Thierry Maindrault’s Monthly Cogitations
“speech is silver, silence is gold”, how strange it is that this axiom, established several millennia ago, has disappeared from the memory of new photographers. It is just as clear that it has evaporated from the knowledge imparted in our schools by all who teach working with light. I recall one of the pertinent philosophical words from one of my teachers (a great photographer of the first half of the twentieth century): “Young people, if you have to open your mouth to defend one of your photographs, it is time to change professions”. It is so obvious; but nowadays, in our “new world”, all the obvious things are outdated, and often even old-fashioned.
If the creator, the designer, or the director of an image justifies himself by the obligation to tell the story of his life (usually with its little torments that are totally irrelevant). If he describes the technical or psychological conditions under which his work was produced. If he justifies the reasons for his conception with a monotonous litany of the lot of obstacles that have come up in the course of this work. If the photographic image in front of you requires one of these commentaries to exist, in my opinion, you can move on. It is almost certain that any attempt at exchange with this image will have no educational, no emotional or no recreational value whatsoever. And yet, we are engulfed in an era in which our artwork as photographers (all styles of photography included) becomes the work of an author, to be asserted for its position or social significance. But, our images become a mere alibi to satisfy our need for logorrhea. This is as true for some authors as it is for their readers, when both parties find themselves equally immersed in a relational desert. It should be pointed out, however, that in reality, in the large majority of cases, reviews, and other texts are delivered by a bevy of parasites (curators, press officers, mediators, speakers, etc.), spouting nonsense validated by their own incompetence.
It is common knowledge that human beings no longer speak to each other in social exchanges, even to be polite. Our fellow human beings have become incapable of direct exchange without the presence of a catalyst to justify even the slightest vocal or written interaction exchanges which very frequently seem alternative monologues. Photographs have logically become a good ready-made medium to enable us all to maintain conversations. This is how photographic images dedicated to transmission, which by definition are perfectly self-sufficient, became mere objects of justification. I can confirm that there is no shortage of talk of all kinds about photography, although most of it is concerned at photographers personally (like knowing all about Mrs. or Mr. X…).
As a result, now it is hard to visit an exhibition without the author (who is often asked to be present by the organizer) coming along to tell you all about his or her life. He then blithely and unselfconsciously imposes on you the ins and outs of his creative will, without success. It is a nice redundancy when his self-apology also appears on the walls at the entrance to his exhibition space, in a format disproportionate to the images on display.
Equally comical is the “carte blanche” for a week that one of the many photographic blogs has just granted to the general manager of the most important photography festival (that is the standing this cultural event claims). This significant figure in the photographic world shares his various daily opinions during the mythical and crucial opening week of the international event he directs. Is there so much to talk about, rather than to choose beautiful pictures that should be hung on the walls. Finally, since he has to answer and fill in some blanks. He devoted one of five days to discussing an exhibition that was not programmed in his festival, and at the end the guest admited that he had not yet seen what he had to speak about.
It is all the rage with these digital perorations to say a lot of stupidities while showing himself off. For example, another major international magazine is testing out special issues devoted to podcasts (to keep up with the fashion). Presenting and supporting the disseminations of nauseating gossip, self-congratulation, unrealistic announcements and mutual interviews between friends. A whole parade of gossip and nonsense is promoted. Photographs become optional accessories. The important thing in this new version of photographic culture is the buzz.
I remain relatively discreet by nature, which does not prevent me from exhibiting and publishing some of my photographic artwork. That is how I came to meet a charming young man, fresh out of art communication school. It was a great surprise to meet this mediator in art interpretation, who didn’t know me at all. Hearing him explain one of my photographs, with a few pinches of spice about my private life, it all seemed out of this world. As you can never have too much of a good thing, I tiptoed out of the room. Without contradicting his long speech, which was totally off the mark (in terms of the techniques used and the people he associated with me).
Anyone who organizes the slightest event around a few more or less convincing photographic images, feels obliged to shower us with words. These texts, built together by agents who are specialized in “boot licking”, tread a fine line between provoking cerebral indigestion and displaying superfluous mannerism. To get their point across, they spout a string of words that are as incomprehensible as they are undesirable. Why not let images speak for themselves? In principle, that is what they were made for. Pictures, we all know that if they are good, there’s no need to add any words. We also know that if they are bad, no encyclopedia or endless speeches can save them.
For Mercy, let’s beware of this scum (even if they are full of good intentions; yes, yes, it’s possible sometimes!) who insist on inviting themselves into our works and our imaginary thoughts. For most of us, what is most important is in or realisations, and often only inside our artworks. So, smooth talker, go and exercise your talents in the realms of noble writing and straight talk.
Let us play with light, tame it and pass it on as we see fit, with no comment other than the evolution and culture of the eye.
Thierry Maindrault – July 18, 2025
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