When photographer moved a megacity with “Eko Moves”

According to the German-trained photographer, the beauty of dance, movement, time and space within the vibrant, always thriving megacity of Lagos are worth being documented and that was what she has done in the last two years with her camera.She noted that her 48-months sojourn truly encompassed an impressive body of works that enjoyed the […]

According to the German-trained photographer, the beauty of dance, movement, time and space within the vibrant, always thriving megacity of Lagos are worth being documented and that was what she has done in the last two years with her camera.
She noted that her 48-months sojourn truly encompassed an impressive body of works that enjoyed the cooperation of dancers of a Nigerian dance group, the Society for the Performing Arts of Nigeria (SPAN).
“They left the comfort of their mirrored studios, and expertly lit stages, and danced through the markets, the bus stops, the beaches, the under-bridge-spaces, the water ways and shanty towns of Lagos for the people of Eko while I clicked the camera,” Yetunde said.
She added: “What we see is ‘Eko’, the Yoruba name for the city of Lagos, in all its contradictions, with dancers frozen in flight against backdrops that touch on the essence and character of the people and creative spirit of this megacity.”
Asked about the objective behind the initiative, Yetunde said she is desirous of portraying Lagos in a way that has never been seen before.
“It is almost like the dancers’ jumps elevate the spectator from the hard realities of life in Eko making the viewer feel weightless and bringing a sense of hope to a sometimes seemingly hopeless situation,” she said.
While leading journalists to each of the work, the photographer said it was quite amazing how the dancers’ performances on the streets were able to build bridges. She observed that during the photo-shoots, which often lasted several hours in a single location, nobody harassed them. She said if anything, what they got from the public was curiosity and absolute admiration.
In her assessment, veteran exhibition curator, Sandra Mbanefo-Obiago described Eko moves as one that showcases iconic images in a refreshing new way.
“Ayeni Babaeko throws a bizarre spin on typical quotidian scenes such as the famous Obalende bus stop, the bustling Balogun market or during sunset at Sand-filled beach by having dancers silently pose in classical ballet attire, or whiz through the scene with Hip Hop speed.
What makes Ayeni-Babaeko’s photographs ‘unusual’ is that she captures both the dance and the unassuming audience gathered to watch the spectacle of performance,” Obiago said.
Speaking further, Obiago said Eko Moves is a beautiful convergence of two different art forms, photography and dance, against the ever moving backdrop of urban growth and challenges. She noted that anytime the public see the haunting and stark images from “Dustbin Estate”, an  underserved shanty town where SPAN has started dance classes for talented youth, the reality definitely strikes that the exhibition showcases both photographic and performance artistry.
“Yetunde’s images, using accomplished and novice dancers from SPAN, reminds us that this training should be available to everyone,” Sarah Boulos, SPAN Founder and CEO, said.
“These images are also an important step in opening our Agidigba Community Center in the heart of Lagos Island, within which some of the images were shot. Besides fundraising for a state of the art performing arts center and academy, we are building a community skills center to reach out to talented youth who might not realize they can dance and don’t have the opportunity to follow their passion and talent,” Sarah added.
Sarah also noted that SPAN is a 10 year old non-profit dance group which has developed an impressive track record for training dancers of all ages in different forms of creativity, from classical ballet to African, dance, ballroom, salsa and hip hop. “SPAN is using income from dance classes taught at private, well-endowed schools to start building a community centre in Lagos Island, which will offer free dance classes to some of the poorest areas of this sprawling metropolis. Part of the proceeds of the exhibition will support SPAN’s work,” she said.
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.