Little Bighorn, behind the scenes

Installation des sculptures d'Ousmane Sow à Mont-Dauphin

Want to find out all about the genesis of the "Little Bighorn, by Ousmane Sow" exhibition in Mont-Dauphin? Find out here!

Little Bighorn, from Dakar to Mont-Dauphin

Open to the public since July 2021, the exhibition "Little Bighorn, by Ousmane Sow" required the investment of dozens of people, companies and public institutions to bring it to fruition. Here's a look back at the genesis of this wonderful project, and a photo report on the arrival of the works in Mont-Dauphin in May 2021.

2019

Béatrice Soulé, the future curator of the exhibition, (in agreement with the heirs of Ousmane Sow) contacts the Centre des monuments nationaux (CMN) to offer the "Little Bighorn" series as a deposit. Philippe Bélaval (President of the CMN 2012 - 2023) suggested the Rochambeau barracks in the stronghold of Mont-Dauphin. Béatrice Soulé travelled to Mont Dauphin to see the site and assess the feasibility of the project.

Someone from the CMN's Monuments and Collections Department travelled to Dakar to inspect the condition of the works and write a report.

2020

Béatrice Soulé worked on the viability of the project: negotiating and resolving the problems raised by the transport of the works with CMA/CGM and Bolloré, obtaining a partnership with these companies, with subsequent reinforcement from Eiffage; volunteer contribution from the same logistician as for the Pont des Arts exhibition; scenography of the works on plans, to scale and on models; study of the lighting with Olivier Guéneau, presentation of a dossier to the CMN.

Launch of the production (definition of the budget, drafting of the lighting contract, preparation of agreements with patrons for the transport of the works, requests for authorisations for the transport of the works, etc.).

Work sessions and discussions with the Centre des Monuments Nationaux on the layout of the tour.

2021

Work in the Rochambeau barracks (cleaning of the alleyway, installation of decking and railings, electricity, etc.).

Preparation and packing of the works in Dakar (transport will be by container)

16 April: departure of the works from the port of Dakar (by boat)

7 May: arrival of the works in Mont-Dauphin; HGVs are not allowed inside the fortified village, so the works are taken out of the containers in the car park outside Mont-Dauphin and transported to the exhibition space on smaller lorries belonging to the Hautes-Alpes departmental council.

Installation in the Rochambeau barracks (3 days)

Restoration of the works in the Rochambeau barracks and installation of the lighting

Installation of the scenography (picture rails, prints, graphics, labels, TV screen, etc.)

Finishing touches and cleaning

6 July: inauguration