Observing the world and its transformations as a photographer raises formal questions. The reporter shows the event, in direct contact with what is taking place before his eyes. He sides with the image-witness, whatever his political affiliations may be. The artist questions information; he sides with the image-thought. Gilles Coulon has deliberately abandoned news coverage to explore the underlying issues. He decontextualizes world violence in order to delineate its contours; deconstructs customary photographic practices in order to sharpen their message. The conception is simple: four areas of focus composed of landscapes and texts, divided into four seasons. The impact of the method derives from the connection between the image and the writing. The white winter expanses clash with death notices. Voices express their desire for freedom in the aridity of the Tunisian desert. Sentinel trees groan powerless against the threat of intestine wars in Mali. Vast horizons are furrowed with bitterness in crisis-torn Spain. The landscape, mute spectator, bears witness to the agitation of human societies, to their passing seasons.
Gilles Coulon
He was born in 1966 in Nogent-sur-Marne.
Space generously fills Gilles Coulon’s photographic work. Exploding with inward communicative energy, silent images buzz with the rumblings of the world. His landscapes speak out, his portraits testify to the beauty of his encounters and moments of sharing. Sometimes, the image changes hands and the story flows.
1989 Departure to the border with Guinea in the footsteps of gold seekers in the region of Salamalé. His work is distributed by the Gamma agency.
1996 He joins Tendance Floue.
1997 1st Award World Press Photo (catégory « Daily Life »).
1999 Publication of Avoir 20 ans à Bamako, Alternatives, Paris
2002 Publication of Un président en campagne, Cauris, Paris
2004 Publication of White Night, Steidl, Göttigen. Exhibition at Lagerfeld Gallery and galerie Acte 2, Paris.
2010 Exhibition of « Hiver(s ) » in part of France 14 project – Rencontres internationales de la photographie Arles, and BnF Paris.
2013 Exhibition of « Printemps » et Automne at Galerie Particulière, Paris, France.
http://tendancefloue.net/gillescoulon/series/for-reasons/ete/
