An invitation to contemplation, a moment of pause in our hectic lives. This is the impression left by the Galerie Particulière exhibition of the work of self-taught Korean photographer Byung-Hun Min (b. Seoul in 1955), whose work can be found in some of the world’s major collections. His sumptuous black-and-white photographs with subtle shades of gray are never cropped, although they are sometimes reworked during development. Two complementary series are on display in one of the two gallery spaces.
In the first, Byung-Hun Min photographs the misty countryside surrounding Seoul, where he still lives. Nature is his subject, and he captures its essence in a very pure way reminiscent of Romantic painting and traditional Korean art. A flickering mountain looms above the clouds. Delicate branches hang in suspense against a hazy background. A body of water faintly shimmers. A snowy wood looks magical. The plants are chiseled like pieces of silver. The fog traces the outline of a tree. The skies take on a soft, airy quality.
The minimalist photographs of Byung-Hun Min, very low contrast, seen almost through a fog but highly detailed, call to mind a pristine natural world protected from human intervention. The photographs are patiently observed, experienced and made sublime. They exude a serenity and profundity that comes from the acceptance of passing time.
Read the full article on the French version of L’Oeil.
EXHIBITION
As part of the Mois de la Photo
Byung-Hun Min
River & Portrait Series
Through January 4th 2015
La Galerie Particulière
16 & 11, rue du Perche
75003 Paris
http://www.lagalerieparticuliere.com
