“DAHOMEY SPIRIT”

QCEG: Can you share more about this exhibition?

Juliette Agnel: This exhibition is part of Photo Days, where I was given full creative freedom to craft something unique for this iconic space. My inspiration began in Benin, at the Jardin d’Essai, a garden that defies logic - it houses ancient Sahelian plants, relics of a desert landscape from over 3,000 years ago. These plants endured a cataclysmic climatic shift and now thrive in an equatorial climate.

Their story of survival captivated me. The garden’s history, intertwined with the tradition of tintorial plants, compelled me to capture their essence. Working at night, I used LED lights and smoke to transform these plants into glowing symbols of resilience, suspended in a dreamlike, otherworldly realm.

QCEG: Why did you choose to work at night?

Juliette Agnel: Night is a realm of imagination, a threshold to the unseen. In the Jardin d’Essai, the darkness amplified the enigmatic presence of these extraordinary plants. Using vibrant colours and smoke, I could peel back the veil of the ordinary, revealing their spiritual essence and timeless beauty. The night imbued the work with a sense of mysticism, transforming the photographs into glimpses of a parallel dimension.

QCEG: Did the spiritual connection of Benin influence your process?

Juliette Agnel: Profoundly. Benin is the birthplace of voodoo, and to work in the Jardin d’Essai at night, I needed permission through local animist rituals. These ceremonies were acts of reverence, honouring the land, its traditions, and its spirits. They allowed me to engage with the garden on a deeper, spiritual level. Only after this connection was forged did I feel free to create.

QCEG: What makes this exhibition stand apart in your career?

Juliette Agnel: This project is deeply personal. It was conceived solely for the Carrousel du Louvre, yet its roots lie in the untamed beauty of the Jardin d’Essai. The exhibition showcases 11 panels, each a fragment of my journey through this extraordinary place. I owe so much to the women who supported me, especially Marie-Cécile Zinsou, who introduced me to this magical garden.

Smoke has been a recurring element in my work, such as in my photography from Brittany but in Benin, it evolved into something transcendent—a bridge between the physical and spiritual worlds. This exhibition is not just about plants; it’s about survival, transformation, and the invisible forces that connect us to our past and future.

QCEG: What do you hope people take away from this exhibition, and how do you want them to connect with your work on a deeper level? 

Juliette Agnel: Yes, the cornucopia represents growth and prosperity. I wanted to illustrate how Jingdezhen’s economic growth intertwines with its rich cultural heritage. In this piece, grapes symbolize abundance and wealth, while the deep blue I chose reflects what I call ‘new antiquity’ where modernity becomes part of history. It’s my way of acknowledging that what’s new today will become a part of Jingdezhen’s story tomorrow.

QCEG: This work is a celebration of history, nature, and imagination - a hymn to the enduring spirit of the earth and its silent stories. Through these photographs, I hope to inspire others to see beyond the surface, connect with the unseen, and marvel at the resilience of life itself. 

Juliette Agnel: Certainly! That piece is all about the city’s journey through time. As you move around the vase, it feels like you’re travelling through history—you can see how Jingdezhen has evolved, from its thousand-year-old origins to its present-day form. The river I painted flowing through the vase symbolizes this journey, linking the past with the future.

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