We know of the African influences in Brazil and the Caribbean, but what do we know about the presence of black populations in Andean South America? Africa-America is a photographic journey examining the traces of Africanness in the black diaspora of the Andes. Starting in the 16th century, the plantation economy in Spanish America developed along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts with the massive importation of African slaves. Today is a turning point for these Afro-descendant populations as they publicly express the plurality of their cultures, which blend indigenous, Spanish and African influences, and also as they look for a place in these countries where they remain the minority. With varying degrees, they are all in search of their African roots, which they know little or nothing about. Africa-America touches on the black populations of Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia and Chile.

A historian by training, Philippe Guionie’s documentary photographs explore themes of memory and identity.

Exhibition
Philippe Guionie - Africa-America
From October 13th to November 24th, 2012
L'imagerie
19, rue Jean Savidan
22300 Lannion - France

Edition
Africa-America
Texts by Christian Caujolle and Jean-Christophe Rufin
Editions Diaphane
200 pages, format 28/28 cm
(French, English, Spanish)
ISBN: 978-2-9190-77-07-6
45 €