Solo exhibition at Blue Lotus Gallery
‘The Blue Moment’
by Romain Jacquet-Lagrèze
7 May 2016 – 25 June 2016
Opening Cocktail, Book Launch and Signing: Saturday May 7th (4-8pm)
© Romain Jacquet-Lagrèze, The Blue Moment #6, Hong Kong 2015
Blue Lotus Gallery is very proud to present Romain Jacquet-Lagrèze first solo exhibition: ‘The Blue Moment’.
The Blue Moment is shot during those hot summer nights when day is ending. The sky is still very bright, while the city is already lit up getting ready for the night.
Starting on May 7th 2016, about 10 large pieces from his brand new series “Blue Moment’ will be displayed at Blue Lotus Gallery in Chai Wan along his previously celebrated work: ‘Vertical Horizon’. The spectacular cityscapes echo the unique character of the exhibition-space itself which has a stunning view looking out over industrial buildings dotted in front of a the china sea.
ABOUT THE EXHIBITION:
"The sun was shining on the sea,
Shining with all his might:
He did his very best to make
The billows smooth and bright —
And this was odd, because it was
The middle of the night.
…
Excerpt from “The Walrus and the Carpenter’ by Lewis Caroll (author of ‘Alice in Wonderland’)
According to art world legends this poem inspired surrealist Rene Magritte for the making of one of his most famous paintings: ‘Empire of the light’. This masterpiece depicts the paradoxical image of a nighttime street, lit only by a single street light, beneath a daytime sky. As per Magritte: “This evocation of night and day seems to me to have the power to surprise and delight us. I call this power: poetry". The painting is almost monochromatic, showing only blue, white, black, and yellow/gold. In theme and color scheme it’s not unlike Romain’s latest series: ‘The Blue Moment’.
Yet Romain’s work is real; documenting that split moment at summer’s dusk when the city turns blue. Over two summers the artist scouted elevated vantage points with a large format camera. No filter or heavy photo shopping has been applied.
As per the artist: 'For me, photography is a way to cast fleeting moments in still images. Moments don’t last; places and people disappear in time. One particular day I was shooting the city at sunset, bright light washed out most of the colors, you could feel the heat through the images. I decided to stay a little longer to watch the sun going down and the city lighting up. I witnessed how just for few minutes the city was enveloped in a deep blue haze. The blueness projected itself ferociously onto the buildings that looked colorless just a little while before. I was deeply impressed. The only way to eternalize this ephemeral moment was with my camera.’
The surreal character of his blue-laced imagery is enhanced by the composition: structures and nature are framed as they were cut up and put together. The density of the city is mirrored by nature that’s as intense.
Hong Kong’s photogenic character attracts many photographers. Capturing it in a new original way is becoming increasingly challenging. Romain already surprised the world with his popular photobook “Vertical Horizons” capturing HK from a unique but simple angle: upwards. His photography went viral on social media and consequently was featured in many major international and local publications (Guardian, El Pais, Figaro, Herald Tribune, Lonely Planet, Huffington Post and many others). With his latest oeuvre ‘the Blue Moment’ the artist pulled it of again and documented this city in an unprecedented and unexpected way. By this Romain JL confirms his position as one of Hong Kong’s exciting young photographers, one that’s here to stay. I can’t wait to see what he will come up with next.
Address: Blue Lotus Gallery, 1606 Chai Wan Ind’l City Phase 1, 60 Wing Tai Street, Chai Wan, Hong Kong.
OPENING HOURS: Thurs-Sat. 2-6 pm, otherwise on appointment
For any inquiries, please contact Sarah Greene at sarah@bluelotus-gallery.com
