Lili Mekdachi, an artist who embodies the essence of raw emotion, creates a harmonious fusion of dance, photography, and movement. Her artistry is a visual experience, it's a journey of the soul, a poetic expression that weaves together memories, landscapes, and emotions. Inspired by the expansive American landscapes she explored with her father, Rami Mekdachi, Lili’s work reflects the deep, contemplative moments shared during their travels. From the sun setting over the Mojave Desert to the red cliffs of Zion, each scene becomes a canvas for her art.
For ten consecutive summers, Lili and her family embarked on a remarkable journey across the United States. From Boston to Miami, Seattle to San Diego, these 90 weeks on the road were family trips. They were an intimate exploration of art, movement, and culture. For Lili, the body in motion is a language, a visceral way to translate emotions and capture the essence of existence. Dance becomes her form of storytelling, and through her lens, each frame invites us into a world where movement meets nature.
As a member of the Lola James Harper artistic family, Lili's film photography captures the vintage aesthetic of America's vibrant landscapes. Her images are a visual symphony, blending the nostalgia of the American dream with the raw beauty of its natural wonders. Each photograph feels like a dance, a delicate balance between culture, nature, and the universal emotions that connect us all.
In Lili’s universe, clothing attires. It becomes a costume, an extension of the movement, shaped by the wind and light. Each landscape transforms into a stage, where the captured moment is a fusion of body, space, and fabric. Whether in the heart of the Zion desert, under a blazing sun, or amid the golden dunes and twisted pines, Lili's dance harmonizes with nature. The wild scents of sage and the distant notes of incense fill the air as her graceful movements merge seamlessly with the surrounding elements. The sun's rays highlight each step, turning the dance into a natural ballet, simple and authentic, where the soul finds its echo in the vast beauty of the desert.
This year, as every summer, Lili and her family set out on yet another impromptu road trip, traveling without a fixed destination, driven by the inspiration of the places they discovered. Along the way, they captured the sights but also the scents, songs, and stories of the land. This time, their journey took on an added dimension through a special collaboration with SALUT LES GARÇONS magazine.
The result is a stunning editorial that encapsulates Lili Mekdachi’s vision : an artistic blend of dance, photography, and emotion, set against the timeless beauty of American landscapes. Her choreography is a celebration of freedom, where every movement, every photograph, becomes a tribute to life in constant motion. Grateful for this incredible journey, this collaboration with SALUT LES GARÇONS is a testament to the power of art, movement, and the boundless inspiration found in nature.
In this journey, Lili Mekdachi captures moments. She captures the poetry of the soul, translating it through dance, movement, and the vast landscapes that have always been her muse.
