This exhibition of photographs by Stéphane Kossmann has deliberately focused on a very limited part of the spectrum of this author’s photographic work. The images are those of New York taken during the photographer’s many stays.
You will immediately and sensibly think “more photographs of New York”, there are thousands of them every day that passes. Always the same buildings, the same terminals, the same taxis, the same homeless people, the same subways, the same parks, the same bridges, etc.
No innovation, no revolution, no novelty in Stéphane’s images. More photographs that add to all the others. Except that, as their author asserts, the images are his and he claims them. We are confronted with his point of view, his own sharing project.
And it works very well.
Why, will wonder the neophytes? Quite simply, because the photographs are good. The quality is present in all the spaces of the images, our reading is organized by his shooting (instinctive or not), the message is skilfully distilled by his professional work. The difference of Stéphane’s works is evident among the submergence of various mediocrities that invade the reports, the “streetviews” and the pseudo-photographic testimonials. With Stéphane, the point of sharpness is in the right place, the irreproachable contrasts, the romantic colors. The photographs are objectively good, the alchemy of dialogue can only work, after that everyone has the freedom of their personal emotion, they can love or reject the image they have in front of their eyes.
These photographs, New York style for those who know, are worth a detour. At least for the pleasure of the eyes.
Stéphane Kossmann is also a co-founder of Nuits de Pierrevert (2009).
EXHIBITION
Fondation Carzou
07-09 boulevard Elémir Bourges
04100 Manosque [France]
from July 01, 2023 until September 30, 2023
from Tuesday to Saturday
opening 10:00 am to 00h30 pm and 02:00 pm to 06:00 pm.
