Empreintes… 10 ans de Rencontres was published a few days ago. This abundantly illustrated book gives a glimpse of a decade completed by the Rencontres de la photographie in Gaspésie.
Born with the desire to leave a trace, to share ten years of an improved adventures, the book tells what are the Rencontres de la photographie en Gaspésie. Claude Goulet, its artistic director, who wrote the preface: “this is a great opportunity to put forward what makes this visual arts event unique: the close link we have managed to create between the artists, the public and the works.”
The book puts the testimonies of photographers in the first place “To this end, some twenty photographers from various backgrounds were selected according to specific criteria – artist residency, production of a book, frequent participation or other distinctive circumstances”, explains Mona Hakim, director of the publication. She wrote the introductory text. Their brief confidences are accompanied by their own works, most of which were captured in situ. Works by photographers in residence and special projects have also been selected.
The book also contains background texts by specialized authors: Serge Allaire draws an explicit portrait of the situation of the photographic book in the history of photography and of the craze that this form of expression arouses today; Alexis Desgagnés highlights the role of the Photographic Missions, paying particular attention to the exhibition Acharné, acharné paysage, the first edition of the Missions that was placed under his responsibility; and finally, André-Louis Paré takes an enlightening look at all of the photographic projects and themes that have unfolded on the Gaspé territory during the 10 years of the Rencontres.
In ten years, the Rencontres de la photographie en Gaspésie have been enriched by international networking, creative spaces, residencies and special projects, as well as a publishing house. Never has the word “meetings” had so much resonance.
Empreintes… 10 ans de Rencontres.
Éditions Escuminac, 2020, 144 pages.
Color and black and white photos.
To be purchased on leslibraires.ca, $20.
