Terre de lait, terre de miel

"In the heart of the equatorial forest, you are struck by the architecture, and you feel a strong and upsetting symbolic presence. You can sense that Mobutu is still present in the imagination of the people, and that he is still feared." Gosette Lubondo, 2022.

Gbadolite, in the north of the Democratic Republic of Congo, is the native village of former president and dictator Mobutu Sese Seko. During his regime, the small village became the construction site of a colossal vanity project: a lavish palace complex built in the heart of the jungle, dubbed "the African answer to Versailles". When Mobutu was removed from power in 1997, the town and its palaces were raided and looted. Today, only a shell of the city remains.

Gosette Lubondo takes a keen interest in Gbadolite's heritage and that of the Democratic Republic of Congo in general. In her photography, she introduces us to the abandoned ruins of Gbadolite, using a ceremony inspired by the country's bygone political entertainment shows, which typically featured songs and dances in praise of Mobutu. The brightly coloured costumes and mesmerising choreography of the dancers elicit contemplation and meditation.

Terre de lait, terre de miel, or Tango nde Mokonzi in the Bantu language of Lingala, refers to God's covenant in Leviticus, one of the books of the Torah: "I will give [this land] to you as your possession - a land flowing with milk and honey". The artist alludes to the broken dream that built this jungle city: a promise of plenty, in a place where nothing would ever be too good or too luxurious.