“XY” is a portraits series that probes the critical question of the notion of couple. Although a couple is commonly defined as two people linked together in an intimate relationship, its diversity (inter-racial or same-sex) is still not completely recognized or officially accepted.
Most of these portraits were taken in Los Angeles. The series includes couples from my intimate circle but most of them were randomly approached. Some portraits were made during scheduled sessions, others on the spur of the moment when I was setting up my equipment in public spaces such as farmers markets or gatherings.
In every case, the setting remained the same: one chair against a neutral background, in daylight. The idea is to follow the pure tradition of portraiture with a straight forward approach. Couples are directed to face the camera without looking at each other. I restricted myself to one roll of 36-exposures per photo session to preserve the vitality and the authenticity of the encounter.
Although the partnersare aware of thecamera, these stark portraits reveal an unexpected aspect of both individuals while their gesture expresses the intimate relationship between them. Such approach emphasizes their unique character while the broad selection conveys an universal condition.
Mathieu Grandjean
http://mathieugrandjean.com
