The lesson

[Cedric MASSOULIER]

Hi all,

I'm going to try to propose you a more interesting picture today...

This one is called "The lesson".

It has been shot in Orsay Museum in Paris, dedicated to works of art from 1848 to 1914.

I was interested by several subjects combined in one frame :

- relationships between art and people, especially intermediaries who are "passeurs de culture" as this man who is giving his lesson to people who are religiously listenning to him

- cultural staging : how these masterpieces of painting are presented, what is the space organization ? Impact of museum infrastructure, like these spots hanging from the ceiling ? Mood of museum could evoke a church...

- archetypes among the characters : the teacher, the dark and anonymous crowd on the left which represents the mass culture, some illuminated and more lonely people on the left and the right who could represent more cultivated persons...

- I let the wall in the foreground visible, to evoke my own position, as a photographer-"voyeur" who is watching but not participating this cultural lesson. This empty surface symbolizes my presence.

- formal aspect of the picture which is divided in several geometrical zones, each with a function

- works of art included into another artistic tentative

This picture belongs to series of 12 images that i called "place of culture".

CC are welcome !

Yashica Electro 35 GTN, Tri-X 400, film scan

 

[doug anderson]

Cedric: I, who am mostly against excessive photo manipulation, would like to see a nude sprawled on the large flat surface. Or a cat. Rat? Something: that space is aching to be filled.

 

[Mike Shimwell]

Cedric

I really like this, and am quite content with the empty space - no nudes required

The tonality is lovely and the image does draw out the relationships amongst the people and with the artwork, as you say through the intermediary (priest?). I'm not so sure of the dark mass of people representing the mass culture, but it's not for me to argue with your intent.

Thanks for sharing

Mike

 

[Cedric MASSOULIER]

I'm not so sure of the dark mass of people representing the mass culture

It was only a work hypothesis and my english is too poor to let me express what i really feel As a matter of fact, dark mass of people represent for me anonymous people who are staying and listenning to the teacher-guide without pretention. Common people if you prefer.

Thank you Mike and Doug for your comments.