From late October 2026, French Polynesia will host an exceptional cultural event at the Musée de Tahiti et ses Iles, Te Fare Iamanaha: TE MATA O TE FENUA – Heritage & Horizons (“The eyes of the land”).
This major photographic exhibition sits at the crossroads of two celebrations: the worldwide bicentennial of photography and Matari'i i ni'a, the rising of the Pleiades that marks the beginning of the season of abundance. This symbolic and temporal convergence makes November 2026 a singular moment to celebrate the ways we look at the fenua.
Led by Objectif Image Tahiti in partnership with Musée de Tahiti et ses Iles, Te Fare Iamanaha, this project positions Polynesia as an active voice in the global bicentennial celebration, not as a simple exotic backdrop.
TE MATA O TE FENUA questions how the land looks at itself, and how the world looks back.
Memory, traces, heritage: the human and cultural imprint across the landscapes of the fenua.
Openness, travel, circulation of viewpoints: the transformation of Polynesia through its encounters with the world.
The journey is built as a dialogue between photographic series created by members of Objectif Image Tahiti and a curated selection of works by the world‑renowned photographer Jimmy Nelson (official website • Foundation • Instagram) who will be in artistic residence in the Marquesas from June for several weeks.
This device confronts internal and external perspectives to question the contemporary representations of the Pacific and island peoples.
Place Polynesia on the world stage of photography’s 200‑year celebration
Position the fenua as a space for cultural and artistic reflection
Create a flagship event visible locally and internationally
Spotlight Polynesian photographers in dialogue with an international signature
The project will be part of the prestigious programme of the Musée de Tahiti et ses Iles, Te Fare Iamanaha, which joins Objectif Image Tahiti by exhibiting little‑known works by Tahitian photographers from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
A high‑end scenographic route featuring a rigorous selection of large‑format works
An opening night bringing together institutions, partners, media and key figures
Conference, roundtable and masterclass with the guest of honour
Interviews, video capsules, digital portfolios and international press kits
A solidarity component is developed with the guest of honour around the Marquesas:
Validation du concept • Dossiers partenaires • Premiers contacts
Signature des conventions • Confirmation invité d'honneur
Sélection des séries photographiques • Accompagnement éditorial des exposants • Campagne de communication
Production des tirages • Finalisation scénographie
Installation • Vernissage • Conférence • Vente caritative • Ouverture au public
Célébration du Matari'i i ni'a
Affirmer le fenua comme acteur culturel de niveau international. Célébrer la convergence symbolique du bicentenaire de la photographie et du Matari'i i ni'a. Valoriser les créateurs locaux dans un cadre d'excellence.
S'associer à un événement culturel d'envergure unique. Bénéficier de contenus premium à forte valeur ajoutée. Renforcer leur image culturelle et leur engagement territorial.
Discover a landmark exhibition at the heart of Polynesian heritage, and revisit the origins: the worldwide bicentennial of photography and the early encounter of this major art form in Tahiti. Access unprecedented cross‑perspectives on the fenua. Join a collective celebration during Matari'i i ni'a.
A conversation about the cultural scope of the TE MATA O TE FENUA project, the question of viewpoints (internal/external), photography’s bicentennial and Matari’i i ni’a, and how an exhibition can become an act of affirmation rather than a showcase.