Currently
February 25 - August 23, 2020
« A portrait is always a renewed encounter. I am nervous just before a shooting, then, gradually, tongues start to loosen up. What I’m after is to capture the light in the eye, the movements and the receptiveness and concentration – just when the model remains silent. » Martine Franck
The Fondation HCB is dedicating an exhibition to the portraits of Martine Franck (1938-2012) in its Collections gallery.
For the woman who believed in goodwill above everything, portrait is mainly characterized by a direct gaze, a certain empathy towards the subject and a sincere admiration. Nothing is more alien to Martine Franck than the artificiality of posing. Her “regard amical” (friendly gaze), as described by Robert Doisneau, managed to alight on many of her peers.
A committed photographer, she wanted to see reality face-on, the reality of age, of the excluded, of artists, and highlight a moment of subtle exchange: the portraits of Martine Franck resemble her. These few “face à face” portraits discreetly inscribe their place in time, and distil the delicate aesthetic of an attentive and penetrating gaze.
Exhibition curator : Agnès Sire, Artistic Director
Currently
February 25 - August 23, 2020
« Night photography involves long exposure times, and one of the effects of a long exposure is that, along with light, time becomes part of the equation. » Marie Bovo
It is often at dusk that Marie Bovo feels the urge to make time stand still. And not only because of the extremely long exposure time that her chosen technique (large-format, film, natural light) demands, but also so she can watch the slow passage of time unfold in intermediate spaces that are inhabited, despite being empty of people. The Nocturnes exhibition at the Fondation HCB includes an unprecedented selection of images taken by Marie Bovo at twilight, in Marseille and Africa.
This approach to time, illustrated by both photography and film, is based on a quiet, thoughtful observation, the politeness of her gaze, the appropriation of an imagined inner self perceived from the outside. Marie Bovo moves comfortably from photography to the moving image and her photographs, systematically presented in series to emphasize the passage of time, are always on the threshold of film-making. In these highly controlled visual images, one does not at first detect the humanism that underlies them.
It is commonplace for Marie Bovo to work on the threshold of intimacy, without being intrusive, in people’s homes or at night. It is her way of thwarting the camera’s aggressive tendencies and going discreetly with the flow of people’s lives.
The exhibition at the Fondation HCB presents 35 large format prints from 5 different series, as well as 2 films.
Exhibition curator : Agnès Sire, Artistic Director
The exhibition is produced in collaboration with the kamel mennour gallery and is accompanied by the publication of a book.
The exhibitions Marie Bovo - Nocturnes and Martine Franck - Face à face are extended until Sunday, August 23rd. In order to guarantee the visitors’ health, the reception conditions are adapted and masks are mandatory. To avoid any delay, we also advise you to avoid the usual busy hours (3pm-5pm).
