"Au-Delà du Réel" (Outter Limits) The exhibition and my Paris Photo Expo 2015.

I mentioned earlier that I had no experience of such an organization, but now this is finished, the exhibition is open and the 17 artists and their 60 works are displayed. Now we need to follow the event and try to identify the impact of the communication to the press and hope many visitors will come including to the Vernissage

that will take place next Wednesday evening on the 4th November.

If there are sales it would be « the cherry on the cake ».

An artist is someone who always lives in reaction to his surrounding. At the beginning I intended to just present previous works. This choice has also been done by some artists. But in September I found the energy again to produce new images based on the Geode, a rounded cinema of the "Cité Des Sciences". Plenty of ideas came up during the shooting period of the photos. So I decided, to break a rule and have learned to use partially the software «Photoshop». Why make such a change? During the selection of the works I was confronted with the use of photo composition in its diversity. The subject of the Geode itself forced me into that direction because it was quite difficult to produce with that building good « Panoroïds» using a single image, whereas just in employing the symmetry of a mirror the possibilities became multiple. The other reason is that be in a cage of a « No Photoshop User » had no important impact on the sales or my fame. So I decided, to try an experience with this exhibition and see how the public will react to my new creations. Of course the basis of my work remains the « Panoroïds», but I will extend the variety of my photos with Photoshop. This choice should also open gates to participate at many thematic exhibitions.

Finally, I conceived how I would contribute: I would produce a small exhibition within the major show. This was my way to express that between artist and their creative process there are correspondences. In my case the sky, the architecture, Photoshop, the use of software, street art, reversed symmetry, movement, digital photo are things that could be also found in the work of the other exhibitors. There are five pieces exhibited shown is the photo. The two on the right are single Panoroïds. 

The first is called « Bulb Bottle » and present a distortion of the building as I generally do, but here the result is astonishing.

The second work is my first « Installation » called Euréka. It illustrates the principle of reversed symmetry obtained with a mirror. The resulting view presents an electric bulb. This recalls me Edison, and the saying « Et la lumière fut » (And Light became true). By extension it evokes my creativity and the new ideas that came up during that period. The choice of making a package to present the mirror and the photo was logical as there was a volume created initially and it needed to be shaped. The packaging is a mixed of different papers which found an application instead of being thrown to the litter. This reuse is compatible with my present financial situation and the promotion of the COP 21 Conference that will take place in a month in Paris. The result is like a box and the visitor is obliged to look in it to see the bulb. I have written «Boite à idée » (Box of an idea) which is a common expression in French, but usually with idea written in plural form and not single. This box also was a reference to a discussion I had with an other artist about her work which reproduced a « camera obscura » my work being a «camara clara ». Finally, I want to show that I am a Street Art artist so I tagged the packaging. So this box is the only « dirty » 3D object that interacts with the visitor.

The two others photos are "Love Planet (2)" and a "SelfPortrait" using reversed symmetry produced with a software.

 The last photo on the left is « Le Grand Totem » (The Big Totem) is a complete photo composition using plenty of elements all taking their origin in the Géode building. This is a more conceptual and esoteric approach.

All the photos belong to a set called « La Géode en Folie » (When the Géode got mad). « Folie » is the name of the different architectural elements painted red that can be found in the Parc of La Villette.

« Au-delà du Réel » (Outter Limits) my first experience as an exhibition organizer for the Ateliers des Artistes de Belleville, 29 October – 9 November 2015

   

Poster of the exhibition. 

For seven months I have prepared a collective exhibition of photos. The task is not easy because I had no experience in this field, there was not in the beginning a big motivation within the association to participate and this event had been organized in the past with success. I have selected different subjects that  had to be open enough and original. The final choice was for « Au-Delà du Réel » (Beyond Reality).  Next week the exhibition will take place in the gallery of the A.A.B., 17 artists including me will be shown with 55 works. I have provided a large amount of work to advertise the event in the press using Internet.

Before September  I intended to present previous photos because I had not been very creative, but this changed completely when I started to work on a new subject: La Géode, which is a spherical building near the Cité des Sciences a 360° panoramic screen. The exterior of the architecture is covered with metallic tiles that reflect the sky and its environment. I do not know why, but my creativity came back and finally I decided to present a set of four completely new photos.

Love Planet, a photo composition made with a duplicated "Panoroïd" and Photoshop.

In complete contradiction with what I have produced until now I have used Photoshop and photo-compositions for the event. It will be interesting to look at the reactions of the public. I have tried to do my best but the situation in France regarding the art market is so flat, that it is impossible to provide any forecasts. A next post will comment the results of the show. Cross fingers!

Contribution to the « Constellation » project from the A.A.B., Atelier d’Artistes de Belleville,to the Parisian "Nuit Blanche" on the 3rd October 2015.

When I registered by the AAB I wanted to break the circle of my loneliness, but I had no experience of an artistic association nor the practice of collaborating of other artists. For these reasons I had no idea of how things might evolve. I concentrated my action for a commission whose objective is to develop the use of the association ‘s gallery, an open space of about 70 square Meters. So when the idea of producing an event for the Parisian "Nuits Blanches 2015" by Annie Barel with Monique Mathey, two other members who had managed a similar production in 2014, I back up the project. In May we were still doubting about the number of people who would contributors so I decided to produce something for the event that is not a photography. But I am not a graphic engineer nor a painter, so I had to find something original.

 This year the initial thematic was Constellation, but as France will receive the major U.N.O. conference on climate in December it was decided to add that the productions should be connected with the problems related and discussed by COP 21.

Having studied slowly that question I found that there was something odd to try to associate the two things. During the summer a new planet called U452 might be able to become a new earth for human life but it is placed very far from us. So what the point to try to go there? When you consider the amount of energy (and money) that is used and spent to leave earth for space, undoubtedly the ecological consequences are negative. So to reinforce this approach I imagined a time when space would be integrated as an extension of our earth with regular transport networks. As a result to organize the movements in this space of common people you need signs to inform and provide security to the travellers along these roads. So, I imagined signs I would see around me in space when I would be driving my spaceship.

That is how the idea of designing the panels occurred. Then I decided to produce several in different sizes in order to be spread around the space among the « constellations » of the other artists. My productions where in colour and not only white because I wanted to provide coloured elements that would animate the eye of the viewer, and bring him to make a funny and surprising travel from sign to sign. So this was my idea.

The event finally took place and 28 artists contributed to provide an installation. I went there to see the final production the result was very far from what I had in mind.

-     The vast majority of the « constellation »presented had no relation at all with the problem of COP 21-     One artist was presenting a much bigger project that was occupying alone one window,

-     From the seven signs I had offered only one could be correctly read in the middle of the installation, three were placed in the background and needed concentration to be seen

-     My biggest sign was installed outside where there was no blacklight

 But spending time on the site I discovered that this had no importance at all because the public had completed different expectations: it just wanted to have the feeling of seeing something nice and take a photo with a smart phone. They looked at the Constellations just as if it was a shop window from a store in Christmas. With the behaviour of the crowd they had no time to think at all.

 At about nine pm when night was present an artist came dressed like a lighted fairy, in a space of five seconds all the eyes and phones where directed toward him and no one looked at the installation for 15 minutes at least any more.

This is very interesting because our society imagines that communication would work just by producing information. In fact, this model does not work because no one communicate towards the same direction and with the same goals. Artists, private and public organizers and the public are independent components of the system. If you introduce too much control it won't work, artists will not contribute for instance. In our society it is important to communicate, to be referenced in major events to exist. That's all the rest is mere speculation and under no control.

For me this is a very positive experience and I will apply the lessons in my future works.

At least there is "Photoshop" that allows to present what I had imagined.  That is the purpose of the present post.

A new initiative and experience with the AAB, Ateliers des Artistes de Belleville : the Portes Ouvertes (Open Doors 2015), 29th May-1st June.

Even if this post is written in October 2015 I felt the need to enter an artist association in 2014, and made unsuccessful trials that year. In 2015 I subscribed to the AAB the nearest association from my apartment. I did not want an association based on photography because my customers are not photographers, the latter being generally only interested in informations about my shooting technique and forget everything about emotion and the finality of my work.

Their objective is to reproduce it, not for money, but for narcissistic reasons. So after a private presentation to a member of the association I was admitted.   

 Panoroïde without Photoshop. Mestissages, 2014. This suite of photos were presented during the Open Doors 2015 at the Régie de Quartier, 4 rue Robert Houdin, Paris 11ème. 

This association is among the oldest in Paris and became famous in the 70s when they were very active against the architectural projects of that period, which aimed to destroy many old buildings symptomatic of the Old Paris.

Thank you for the local association "Régie de Quartier Fontaine au Roi" for having given me the opportunity to participate to the Open Doors.

To welcome to the new members, we were invited to participate in a small exhibition, called Mini Mix,  that took place in the gallery of the association.  The major event of this association is their Open Doors that take place each year during one week-end  end of May or beginning of June. To participate you need to have a workshop, or a place to exhibit your work alone or collectively. I managed to find quickly a local association that supported this initiative and offered a larger space to present my photos  that I shared with another artist.

Photo from the inside.

The Open Doors took place on the   and globally were positive, even if the space is located south–west from the centre where most workshops are.  Sharing the space with Françoise Gasser also member of the AAB, was a real pleasure and there was no competition between our personalities or works. Globally I sold mostly cheap photos and some large framed ones. The amount of the sale was not very big, but as there was no rent, it paid at least for the printing and framing of the photos.

Beside this event I decided to become active in the association and entered the commission responsible for the agenda of the gallery.

As we say: A bad news never comes alone….

After the previous project I remained no active regarding photography.  As I had participated in an exhibition in October last year,  I planned to reproduce the same initiative this year. 

 A relaxing French landscape along a lake.

That show was interesting  for me as it took place near the Invalides in a part of Paris where I am usually not represented.  Last year we were many amateurs and only few galleries participated in the event. It was organized by an independent photographer and consultant.

I eared that it would take place again in 2015, but it was difficult to subscribe to it. In fact everything had changed: the name of the event, the duration, the organization and the price. Mid July I finally managed to obtain the subscription form and send my participation fee. End August without no news, I sent two emails to confirm the acceptance of my participation.

As a reply I received a gentle text explaining that they had chosen a theme for this year (the body) and that after having looked at my work, they considered that it would be better for my health not to be accepted. My work was not in relation to the theme and of course I would have been very troubled among the other photographer, I even think there might have been a risk for a heart attack! So they would send me back my check.

Of course they never paid for the stamp..., and I still wait for the check.  For the information of the reader, there was nothing in July in the form stipulating the theme. When they received my appliance they did not bother to reply and specify that there were conditions to participate. The only possibilities to see my work are a personal meeting, the booth at La Bastille when I go there, some exhibitions and of course the present blog.

The fact that I might have photos beside related to the objective never occurred to them. The deciders are mature enough to have omniscience and answer any question with their own means without consulting the authors, I suppose. The new organization is a company specialized in communication, they are so good that on the Web the event was almost not promoted….

Another landscape from the same site.

This could just be a comical fact, but in reality it is dramatic because this event was affordable for photographers like me, and initiatives like these are counted on one hand and are disappearing in Paris. I exhibited some photos with the Cercle des Artistes de Paris in Vincennes in 2014 and 2015, but here they will also change in 2016 the system of renting the hall, it will be controlled by a private company.

As a result the present fee of about 200 € for four photos for me  will not be able to remain at this level and the owners of the event are not sure to be able to renew it in 2016. Another comparable event that takes place in Place Saint Sulpice in June is not sure to be renewed next year as the town hall has other projects. I also followed some exhibitions organized by Gallerie #1, and their prices were very correct, they to have increased their conditions and fees.

Photo taken by Karen from G#1 , Business Art Show 2014 Paris October.

 So the accumulation of the three following trends ( the negative evolution of the Parisian market, the behaviour of public authorities and certain associations and the means of the Parisian photographic galleries) will lead to the impossibility to exhibit in Paris at affordable prices. As an artist either you break the law and invade the street and other public spaces without authorization at your own risk or you enter an artist or photographic associations to multiply the possibilities to collaborate in collective or single exhibitions.

I am aged 55, have grey hair and some weight, so guess which choice I have done…. ?

I entered an association of artists, the A.A.B., Ateliers d’Artistes de Belleville (Belleville Artists’ Workshops association).  Is it an art or civilian choice?

My conviction is that if the art Parisian market  remains as it is today, art associations will sooner or later suffer from the same problem: a lack of means and many will cease their activity.

So finally our future, fantastic and business-organized society  will transform the status of the artist into the one of a potentially public outlaw, and any budding artist  will have to be a Street Artist, a stealer of public open spaces,  before obtaining recognition. Of course, if you have money that world is welcome to you and without talent you will be with no difficulty recognize as an artist. But once ruined or without financial support the street will become also your location.

I know I am a permanent pessimist…Wait and see…3 to 5 years and we will discuss this subject again.

Epilogue for « My Charlie’s Days » project.

It is important when an initiative is taken to follow it completely before investing oneself in new projects.  So being very « proud » of me « Charlie’s Days » collection of photos I worked to promote them by professionals and the public.  I produced a flyer to look for an editor and present some photos from the Saturday’s  March to the public in my booth of the « Marché de la Création » of La Bastille in June and July. Of course, none of these initiatives were successful. 

Image taken in October 2015 from what was the Charlie's memorial site in Paris. It has become completely normal as if nothing had happened.

The number of the French editors interested in photography and this thematic is reduced and I do not belong to the circles that would help to find the best contacts. Secondly, I expected that the impact of the January events would produce a need to share and show the attachment to certain values.

 In fact, this was a wrong thinking the event being a national and dramatic event the French public will not support any commercial activity related to the event. It is a position that French consider as a question of principle, in reality they are completely upset with their money and want everything for free in such cases, when they look at the images on TV or in the press they forget that journalists, reporters and photographers are paid to produce them. 

 Only remaining memorial site from the Charlie's events remaining in October 2015 located Boulevard Richard Lenoir .

Why should an independent photographer be paid for his work, it is such a silly question? It is a French character to be completely unable to associate principles and reality, this contradictory position can be found in many fields. So for photos like mine, they expect them to be given for free to the Charlie Hebdo newspaper or any other non profitable initiative. Of course the payment for the printing of the photos is not to be taken into consideration, especially when the images are offered at a rate of 5 and 15 € each.

Much too expensive to support an artist and his action to support freedom. So to anyone who thought I might have earned any money with this work just make your calculation: I spend a lot of time to produce the project, I invested about 600€ to retouch some photos and 150€ for the printing. I sold one for 5 € to a Canadian woman, three photos for 45 € to a private Italian customer living in Paris.  Thank you for their support and no comment!

It  has been a new experience for a certain photographer by accident that  I know. For sure if I do not become a photographer, I already am a philosopher!