Here is the interview with Gabriela Lupu by Sophie Bernard in the context of our coverage of the festival Circulation(s). Lupu uses the series Just to See by Robert Delpire and Michel Frizot as a support for her own work: she makes drawings of the photographs presented in these publications. With these drawings, she creates the “History of Photography” series, calling on the big names of photography, from Nicéphore Niépce to Nancy Rexroth.
Why did you become a photographer?
I first became a photographer by accident. During my sociology studies in Romania, a friend told me I should take a photography course. My oldest sister responded to my arguments and paid for my visual art courses in Brasov, Romania. At first, I wanted to do fashion photography because it was the thing to do at the time. It was only later, when I was in France, that I decided to become a photographer after having worked at an ad agency. From that moment on, photography became a need.
Have you already published a book?
I published two books with the publisher Filigranes Editions: Carnet de Charbon in 2013 on the coal miners from the Jiu Valley region in Romania and Portes de Paris in 2015, a more intimate book in which I use drawing and imaginary theater to talk about a Roma community.
How did you hear about the Circulation(s) festival? What are you expecting from it?
I’ve known about the Circulation(s) festival since it took place in Bologna thanks to a friend who was exhibited there. Last year, I participated in the portfolio reviews. That indirectly caused me to meet a gallery. During the festival, I’m expecting the public to discover my work. I’m hoping that my History of Photography series will provoke questions.
What were the preparatory steps for this series?
I started by drawing the three volumes of Histoire de Voir in five small sketchbooks with a simple ballpoint pen. I needed to expand my horizons to being a sociologist photographer who’s interested in subjects linked to her home country. I then scanned them and compiled them together in one. Some months later, I randomly glued photographs into this sketchbook. So then the idea of reworking after the drawings came to be. I finalized it in my studio.
What are your references or masters in photography or art history?
I really like Constantin Brancusi, Alberto Giacometti, and Shoji Ueda.
FESTIVAL
Festival Circulation(s) – Jeune Photographie Européenne
From March 26th to August 7th, 2016
CENTQUATRE
5 rue Curial
75019 Paris
France
Closed on Monday and Tuesday
http://www.festival-circulations.com
http://www.gabrielalupu.com/
