For almost 20 years, when I go home, I have been greeted by the man with the rose, the memory of an exhibition in 2002 on the gates of the national assembly followed by an auction for the benefit of Doctors without Borders at the brand new Palais de Tokyo! And that sweet look reminds me of Roland Michaud who photographed him and who has just joined him. Except that, in addition to being gentle, Roland’s eye knew how to capture men, women and children in landscapes of striking beauty. His photos were breathtaking.
Scattered and loose memories:
I discovered Roland’s photos in Casino chocolates. We stuck small pictures from the “Chameleon Expedition” in an eponymous book.
We celebrated Roland’s 50th birthday at the Rapho agency. The party was happy when the phone rang. Romain (their 11 year old son) was in great need of talking to his parents. Romain, who had traveled to Afghanistan at the age of 5, drawing while his parents were photographing, was a serious and responsible little boy. He wanted permission to run water in the sink so that he could float a boat there.
At the end of the 90s, rue d’Algiers, back from a trip to China, Roland enchanted us during a screening. Each photo had a story, each photo was seen as a whole and then in its details.
Roland became more and more “wise” over the years; his white beard and his outfits helped maintain his legend as a great traveler.
But I’m talking about Roland when I should say “RolandetSabrina”, so much one and the other were one.
Kathleen Grosset
Paris May 27, 2020
