Laurence Leblanc’s Out-of-focus, Dreamlike Images
To confront the out-of-focus images of fleeting moments by the internationally acclaimed photographer Laurence Leblanc is an unsettling yet fascinating experience. Born and raised in Paris, Leblanc took courses in design and painting at a very young age. She also trained in engraving at the “Ecole des Arts décoratifs du Louvre”. Eventually, she took to photography and chose childhood as her theme. She made her debut in 1993 with a project on the Droit au Logement (the right to accommodation) and collaboration with the artist Peter Gabriel.
The dreamlike images — most of it in black and white — provoke thoughts and questions rather than providing conclusive answers. When asked to comment on the idiosyncratic texture of her photos, the photographer said: “First of all, I never wanted to show reality (in the most literal sense of the word) with details in my work. When I was painting and drawing as a child, I had a fondness for this particular kind of texture — as you’ve called it.” The subject of most of her photos is childhood. The joyful children’s games are overshadowed by an ominous apprehension of violence and memories of terror from the past. The most remarkable aspect of her photos is that they suggest a lot of things that are not visible.
Leblanc has won several prestigious awards including the Foundation HSBC Award in 2003, Kodak Award 2001, and Villa Médicis Award in 2000. In 2009, her exhibition “Seul l’ air” [only air] consisting of images shot in Africa was presented at the 40th International Photography Festival in Arles, France.
Her solo exhibition, titled “Can All Dreams be Found Somewhere Else?” was inaugurated on January 22 at La Gallery of Alliance Française de Dhaka.
The session was presided over by Dr. Shahidul Alam, director of Chobi Mela and Dr. Hameeda Hossain, founder member of ‘Ain O Shalish Kendra’ was present as the chief guest. Apart from the photos exhibited, the highlight of the session was the artiste herself who patiently answered the queries from viewers.
The exhibition ends on February 3.
