The Galerie A. is exhibiting from April 29 to June 05, 2010 “Deserts”, a series of a dozen photographs by the American artist David Zimmermann.
For two whole years, the photographer criss-crossed the 1700 square kilometers of the deserts of the American Southwest (California, Nevada, New Mexico…) in search of the ideal light and conditions. Often, the pictures were taken at nightfall or in the light of stormy days. This series dedicated to deserts takes an absolute and contemplative look at one of the most intriguing natural elements of our planet, the arid deserts and their sandy immensity.
The images are both full and pure, but above all they have a relaxing character. While contemplating these virgin spaces, I found myself caught up in these places, almost crushed by the immensity of the expanses that sometimes seem to merge with the sky. I found myself looking for traces of life, like the footprints that can be seen when you get close to certain photos.
I was captivated by these photos before I even knew where they were taken. The use of black and white to accentuate the contrasts pays homage to the moment with a depth that a color print of these American deserts would not have. And there was my second surprise, I didn’t imagine great expanses of sand in the American Southwest. Rather, large, arid, rocky canyons. And yet, they exist and that is what can seem frightening, large sandy expanses where man seems unable to survive, where any trace of his passage is swept away by a gust of wind.
David Zimmermann comments on his work:” We are obliged to exploit the resources of our planet in order to survive. This is the enormous paradox of human existence.
My work in these natural, altered and endangered landscapes is an attempt to find answers. I try to discover the balance between human needs and the consequences of the persistent depletion of the planet’s resources.
My inspiration for my first series of deserts came from the very nature of these great spaces, sometimes tranquil, sometimes ferocious. My own response to this paradox, and my interaction with these environments, also fueled this inspiration.
Beyond the extraordinary beauty and immensity of the scenery unfolding before my eyes, I began to sense the fragile balance of man’s presence on this territory. The desert can haunt you. In the dark, in the heat or in the storm, I felt my own vulnerability.”
David Zimmermann was born in the United States in 1955 in Milwaukee. He works primarily in New York City and Taos, New Mexico. He studied at the Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara, California. Very sensitive to the issues related to the modernization and degradation of the Earth, he had his home and studio in Taos built by LEED (the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) in order to optimize its consumption of natural and renewable energy.
David Zimmerman’s current work includes projects in the desert southwest of the United States and around the Salton Sea in California. He also undertook a documentary work along the “Ganges River” in India. In 2009, David Zimmerman had the honor of receiving the “Golden Iris,” the grand prize of the Sony World Photography Awards (Photographer of the Year) where he presented the series “Deserts.
There are many ways to raise awareness on environmental issues, David Zimmermann has chosen to show us his views from his perspective.
Photo credit: © David Zimmermann with the courtesy of A. Galerie
A. Galerie
12 Rue Leonce Reynaud 75116 Paris
Tel: +33 6 20 85 85 85
www.a-galerie.fr
Marie-Odile Radom
Cette publication est également disponible en : Français (French)
