A cradle of talent and land of art since
its beginnings, Brittany has always
captured the attention of artists, French
and foreign, drawn to the incessant,
renewable source of inspiration in this
region at the edge of the world.
Carnac Beach
Since
the beginning of the 19th century,
master painters have faithfully visited
the Breton coasts, charmed by its
landscapes, as well as the customs and
traditions of its inhabitants.
Thanks to
Henry Bacon, Paul Gauguin and Paul Sérusier, the towns of Pont-Aven and
Le Pouldu have become popular haunts
for a diaspora of colourful artists.
In Belle-île, Claude Monet was
enchanted by the tumultuous beauty
of the wild coast.
Nabi artist Maurice
Denis once said that the pink granite
coast of Perros-Guirec was “the most
beautiful view in the world”. Some
choose to immortalise scenes of beach
activity and familial happiness, while
others prefer to focus on the rich harbour
life.
Pointe du Cosmeur (Carantec)
Brittany does not leave any painter
wanting for more.
Photography has since climbed to the
height of popular art and Brittany now
attracts the lenses of experienced artists.
Philip Plisson’s portrayals of maritime
life, Yann Arthus-Bertrand’s aerial
views, Erwan Quéméré’s sailboats and
Jean Guichard’s lighthouses abundantly
adorn posters and postcards dedicated
to the region.
But this ever-changing
and inspiring region will not be tamed
by just a few famous names. The goal
of “Objectif Nouvelle Vague” is to take
a fresh look at Brittany with a renewed
photographic aesthetic.
Foreign artists in residence
For the first time, in 2006, the “Stations
Nouvelle Vague” association and the
Brittany Tourist Board initiated a project
to offer a group of foreign photographers
the opportunity to immortalise their
visions, emotions and vivid poetic
evocations of Brittany with their
cameras.
Coastline at Pointe de Corsen
For the first “Objectif Nouvelle
Vague”, five Scottish photographers
were invited to stay in eight resorts
participating in the programme scattered
along the shoreline. They were given
one month to freely wander about the
Breton coasts and uncover the unusual
details, summer light, perfect view,
etc.
In spring 2007, the fruits of their
labour and activities will be on show
in a travelling exhibition, presented at each of their different
residences.
The group will then exhibit in Paris,
before departing for their homeland of
Scotland.
As well as promoting Brittany and its
most lively seaside resorts, “Objectif
Nouvelle Vague” also aims to renew
the way the region is perceived, in the
long tradition of exchanges and cultural
mixing.
What better way to revive our
faculty for wonder and rediscover a
region that we think we know so well
than to ask foreign eyes what they see?
Brittany as you’ve never seen it before
On the coasts of North Finistère, near
Roscoff, Malcolm Mac Gregor closely
watches the waves batter the rocks in a
turbulent froth.
Used to photographing
wide open spaces, he captures Lake
Drennec, in the Arrée Mountains, in
all its glory by playing with light and
colour, melting the landscapes in a soft
pink glow.
Anne Darling is familiar with
France and Brittany. She works with pink
to capture the incredible stone sculptures
on the shores of Perros-Guirec, tracking
the details of tiny objects on the horizon
– a passing sailboat, a faithful fisherman
standing at his post, etc. – which give her
photos a vibrant human touch in a world
of strange mineral contours.
In the bay
of Saint Quay Portrieux, Alan Cairns
points his lens at the beach and harbour. Water and sailing occupy his thoughts
and shots, like an Impressionist painter
in blue monochrome. In Saint Cast le
Guildo, Morven Gregor prefers using
the minute details of daily life to expose
his landscapes with startling perspective.
And for Silvy Weatherall, everything
seems to be a pretext for capturing the
often unnoticed geometrical objects
which shape our environment. Near
Fouesnant les Glénan, the rectangular
flags of a fish pot or the colourful lines
of a trawler hull make up as many
abstract paintings, where the figurative
becomes mere form.
The Scottish photographers use their
own unique styles to expose Brittany, its
inhabitants and landscapes.
In Carnac,
Pénestin or Carantec, in macro or wide
angle shots, the photos invite us to find
a new appreciation of the region. It is
an invitation to leave the path most
travelled and cross over to the other side
of the lens.
Fouesnant Early morning Beg meil
In 2006, the reception of five Scottish
photographers inaugurated the first
of a long series of European artists
in residence, and the next series has
already been planned.
For more information, visit
the “Stations Nouvelle Vague”
association’s website at:
www.stations-bretagne.com.
credits
: Brittany
Tourist Board
France Regions Brittany
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