Haïti

Description

It was in 1984 that Bruce Gilden first visited the island of Haiti, during the famous Mardi Gras celebrations.

Bruce Gilden discovered a poor country, plagued by numerous natural disasters, but rich in unique energy. Gilden began, as was his habit, by straying from the beaten track. He decided to explore the island via winding paths, which led him to meet people from all corners of the island and encounter situations he might not otherwise have seen. With this series, published in 1992 and supplemented here with nearly half a dozen previously unpublished images, Bruce Gilden completes his photographic trilogy: after Lost and Found (2019) and Cherry Blossom (2021), Haiti brings the journey to a close. He visited the country he loves so much 22 times, tirelessly documenting the daily life of Haitians, their history and their territory.

From market vendors in big cities to night owls and funerals, Gilden strives to capture Haitian culture and its photographic richness. In his own unique, direct and unpretentious way, the American photographer immerses us in a world where magic reigns supreme. The images will be accompanied by an essay written by a contemporary Haitian author yet to be determined.