DESIGN NAME: Forgotten Paris
PRIMARY FUNCTION: Photographic Inventory
INSPIRATION: Many underground passageways in the depths of Paris haven't ever been photographed. Originally these are old abandoned limestone quarries, and their story dates to the 12th century. Most of them are under threat of demolition for security reason or subterranean construction. These photographs are intended to make the public discover an old forgotten heritage, before it is too late.
UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The use of an analog camera, black and white film and candles to light the scene makes it possible to reconnect places with the past. It also provides a contrasting rendering, which reinforces the dark atmosphere that reigns in these abandoned undergrounds. This impression of mystery created by this lighting brings to this project a dimension on the border of the codes of the classic documentary photography.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: This project can be exhibited in art galleries or as part of cultural exhibitions related to the history of Paris. The images can also be used in books or on websites, with the subject of the history of Paris or more specifically the history of underground quarries in Paris or around the world. They can therefore generally be used for technical, historical or artistic purposes.
PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: The project started in 2011, but it is a life-long project because there are more than 155 miles of galleries under Paris and its suburbs (city of Bagneux, Arcueil, Montrouge ...). The project presented here ended in October 2012. Other existing photographs of Parisian undergrounds are not included in this project and will be presented in the future in the form of other stories.
FITS BEST INTO CATEGORY: Photography and Photo Manipulation Design
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PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: Project realized with an analog camera, 4x5 inch black and white negative film, ISO 400 (Cambo Wide camera) or square negative (Hasselblad camera). The exposure time varies between 1 and 5 minutes. A wide angle lens is used most of the time. Candles or acethylene lamps are used to illuminate places, sometimes a flashlight is used too. Then the images are digitized in high resolution with a Flextight scanner. Finally a basic digital retouching is realized with the Photoshop software.
SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: These digital images can be printed on any photo media using appropriate technology. Scanned with high definition, these images can be printed on superwide format.
TAGS: underground quarries of Paris, unknown Paris, catacombs of Paris, Héricart de Thury, underground consolidation, Charles-Axel Guillaumot, cataphiles, quarry of limestone, underground quarry of Arcueil, underground Paris
RESEARCH ABSTRACT: This project is a major initiative aimed at iventoring a maximum of underground places in Paris and its suburbs. Wherever possible, each new photo must represent a location that has never been photographed before. Some images would never have been possible without meeting people (such as the SEADACC association in Paris) who shared essential information (some access to places for example).
CHALLENGE: The use of these underground is prohibited by law. Entrance should be as discreet as possible. It is very easy to get lost and the old maps available are often obsolete. Sometimes there is not even a map. Using a compass and ground mark can help. Some places can be very dangerous (collapses, lack of oxygen), the use of an oxygen sensor is vital. Reaching some places requires hours of walking and some passages are extremely narrow, the material must be kept to a minimum.
ADDED DATE: 2019-02-26 14:24:59
TEAM MEMBERS (1) :
IMAGE CREDITS: Image #1: Photographer Matthieu Bouvier, Stairs of the Black Cow, 2012.
Image #2: Photographer Matthieu Bouvier, Laelith, 2012.
Image #3: Photographer Matthieu Bouvier, Anschluss, 2012.
Image #4: Photographer Matthieu Bouvier, The castle, 2011.
Image #5: Photographer Matthieu Bouvier, The passer-through-walls, 2012.
PATENTS/COPYRIGHTS: Copyrights belong to Matthieu Bouvier
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