For the past five editions, photo lab PICTO has accompanied the Parisian PhotoQuai Biennale. More than merely providing a service, the relationship is a true partnership based on confidence with each new edition. Every time, there are technical as well as weather and aesthetic challenges to be met; young, often inexperienced artists need help and guidance in producing their photographic prints.
Since the take-over of Janvier by Picto last spring, the biennale is also an opportunity for the two teams to work hand in hand through the summer-long process of calibration, development, and approval of the prints, which culminates this fall in an exhibition held on the banks of the river Seine until November 22.
L’Oeil de la Photographie : You have been a partner with the PhotoQuai Biennale for the past five editions. Why did you decide to become involved with a major public outdoor event? What form does this partnership take?
PICTO : We have been cooperating with the Quai Branly Museum for several years. And so it was quite natural that the Museum introduced us to the Agence ARTER, which had been chosen to oversee the setup and the smooth running of the PhotoQuai Biennale.
We had two areas of concern: addressing the technical challenge which consisted in offering a museum-quality display at an outdoor exhibition, and participating in a photography event aimed at bridging cultures through the medium of photography and at helping audiences discover artists from around the world. On these two points, we are very pleased with our partnership.
LODLP : The photographs come from the five continents. How does one work in these conditions? How does one get the prints approved when the photographers are so far away, and often inexperienced? And, finally, who approves and/or how much latitude do you have in approving the prints?
PICTO : The production of prints for the Photoquai is a collaborative effort of two photo labs, Janvier and Picto. Janvier takes care of producing professional and archival quality prints. At this stage, Céline Martin-Raget, Head of Publication Services at the Quai Branly Museum approves the images and framing with the lab technicians, in particular with Christophe Pete and Laurent Hutin. Picto, on the other hand, produces large-format prints on tarpaulin, which constitute the exhibition designed by Patrick Jouin. With the support of Philippe Bonnaud, Head of production at Picto Défense, we can verify the quality of the images. We then approve the final versions.
LODLP : Throughout the production process, we share the pleasure of discovering images by new photographers and of working with the Museum teams.
PICTO : When you work on an exhibition design by Patrick Jouin, you must come up with many innovative ideas when it comes to the choice of your materials. What types of prints do you offer? What are the challenges you needed to meet for this outdoor exhibition?
We had to conceal the supporting structures and to make sure that the prints are well attached in case of bad weather. Printing on opaque tarpaulin was the obvious choice. Then we had to choose among dozens grades of tarp. Expolit tarp quickly turned out to be the most opaque and the most durable to withstand October weather. Finally, in order to minimize the environmental impact, it was suggested we use inks that do not contain solvents. HP Latex inks came highly recommended.
FESTIVAL
5th Edition of PhotoQuai
Until November 22nd, 2015
In Front of Quai Branly Museum
37 quai Branly
75007 Paris
France
http://www.photoquai.fr
