MÉTIS is a collection of forty-two black and white portraits of inspiring women and men whose biracial roots are visually featured.
My editorial line was to photograph personalities from the worlds of literature, journalism, entertainment, film and television, but also from business, fashion and sport where their career aspirations or dreams were realized. They are role models today and for new generations; symbols of positivity.
The METIS project was a challenge for me. Faced with negative press attachés, dubious agents and disinterested publishers who gave refusal after refusal, I thought of giving up this project several times. My son, born to a Chinese-Canadian mother and a French father, is Métis, which is why I persevered.
To be born bi-racial touches on the identity; it is not always simple, but it is always deep. Looking out, looking inwards or being looked at. Métissage is rich in its complexity, beautiful in its biracial blend.
I shot in medium format with a Pentax 6×7 camera with a 135mm f / 4 lens on Kodak TX black and white film. No digital as I had the desire to share with you the material of the film and its millions of grains, a magnificent mixture floating in the silver crystals.
Some portraits represent biculturalism. Like genetic crossbreeding, our culture is mixed. Music, painting, architecture … The diversity of influences contributes and enhances the richness of French culture.
All these looks emphasize diversity to better combat racism, the worst scourge of all.
Each photograph was completed by a caption. Each person photographed answered this question: “Your existence is the result of crossbreeding: How do you live it? Why?”
For some, it is an important, sometimes painful, issue that touches the foundation of identity, of this double “I”. For others, conversely, being Métis does not matter, because it is only an appearance by which some want to “complicate the obvious”.
“If I differ from you, far from hurting you, I will increase you. ” (Antoine de Saint-Exupéry)
Pre-order: https://www.corridorelephant.com/metis-duclos-contributions (North America) or https://www.kisskissbankbank.com/fr/projects/metis-un-livre-d-alexis-duclos (Europe)
For more information: http://www.alexisduclos.com
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Corridor Elephant
April 29, 2019 to May 07, 2019
