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!

My Charlie Hebdo's Days. Mes Journées Charlie. (Charlie Hebdo -2/2)

As an artist I could not remain aside. Many people in France even if they where not artist felt the need to react, contribute to our society by acting. Personal initiatives were numerous. My reaction began on saturday the 10th of january, when I began with some photos at Place de la République. I discovered the numerous commemorative sites gathering candles, flowers and all sorts of writing and design tools. On Sunday before working I was there too. It is on the 11th that I decided to apply my technique in the middle of the crowd, normally journalist shoot their photos using a high speed and a wide angle lens. Here the challenge was to try fix  this historical moment with panoramic photos. Here distortion is not the subject. How could I be creative and simultaneously report that day? that was the question. I was not in the march due to my work.

After that week end I discovered other commemorative sites of different importance between La République and Bastille. The most impressive one was in the street of Charlie Hebdo. So during 3 months I followed and photographed these sites. Some where vandalysed and I registered that too.

Today Charlie Hebdo is reprinted and publication is saved for 2 years. History is sometimes produced by stupid and dramatic acts. If nothing had happened on the 7th the newspaper was going bankrupt and today it would be unpublished and an object for collectors.

Regarding photography what is the result with the photos obtained :

- first it is possible to produce panoramics in such a context and have real expressive photos

- secondly it is possible to have in the same photo a detail and the context. This is what I call "INCREASED REALITY". Instead of having two photos and a text to connect them, you present every thing in one picture. The viewer is completely "informed" by the image.

-thirdly creativity can be found in the framing and the subject. The purpose of my photos was not to compete with journalists but have a personal approach of the subject.

-Retouching is necessary to save images that are expressive. In the present context of informative photos retouching just corresponds to what is made in the press today. It does not affect the meaning of the image. It reinforces the impact of the image. I managed to make certain in one shot, but it is a real challenge.

- The panoramic angle is really near the normal human view, as a result you are in the event.

-In France due to the regulation these photos are delicate, but in this historical moment I accepted to cross the line and present the people. Every one, including myself, could not avoid to be photographed that day, all wanted to have moments of that event, with cameras or Iphone shooting was every where. You can spot it in the photos.

Finally I have produced over 100 photos, pictured about 9 commemorative sites during 3 months. Now I am looking for an editor. The titel of the publication is : Mes Journées Charlie. My Charlie Days.

mail: denoronhapanoramic@gmail.com

Charlie Hebdo Dramatic Events of January 2015 (Charlie Hebdo 1/2)

The January events of Charlie Hebdo were dramatic. For the French they are our 11th September. Like many persons, artist or not, I could not stand without reacting. Like many French people I was not a reader of the magazine, but the chock was grate. So this was my personal contribution and reply to the events. There are many other through out France. The work produced just show how I was affected. These days where History and the first time that I saw the French people united about some value that are considered as the foundation of French identity and republic. They had forgotten their indifference and went out to claim their credo and express where the limit were: freedom of  the press, separation of the religious and public domain, brotherhood between different religious communities.

As an artist I could not remain aside. Many people in France even if they where not artist felt the need to react, contribute to our society by acting. Personal initiatives are numerous. My reaction began on saturday the 10th of january, when I began with some photos at Place de la République. I discovered the numerous commemorative sites gathering candels, flowers and all sorts of writing and design tools. On Sunday before working I was there too. It is on the 11th that I decided to apply my technique in the middle of the crowd, normally journalist shoot their photos using a high speed and a wide angle lens. Here the challenge was to try fix  this historical moment with panoramic photos. Here distorsion is not the subject. How could I be creative and simultaneously report that day? that was the question. I was not in the march due to my work.

email : denoronhapanoramic@gmail.com

2014 Results of a crucial year (3)

In 2014 I really decided to invest in promotion and made new shows.

In may I exhibited in GMAC, a major show of contemporary art, at La Bastille Paris and with the Cercle des Artistes de Paris in their yearly exhibition at Parc de Vincennes during one month.

In October I was selected to show my works in La Nuit de la Photographie Contemporaine that took place in Place des Invalides.

Title : Pont d'Equilibre. Equilibrium Bridge.In this panoramic every thing is upside down unless the bridge, the link betweeen the two buildings, which in reality is the most fragile structure of the construction.

 During last trimester I exhibited pictures through a galery , Galerie No. 1 and in the Espace Cardin.









The results were not at all in relation with the investment. The economical situation only explains a part of this situation, the major problem relays in the fact that Paris has lost much its influencial people because of the emigration of its elite to other european countries. As a result Paris becomes a museum, and reacts much more conservatively, and stands much more as a follower. 

Many artists I have spoken with, have the same feeling. Personnally I am like a Don Quichotte that is still looking for his Dulcinea and fighting against abandoned wind mills.


email : denoronhapanoramic@gmail.com

2014 Results of a crucial year (2)

 Regarding creativity it is during that year that I really discovered new possibilities with the photos called "SCENOÏDE". This type of photos are completely directed and organized, like a moment in a theater play.
It is a game between the 4 dimensions of the photographer and the 2 dimensions of the photo produced. Here there is a "twilight zone" that allows to play with the image and the one who looks at it. Presently I focused in showing impossible photos using a mirror and other accessories, like a magician, to produce my desired effect. It is funny, and it recalls the first films of the French Mélies or the american film I just saw on TV last week "Elzapopin".

 

Title: Bas les masque! Unmask!

Here is one example for illustration. It is called "Bas le masque" or  "Down with the mask". In my imagination it recalls the Goya painting or the mexican film when the heroes are facing their death back to the wall. The truth is not only in what you see but also in how the image is produced. The truth here is the fact that the image is produced in one shot, directly without any tricks. The difference between the mirror and the figure unmasked is the fun or the story of the photo. In my "panoroïds" I show everything, they are like caligraphy or an automatic writing, I show every thing for the one who know how to read an image. 

email : denoronhapanoramic@gmail.com

2014 Results of a crucial year (1)

 2014 was a key year in my work. Firstly I have been able to produce a major work with the buildings of La Defense. This place features high scrapers you can find everywhere in a modern city. 

Titre : Le Cerf Volant. The Kite.

So it was a way to show that my photos where not only parisian. It was also a big step in scale to work with several buildings instead of a single subject. The result is fantastic, in some photos the architecture of metal and glass is bursted and the image becomes almost an abstract picture expressing mainly the violence of the movement and the contrast of lights. It expresses the invisible impact of the modern financial and technological society of today, in which the humble human being is completely armless facing the world economy of the multinational firms.

email : denoronhapanoramic@gmail.com