honorable mention
Michel Kirch france
title
MICROCOSMES
Limits are the fundamental issue in our relationship with the world. No organism, no structure, can take on embodied form without them. Limits restrict us as much as they protect and characterise us.
I am defined not only by what I do, but by what I cannot do.
From Babel to Philae, the history of mankind has been one long quest to reach beyond our limits. Transgression is tempting but hardly viable when it fails to respect the integrity of the structures and entities around us. This observation led our ancestors to invent religions and laws.
Most limits are a necessity of life; reaching beyond them is a necessity of dreams.
This latest series, Microcosmes, offers a metaphor for the seeming contradiction between the need to preserve limits while pushing beyond them. The forms it takes – spheres, cubes, pyramids, and various containers – are the territory of a restrained, yet active emotion. The play of interactions guides us through the maze of fundamental desires.
The harmonies that arise are a source of peace – and of questions.
A fourth dimension can break through unexpectedly.
It is as much a game as a lab experiment. The production of closed worlds teeters between asphyxia and the dizzying multitude of potentialities.
• Shows in Europe, USA and Asia. (60 shows in 15 countries)
• Represents France at the Alexandria Biennale in 2008.
• The Province of Milan chooses works from his series Climats to accompany a lecture by Edgar Morin and establish a link between Morin’s thinking and art.
• Becomes the first artist to be chosen by the foundation L’Art pour la Conscience, sponsored by Edgar Morin.
• Is chosen two years running (2009, 2010) by Esther Woerdehoff gallery for Paris Photo.
and for MIART and MIA in Milan (2010, 2011).
• Is selected three years running by Mac Paris (2009–2011).
• In 2010 his exhibition TransPhotographies is spotlighted by the City of Marseille.
• Invited by the John McDermott Gallery to the Angkor Foto Festival in 2010.
• Exhibition at Espace Cardin in Paris in december 2011 sponsored by Edgar Morin, with the backing of the ESA
• In June 2012 he is named Intercultural Ambassador by the UNESCO
• Invited by French Embassy in India to exhibit in New Delhi , 2013.
• Invited by UNESCO to exhibit during the Global Conference , 2013.
• Retrospective on various sites in the city of Metz, including the Musée de la Cour d’Or, 2014.
• Shows with Baudoin Lebon gallery at the Art O’Clock fair, Paris, 2013.
• Black and White magazine: Award Winner, Portfolio Contest, 2013.
• Grand Prix Eurazeo for Photography, 2013.
• Publication of the monograph “ “les éveillés”, 2014
• Invited by the Mairie de Paris for “Bridges and Cultures” , 2015
• Winner of the International Competition « Spirit of the Mediterranean », organized by PHOTOMED and LENSCULTURE. 2016
• « Monochrome Photographer of the Year « January 2017 (Monochrome Awards)
• Selected for Festfoto Brazil May 2017
back to gallery
entry description
Limits are the fundamental issue in our relationship with the world. No organism, no structure, can take on embodied form without them. Limits restrict us as much as they protect and characterise us.
I am defined not only by what I do, but by what I cannot do.
From Babel to Philae, the history of mankind has been one long quest to reach beyond our limits. Transgression is tempting but hardly viable when it fails to respect the integrity of the structures and entities around us. This observation led our ancestors to invent religions and laws.
Most limits are a necessity of life; reaching beyond them is a necessity of dreams.
This latest series, Microcosmes, offers a metaphor for the seeming contradiction between the need to preserve limits while pushing beyond them. The forms it takes – spheres, cubes, pyramids, and various containers – are the territory of a restrained, yet active emotion. The play of interactions guides us through the maze of fundamental desires.
The harmonies that arise are a source of peace – and of questions.
A fourth dimension can break through unexpectedly.
It is as much a game as a lab experiment. The production of closed worlds teeters between asphyxia and the dizzying multitude of potentialities.
about the photographer
• Born in France, 1959.• Shows in Europe, USA and Asia. (60 shows in 15 countries)
• Represents France at the Alexandria Biennale in 2008.
• The Province of Milan chooses works from his series Climats to accompany a lecture by Edgar Morin and establish a link between Morin’s thinking and art.
• Becomes the first artist to be chosen by the foundation L’Art pour la Conscience, sponsored by Edgar Morin.
• Is chosen two years running (2009, 2010) by Esther Woerdehoff gallery for Paris Photo.
and for MIART and MIA in Milan (2010, 2011).
• Is selected three years running by Mac Paris (2009–2011).
• In 2010 his exhibition TransPhotographies is spotlighted by the City of Marseille.
• Invited by the John McDermott Gallery to the Angkor Foto Festival in 2010.
• Exhibition at Espace Cardin in Paris in december 2011 sponsored by Edgar Morin, with the backing of the ESA
• In June 2012 he is named Intercultural Ambassador by the UNESCO
• Invited by French Embassy in India to exhibit in New Delhi , 2013.
• Invited by UNESCO to exhibit during the Global Conference , 2013.
• Retrospective on various sites in the city of Metz, including the Musée de la Cour d’Or, 2014.
• Shows with Baudoin Lebon gallery at the Art O’Clock fair, Paris, 2013.
• Black and White magazine: Award Winner, Portfolio Contest, 2013.
• Grand Prix Eurazeo for Photography, 2013.
• Publication of the monograph “ “les éveillés”, 2014
• Invited by the Mairie de Paris for “Bridges and Cultures” , 2015
• Winner of the International Competition « Spirit of the Mediterranean », organized by PHOTOMED and LENSCULTURE. 2016
• « Monochrome Photographer of the Year « January 2017 (Monochrome Awards)
• Selected for Festfoto Brazil May 2017
back to gallery
