PhotoVogue Festival Echoes: #3 Interview with Claudia Revidat

We created PhotoVogue Festival Echoes to allow those who participated in the event to contribute their voices to the Festival s narrative. During those days in Milan, we recognised our community s desire to come together and draw inspiration from each other s works. We highly value the sharing of experiences and practices, firmly believing that providing dedicated space to each artist can appropriately acknowledge the outstanding projects exhibited in November at the PhotoVogue Festival.

The third episode of PhotoVogue Festival Echoes is dedicated to Claudia Revidat and her project ‘Women of fire’, part of the exhibition ‘What is Beauty?’. ‘Women of fire’ narrates with a delicate yet powerful gaze the lives of Ethiopian women, exposing their vulnerability and profound courage, and their rooted connection with their environment. Through a thoughtful use of colour and the juxtaposition of natural elements, Claudia Revidat portrays the intricate complexity of these women and the stories they carry within themselves. Her aim is to encourage more understanding and empathy towards different cultures and those who are often marginalised.  

Blindfolded and motionless, like a stone frozen in time, these images encapsulate the harsh reality that even in 2023, young women in the most remote corners of the world continue to suffer from the barbaric practice of female genital mutilation. It is a haunting reminder that despite progress, there are still deep-rooted traditions and beliefs that perpetuate such acts of violence and oppres- sion against women.

In the forest, a woman with a flower delicately held in her mouth, adorned by clay tattoos. These intricate designs, known as "riru," symbolize the demise of an adversary. Traditionally, the act of taking a life was reserved for men, but in more recent times, women have also assumed this role.

1. What is your favorite memory of the PhotoVogue Festival 2023?

My favorite moment was undoubtedly the meeting with the artists from the exhibition, as well as with the PhotoVogue Festival team. It represented an exceptional opportunity to exchange ideas and connect with artists who share a similar sensitivity to mine. 

I also want to highlight the moments of encounter and exchange with all the visitors I interacted with, especially some of them. I was fortunate to share the story of my journey, and it created a deep emotional resonance in them, eliciting strong emotions. I am convinced that the work of artists, especially in imagery, can have a significant impact and bring about change.

Having had the opportunity to live this experience has been not only valuable but also essential as an artist. It has strengthened my belief in the power of art to move and inspire, and I felt a deep gratitude towards the PhotoVogue Festival for making this possible.

2. How did you approach the Mursi tribe, and what led you to portray these women?

I had the opportunity to approach the Mursi tribe through local contacts, including a fixer, a driver, and an armed guard, due to the frequent confrontations they face with other tribes. When I immerse myself in their community, respecting their traditions and culture is of utmost importance to me. My duty is to preserve their stability and not alter anything. However, within the context of my photographic project, which also has a humanitarian dimension, I provide essential supplies for women and children, and sometimes even administer care myself.

What deeply compelled me to represent these women stems intrinsically from my own life experiences, marked by difficult challenges. Representing these women through my lens is to breathe life into a powerful form of femininity. It is to bear witness to their fascinating history, their beauty, and their resilience in the face of adversity – all of which profoundly inspired me. In each of them, I saw symbols of strength and determination, and I felt a powerful need to tell their stories through my images, shedding light on their reality and the challenges they face. These women embody universality and the perfect harmony between the body and nature. My artistic approach, in portraying them this way, becomes a means of raising awareness about the challenges women, regardless of their cultural context, may encounter.

My photographic work aims to illuminate their inner and outer beauty, as well as their resilience. It offers a glimpse into the complex realities they confront while creating a powerful resonance in my own life. By representing them, I find a way to transform my personal experience into a source of inspiration, not only for myself but also for others. Each of my photos is imbued with this deep connection and shared understanding.

Along the river, a young Mursi with a flower stands guard against imminent danger.

An awe-inspiring warrior woman, radiating her majestic splendor. Their houses, constructed with corrugated iron, stand tall like resilient armor, enveloping them in protec- tion. They serve as a tangible symbol of the unwavering spirit of these women and their ability to endure in the face of adversity. Within these walls, stories of perse- verance and survival unfold. The echoes of laughter, the sharing of wisdom, and the support of a tight-knit commu- nity reverberate through the air. These houses are more than just physical structures; they represent a sanctuary where these women find solace and gather strength.

3. In your work, bright colours and layers hold a central meaning in evoking and conveying deep feelings and imaginaries. They don’t hide the subjects but instead exalt them. How does this process usually work for you, and why did you choose this ethereal way to “amplify the voices of those who are often marginalised”?

My creative process applies not only during the initial production but also in post-production, especially in the darkroom, where I meticulously retrace my emotions. It s a way for me to revisit my journey from a fresh perspective and rewrite the heroines stories. Instead of concealing them, these vibrant colors and harmonious layers bring them to the forefront, creating an additional narrative dimension that makes them more vibrant, adds more context, and makes them more expressive, thereby crafting a sense of motion in the image.

Why did I choose this ethereal approach to "amplify the voices of those who are often marginalized"? It s because I firmly believe in art s power to evoke emotions and tell stories in a compelling way. By creating attention-grabbing images through vivid colors and overlays, I aim to capture the essence of my subjects and give them a striking visual presence. This allows viewers to emotionally engage with the people I photograph and connect with their stories on a deeper level. Ultimately, my goal is to use art to inspire change and encourage mutual understanding. By visually highlighting the voices of the marginalized in this way, I hope to contribute to creating a more inclusive and empathetic world.

4. Is there an upcoming project you are working on?

Certainly! I am currently immersed in several exciting projects. I m in the process of writing a book titled "Women of Fire," which focuses on my most recent project in Ethiopia. This book combines images with narratives based on my own travel experiences, intertwined with the stories of women in the Mursi tribe.

Furthermore, in February 2024, I have an upcoming photography expedition to Uganda. I m preparing two new photography series, each set in distinct regions of the country. During this journey, I will explore fresh and thought-provoking themes, including childhood, fertility, and the challenges that men face. Stay tuned on my Instagram for upcoming updates!

This image resonates with a feeling of profound content- ment and equilibrium, as women wholeheartedly embrace their roles as guardians of nature. It encapsulates the flawless symbiosis between women and the natural world.

These women stand as the entrusted custodians of the land, bearing the sacred responsibility of safeguarding its beauty and securing its vitality for the generations yet to come. This portrayal serves as a testament to the unyield- ing resilience, wisdom, and inherent strength that women embody as they gracefully navigate the intricate equilibri- um between humanity and the environment.