»Le Monde de Demain, 84.39 km« Paris 2023
Video Installation 9 monitors, ca. 1:20 h, loop
sound by: DJ Sundae
»Le Monde de Demain, Eman« Paris 2023
5 pigment prints, framed
each 70 x 50 cm
»Le Monde de Demain, Allende/Concorde« Paris 2023
2 pigment prints, framed
each 100 x 70 cm
»Move« In 2023, we worked on »Le Monde de Demain,« as part of ‚Regards du Grand Paris.‘* Our focus was on exploring the relationship between the ‚Banlieue‘ (suburbs) and the ‚Centre‘ (city center) of Paris, particularly in terms of the political and social landscape, urban transformation, and the visibility of various groups of people in this urban space. With a focus on »Paris 2024« and breakdancing, we conducted nine walks through the »Grand Paris« region, covering a total distance of 84.39 km, twice the distance of a regular marathon. In the year celebrating 50 years of hip-hop, our project connected different sites and areas, starting in the north, the birthplace of French hip-hop culture.
During the Olympic Games, breakdancing takes center stage in the city, signifying its transformation into a culturally and economically successful phenomenon. France is now the second-largest market for hip-hop after the USA. Our project explored the transformation of urban spaces, the influence of hip-hop culture, and the impact of the Olympic Games on the dynamics of the Grand Paris region.
»Freeze, Allende/ Concorde« The history of French Hip Hop (and so also French breakdance) started
in St. Denis, in the Cité Allende. It was there that Joey Starr and Kool Shen started NTM Suprême. France is now the second largest market in the world for hip hop and breakdancing is now olympic. For the Olmypic competitions there will be a temporary arena at Place de la Concorde – one of the significant places for breakdance history.
We made brief interventions at these and other relevant locations to French Hip Hop and took a photo at each location. We understand the black square meter of fabric as a stage, a reference to the cardboard often used by breakdancers. This small stage was the place for their visibility, an opportunity for communication and exchange.
»Freeze, Eman« In January 2023, we had the privilege of meeting the contemporary dancer Eman Hussein in Paris. Her movements are inspired by the motions of workers, such as those in car repair shops or on construction sites. Through this shared interest, we realized a wonderful collaboration with Eman, connecting her moves with the idea of dance tutorials from the 1980s.
Katja Stuke & Oliver Sieber
Le Monde de Demain, 9 Walks, 9 Books
3410 pages in 9 books, 1705 colour photographs
210 x 280 x 220 mm, digital offset print
softcover, stapled and hand-glued
edition of 2 + I A.P.