“Les terrasses”

September, 23 – October, 28 2011

Christophe Dugied’s new work “Les terrasses” found its inspiration from the interiors of an old castle. The place was photographed with a large format camera, using color negative film.

As with his previous work “Extérieur Nuit”, the notion of place is central to his visual quest. “After exploring the outskirts of industrial cities, this castle brought me to work on the concept of memory but also on the meaning of decorative objects. In this decadent, solitary interior so emblematic of the XIX th century French bourgeoisie, I found an emotion linked to my childhood”.

The proposed selection, presents us with places of passage, long hallways, doors ajar creating visual constructions. Found objects are placed to form evocative still lives. In this world of interiors, where light and silence reign, a delicate serenity emerges from the balancing act between past splendors and modern decay. Although one does not know for certain where or when, elements give us a certain sense of familiarity, of a common belonging. From this loss of reference more questions rise.

Esthetics is an important part in Christophe Dugied’s work. The use of a large format camera slows down the photographic process, forcing him to think before exposing the film. In that sense, one could say the act is more about image making that an image taking. “I take my time for the light to be “right”. The play in composition, the subtle sense of color add much more complexity to the images than their apparent simplicity belies. This work sways between photography and painting, the straightforward documentary approach and the constructed. “I love painting especially the work of William Hammershoi and Edward Hopper. I like the silence they bring into their canvas, I like the space they leave for contemplation and the fact that the harmony that exudes from their work is always in conjunction with a sense of enigma”.

Christophe Dugied (1960, Metz) lives and works in Paris.