Overview participating exhibitions
Metropolis
2011
Metropolis
Cecile Mella
FICTIONAL CAPE TOWN (South Africa, 2009-2010)
Although smaller than Hollywood, Cape Town also has a lively film industry, albeit they primarily shoot advertising spots for foreign companies who gladly take advantage of favourable bank exchange rates and a sunny climate. For a day or two, parts of Cape Town are transformed into European or American locations. A vineyard becomes a Dutch farmstead, a café a Parisian bistro. Cécile Mella lifts the veil on these attractive and often funny illusions, but in a characteristic mountain or building the attentive viewer can still catch a glimpse of Cape Town itself
Biography
Cécile Mella (France, 1983) studied philosophy, history and film in France prior to taking a Masters course in photojournalism at the University of Westminster. As a freelancer she has lived and worked successively in England, South Africa and France. Her work has appeared in a number of publications, including The New York Times, Horizons, The Sunday Times, Wanderlust and Cape Times.