Nuits Balnéaires (@nuits_balneaires)

Aperture has long been a source of inspiration throughout my journey, and it’s an honor to see my work featured in the Liberated Threads issue, graced on the cover by a portrait from Seydou Keïta, an icon whose images continue to awaken and inspire so many of us. In her beautiful essay “The brooding, buoyant intimacies of Nuits Balnéaires,” @tianareid brings light to my visual practice, drawing connections between older and more recent archives, my path through the Abidjan and Grand-Bassam scenes, and the strength of the artist communities that nourish me. Thank you @michaelfamighetti and the @aperturefnd team for the space to share and reflect. And to all my friends and collaborators, thank you for breathing life into all the images included in this feature: From Infinite Stories for Yua Hair, 2024 Creative Direction and Styling: Marie-Céline Agossa Photography: Nuits Balnéaires Set design: Nahoua Sorho Model: Jones, Fat Seck Hair: Yua Hair x Institut Adiss Abidjan Production Management: Félix-Édouard Kouassi Location: La Manzane – Yoanh Azema Special thanks to Hybride Studio and Lafalaise Dion From Dreaming, Ivory Coast, 2020 Model: Freddy Ablé Keren Lasme et Noella Elloh, Ivory Coast, 2018 Guy Martial, Ivory Coast, 2018 La Fleur D’Appolonie (Scent of Appolonia), 2021 Model: Marc Angathe

Seaįng Paradise.

Surf Côte d’Ivoire et l’Institut Français de Côte d’Ivoire vous donne rendez-vous le 22 Janvier 2025 à 19H pour l’avant-première du film The Rising Dawn, réalisé par Nadi Saddy et Nuits Balnéaires. Dans une région où les divinités de l’océan sont vénérées et craintes, Souleymane Sidibé est l’un des pionniers d’une nouvelle ère pour le surf en Côte d’Ivoire. Il inspire la jeunesse à surmonter les inégalités et les barrières culturelles pour accéder au pouvoir transformateur du surf. The Rising Dawn révèle des vagues inexplorées, des paysages éthérés et célèbre le dynamise des communautés qui façonnent la culture surf du pays à travers un voyage fascinant. Bande Originale par Steven Amoikon & Safe Travel Réservez vos places, lien RSVP en bio

Le grand soir Infinite stories. A three part series exploring elements of the Yua Hair universe. Story one - YUA : SUN Full story now available on @nataalmedia along with an article with words by @chantalsackey 🤍 Creative direction and styling: Marie-Céline Agossa @ahousemenou Photography: Nuits Balnéaires @nuits_balneaires Set design: Nahoua Sorho @nahouaspeed Model : Fat Seck @fatou.seck35 , @efsane_and_jones Hair : Yua Hair x Institut Adiss Abidjan Production management : Félix-Édouard Kouassi @fedouk Location : @lamanzane – Yoanh Azema @lamanzane Special thanks to @thehybridestudio and @lafalaisedionn

We are proud to introduce 3 images from our identity story “Infinite Stories” “Infinite Stories” is a photo series composed of three stories exploring textured hair through the Yua Hair universe. Drawing inspiration from vintage West African portrait photography and global influences, it celebrates Francophone West Africa, particularly Côte d’Ivoire and its rich beauty and fashion heritage, while highlighting cultural exchange. Story 3 introduces a retrofuturistic twist, reflecting our vision of using the past to shape the future. The name “Infinite Stories” is a reference to Yua Hair’s commitment to exploring the multitude of perspectives around textured hair. This project is a collaboration with an all-Ivorian team, featuring fashion by African designers and shot at La Manzane, a cultural hub in Grand-Bassam, Côte d’Ivoire. Directed by Yua Hair founder Marie-Celine Agossa and photographed by Ivorian visual artist Nuits Balnéaires, it showcases local talent both behind and in front of the camera with set design by Nahoua Sorho, production by Felix Édouard Kouassi and furniture by Saanko Studio. Our models are young Ivorian talents Fatima Kouamé ( @fatimakouame ), Fat Seck ( @fatou.seck35 ), Lauryn Seba ( @s.lauryn_ ), Efsane & Jones ( @efsane_and_jones ) Special thanks to Lafalaise Dion, Olooh Concept, Hybride Studio, Saanko Studio and @yoanhazema_ . The full story will be available on @nataalmedia soon ✨. 1. “I, myself am the sun” Creative direction and styling: Marie-Céline Agossa @ahousemenou Photography: Nuits Balnéaires @nuits_balneaires Hair: Yua Hair x Institut Adiss Abidjan Set design: Nahoua Sorho @nahouaspeed Model: Efsane @efsane_and_jones Production management: Félix-Édouard Kouassi @fedouk Location: La Manzane - @lamanzane Special thanks to @oloohconcept 2-3. Hairtrospection Creative direction and styling: Marie-Céline Agossa Photography: Nuits Balnéaires Set design: Nahoua Sorho Furniture: Saanko Studio @saankolestudio Model: Fat Seck Hair: Yua Hair x Institut Adiss Abidjan Production management: Félix-Édouard Kouassi Location: La Manzane @lamanzane Special thanks to Lafalaise Dion 3. Ton pied, Mon pied

Realms Beneath The Veil, Bognan I, N'vavilé II. Installation views for the exhibition “Restitution... et après” , presented at @institut.francais.mainz and curated by @cheriabyrr .

Realms Beaneath The Veil  | Large-scale installation ( 8,40 M x 3,60 M ) On view until June 6 at Institut Français Mainz. The installation combines works from my Redemption series, Scarlet Bright Light and my ongoing research work on the artifacts of the first N'vavilé King Bognan I. This installation is inspired by my investigations into mythological marine entities and how they survive in the collective imagination of communities in the Gulf of Guinea. It underlines the survival of culture and our immaterial heritage across time. This work is part of my proposal for the group exhibition on the theme of restitution “Restitution... et après”, imagined and wonderfully curated by Cheria Essieke, founder of New Afro. Many thanks to the New Afro team, and the Institut Français de Mayence. With the support of the German Ministry of Culture. L'installation combine des œuvres de mes séries Rédemption, Scarlet Bright Light et mes recherches en cours sur les artefacts du premier Roi N'vavilé Bognan I. Elle s'inspire de mes investigations sur les entités mythologiques marines et comment elles survivent dans l'imaginaire collectif des communautés du Golfe de Guinée. Elle souligne la pérennité de la culture et de notre héritage immatériel à travers le temps. Cette œuvre fait partie de ma proposition pour l'exposition collective autour de la thématique de la restitution "Restitution... et après", imaginée et merveilleusement curatée par Cheria Essieke fondatrice de New Afro. Merci à l'équipe de New Afro et à l'Institut Français de Mayence pour cette expérience mémorable. Avec le support du ministère de la culture allemand.

J'ai eu le privilège de discuter avec  @marwasiamabdou sur  @radiocanada au sujet de ma première exposition solo au Canada, United in Bassam, qui présente le pouvoir des alliances entre les sept familles fondatrices de la communauté N'zima de Grand-Bassam. I had the pleasure of discussing with the amazing  @marwasiamabdou on  @radiocanada about my first solo exhibition in Canada, United in Bassam, which showcases the power of alliances between the seven founding families of the N'zima community of Grand-Bassam. UNITED IN BASSAM is presented by @blackartndialog , @contactphoto , @tolivegram , and curated by @mariah_khalissa. Exhibition on view at the Meridian Arts Centre. Link to the full conversation in my story.

Window into Bassam, Large Scale Installation - Billboards at College St and Delaware Ave. The installation evokes a profound sense of connection and continuity, inviting viewers to engage contemplatively with their environment. The artist’s works beckon transformation and empowerment amidst Toronto’s cityscape, amidst erased histories and geographies. Window into Bassam serves as a bridge between the histories and lived experiences of Grand-Bassam and Tkaronto/Toronto, enriching the viewer’s understanding of cultural interplay and personal significance. Curated by Mariah Coulibaly Presented by CONTACT Photography Festival in partnership with BAND. Supported by PATTISON Outdoor Advertising. Adahonlin 2, The Power of Alliances, 2021 Crépuscule 4, Crépuscule ( From Gida Journal Vol I Cover Story ) Nuits Balnéaires, Window into Bassam, 2024, installation view, billboards at College St and Delaware Ave. Courtesy of the artist and CONTACT Photography Festival. Photo: Toni Hafkenscheid

What a beautiful moment to be able to photograph Cktrl, Makhtar, Kish & Marcus during their stay in Grand-Bassam at La Fourchette de Roze. I witnessed the expansion of the residency created by @rozetraore , and marveled at the vibrant melting pot that this platform enables, reinforcing Grand-Bassam's position as a wonderful cultural crossroads. Cultured Article | Words by @texasjaynesawmassacre | Fashion by The One and Only @laurenceairlineofficial In the fifth image, @cktrl is wearing @djainin . 🤍

Hier soir a eu lieu à Abidjan le lancement officiel du livre rétrospectif sur l'œuvre de Patheo, fruit de 4 ans de travail des éditeurs Patrick Frey, Flurina Rotherberger et Hammer. Je suis encore en admiration devant la qualité exceptionnelle du travail réalisé pour la création de ce livre. Je suis très honoré d'avoir été invité à créer une série de photographies pour cette belle publication célébrant ce pilier de la mode ivoirienne. Merci à Flurina, Hammer, Patheo, Le Gouverneur de Yamoussoukro, L'Hôtel Président, La Fondation pour la Paix et l'incroyable équipe qui a rendu cette série possible, Famas, Fatima, Irma, Yann, Kiela. Last night was the official launch in Abidjan of the retrospective book on Patheo's oeuvre, the fruit of 4 years' work by the editors Patrick Frey, Flurina Rotherberger and Hammer. I'm still in awe of the colossal amount of work that went into creating this book. I am very honored to have been asked to create a series of photographs for this beautiful publication celebrating this pillar of Ivorian fashion. Thanks to Flurina, Hammer, Patheo, The Governor of Yamoussoukro, L'Hotel Président, La Fondation pour la Paix and the incredible team who made this series possible, Famas, Fatima, Irma, Yann, Kiela. Love! Softcover, 462 pages, 360 color images 28 × 21 cm Designer: Hammer Editor: Pathé'O, Flurina Rothenberger, Hammer, Catherine Morand With an interview by Catherine Morand and texts by Chayet Chiénin, Denise Epoté, Anne Grosfilley, Genevieve Hill-Thomas, Pépita Kragbé-Coulibaly, Célestin Monga, Saidi Mamadou Ouédraogo, Flurina Rothenberger, Filippe Sawadogo and Victoria L. Rovine.

Through this enlightening experience, it was important for us to treat this sensitive subject with a great deal of respect, dignity, and kindness. The various trips I have made to the west of Côte d’Ivoire have enabled me to see the reality of this health condition and the importance of the actions carried out by Unlimit Health. I’m honoured to see this collaboration rewarded, and I hope it will inspire more institutions to choose the continent’s talents to inform the world about their context. At the start of this Women's Month, I hope that this award will give greater resonance to the voices of these brave women who, in their struggle to give life and ensure it lasts, are often the first victims of a healthcare system that needs vast improvement. A travers cette expérience enrichissante, il était important pour nous de traiter ce sujet sensible avec beaucoup de respect, de dignité et de bienveillance. Les différents voyages effectués dans l'ouest de la Côte d'Ivoire m'ont permis de constater la réalité de cette condition pathologique et l'importance des actions menées par Unlimit Health. Je suis honorée de voir cette collaboration récompensée et j'espère qu'elle incitera d'autres institutions à choisir les talents du continent pour éclairer le monde sur leur contexte. En ce début du mois de la femme, j'espère que ce prix donnera plus de résonance aux voix de ces braves femmes qui, dans leur combat pour donner la vie et la pérenniser, sont souvent les premières victimes d'un système de santé qui a besoin d'être profondément réformé. Special Thanks @annapanda___ & @unlimithealth , To my Dream Team @ayl_db @wal_le_prince @angeyoan , @sealmi4ever , The Ministry of Health, and the brave women of Soubré, Yabayo and Okrouyo.