move through terrains not designed for walking.
In Marseille, Nydia Blas collaborated with teenagers working at La Friche la Belle de Mai, creating intimate, co-authored portraits that reflect the city’s multicultural identity. Dudley Greer focused on Marseille’s varied neighborhoods and rocky landscapes, tracing subtle intersections of past, present, and future across its 111 districts.
Together, the four perspectives reveal unexpected resonances between Atlanta and Marseille while emphasizing their distinct geographies and histories.
The residencies and exhibition could not have happened without the generous support and dedication of Villa Albertine, Friche la Belle de Mai, Emory University and the High Museum of Art. The exhibition is supported by Etant donnés, a program of Albertine Foundation and Villa Albertine.
