It is commonly believed that history is a constant repetition. The Carros Centre International of Art Contemporain, as part of the Rencontres du Grand Arles Express, provides proof of this.
In 1983, Maisons Phœnix, a major real estate developer at the time, was heavily involved in supporting the Rencontres Internationales de la Photographie. It was within this framework that they commissioned a few photographers who were heavily involved in the events of the time. This is how Sabine Weiss, Jean Dieuzaide, Guy Le Querrec, Jacques Windenberger, Emil Schulthess, and Bernard Gille found themselves tasked with a project on the urbanization of the town of Carros (Provence, near Nice).
After twenty years of intensive urbanization, driven by real estate growth, the company asked questions. The answer at that time was creating social photography.
And so our six colleagues set off, cameras slung over their shoulders, to explore the urban and modern neighborhoods below the old town of Carros and its castle. Today, the Château de Carros exhibits many of the images from this project, which was never followed up. It’s wonderful that most of the original images, following Marc Netter’s donation, are archived at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris.
These numerous photographs are very interesting for two reasons. The first is the approach, at the time, of each author of the subjects, likely to convey a relevant message on the reality of this urbanization, now somewhat decried. The second is the opportunity for us to compare, at a specific moment, the various conceptual approaches of photographers who have now become references with the passage of time.
The subjects, the image compositions, the lighting choices, and the printing options made to create these photographs all reveal such diverse technical mastery and sensibilities.
This return to the past remains so relevant today, with its anticipation, intentional or not, of the works presented and the resurgence of these images.
Thierry Maindrault
EXHIBITION
Centre International d’Art Contemporain
Château de Carros
Place du château
06510 CARROS
beginning July 05, 2025 until December 14, 2025
from Tuesday to Saturday, 11:30 am to 06:00 pm
Sunday 11:30 am to 01:30 pm and 02:30 pm to 06:00 pm
closed Monday and public holidays.
free entrance.
