Paul Kodjo — Photoromance: Abidjan's photoromances are on display at the Palais de Tokyo

Romances also tell the story of an era. In Paris, the Palais de Tokyo presents Photoromance, an exhibition devoted to photographer Paul Kodjo, from 21 October 2026 to 14 February 2027. Coproduced with the Rencontres d’Arles, it revisits the Côte d’Ivoire of the 1960s and 1970s through its photographs and photoromans. Romantic intrigues, fashion trends and nightlife allow us to observe the transformations of Ivorian society up close to its habits and aspirations.

The photoroman is a story told through a sequence of staged photographs, accompanied by captions and dialogue. Paul Kodjo is among the first African photographers to explore this format. His compositions borrow from cinema, imbuing still images with the motion of a narrative, complete with characters and plot twists.

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After a stint in Paris to study and work in photography, he returns to Abidjan in 1970 and founds the agency MAMEDIS, active in photography, cinema, and publishing. His photoromans appear from 1971 in the weekly Ivoire Dimanche. The stories unfold both indoors and in public spaces, offering a snapshot of the habits and aspirations of his contemporaries.

The exhibition at the Palais de Tokyo widens the gaze beyond these fictions. A largely unpublished body of work reveals the Nights of Abidjan, the attire and social dynamics of a period of rapid economic growth, often called the "Ivorian miracle." Curated by Amandine Nana, with Candice Ratsimba assisting and with the scientific guidance of Ananias Léki Dago, the installation traces the photographs back to the photographer’s trajectory.

In a scene crafted to tell a romance, a piece of clothing, a piece of furniture, or a gesture can command as much attention as the plot. It’s up to each person to decide which details they’d like to follow beyond the frame.

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