This creative writing workshop (in French) explores the links between photography, writing and personal memories. Using photographs of places that are dear to them, objects linked to their childhood, and work centred on the body in motion, participants are invited to create intimate, autobiographical narratives. This workshop also examines the concept of the ‘landscape of memento-objects’, developed by Stéphanie Barbetta in her artistic practice.
Participants must bring two photographs of a place that is dear to them (digital or printed). This may be a place where they currently live or have lived in the past. These images will serve as a starting point for an initial personal exploration of writing. The texts produced will then be read aloud as a group. In a second phase, using three objects brought by the participants that are linked to their childhood (paper, perfume, fabric, jewellery, etc.), the workshop will explore the creation of a ‘landscape of memento-objects’. This stage will enable participants to address the concepts of composition, perspective and the fluidity of archives, through photography and writing. Finally, the last part of the workshop will be devoted to the body in motion. Drawing inspiration from sculpture and theatre, participants will create a performative photograph. This image will serve as a starting point for writing a final collective text.
This workshop is organised in collaboration with Bibliothèque de Genève, and will start with a tour of the exhibition Café genevois: la vie même. This one-day workshop is open to anyone interested in creative writing in relation to photography and autobiography, from the age of 16 and up. No prior knowledge is required. The workshop takes place in French.
