THE CREATIVE PROCESS OF MICHEL TEMTEME
words SABRINA BOLZONI
The creation of the images by Michel Temteme for his collection “The Flight of Icarus” is the result of passionate dedication, using only a few but essential tools: wood, plexiglass, and an unyielding drive to create. This polyptych comes to life under the vastness of the African blue sky, tracing the athletes’ performance on a plexiglass plate that extends up to three meters underground, allowing the photographer to capture the essence of their “bare feet,” poised to soar towards the unknown challenge of triumph.
For a month, the Alliance Ethio-Française in Addis Abeba hosted this extraordinary structure conceived by Michel, a space where the protagonists of the shoot alternated, bringing to life a series of images that embody courage and determination.
It is truly admirable how, in a country still in the process of economic and social development, where every initiative is a challenge, there is such a strong will and commitment to turning an idea into reality, even with limited means. This initiative should serve as an example to those who, instead, tend to build and demolish ideas simultaneously, without giving them the chance to take flight.
Through his work, Michel Temteme reminds us that art knows no limits or boundaries, and that, even in the most challenging contexts, extraordinary beauty can emerge. True art is not measured by the resources available, but by the vision and determination of the creator. With “The Flight of Icarus,” Temteme not only reveals the evocative power of the image but also invites us to reflect on how vital it is to dream big, to soar high, and, above all, to firmly believe in the possibility of transforming every limitation into an extraordinary opportunity for growth and triumph. In this project, each shot is an ode to courage and resilience, and each photograph is an invitation to never stop believing in one’s own flight.
