African Cities: A Visual Immersion. The exhibition & counter-exhibition

Dan Sanaren, Miriam Périer

Heading out into the field—whatever that may entail, whether with a camera or simply a mobile phone in hand—is at the heart of the research approach adopted by many researchers in the humanities and social sciences. These scholars do not necessarily claim to practise the art of photography, but rather use visual means to document the experiences they encounter on the ground: places, contexts, situations, environments, or even infrastructure.

The photographs accompany, enrich and complement what is more difficult to convey through text alone. However, these photographs also convey particular perspectives, often on subjects linked to the researchers’ interests and their scientific projects.

The exhibition African Cities: A Visual Immersion, supported by Sciences Po’s Africa Programme, showcases the work of researchers studying urban spaces in all their diversity. It highlights the various themes at the heart of the researchers’ inquiries: how populations adapt to urban life, infrastructure and its place in the collective imagination, and the individuals who stand out from the constantly shifting crowds.

This exhibition is also part of a wider reflection at CERI, which examines the place of art—and in particular photography—in the humanities and social sciences, and which has been taking place annually for several years in the form of the CERI Field Photography Prize and the seminar Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences of the International.

Visit the exhibition and counter-exhibition here.