Denis Darzacq

Denis Darzacq is represented by Galerie Rx in Paris, Laurence Miller Gallery in New York and De Soto Gallery in Los Angeles. His work is exhibited regularly both in France and internationally. Recent exhibitions: Lianzhou Museum of Photography (China), Matmut Foundation for Contemporary Art (France), Ajaccio Museum of Fine Arts (Corsica), La Maison Européenne de la Photographie (Paris), and Dansmuseet museum of dance (Stockholm), among others. He was awarded the Niepce Prize in 2012; the World Press Photo, Arts & Entertainment category, in 2007; and the Prix Altadis in 2000.

DENIS DARZACQ MEETS CAMILLE FOURNET

For maison Camille Fournet, the artist explores notions of recycling and savoir-faire by working with scraps of leather from the factory. With these discards, reminders of the power of the work tool and the craftsman’s hand, he has created a work of art that cleverly plays up the contradictions between positive and negative space, color and shape.

équinoxes

« Those discarded and neglected offcuts draw their artistic force from the absence of the noblest parts. »

What made you want to participate in the équinoxes project?
I met Françoise and Jean-Luc Déchery at the inauguration of their new factory in Tergnier, in the Aisne region of France. Having been invited to present a video installation for the occasion, I had the opportunity to appreciate the authenticity of their commitment to artists, their openness and the simplicity with which their belief that art is a part of life was evident that day. Discovering the world of leather goods and exceptional craftsmanship fascinated me, and I immediately grasped how the raw materials could resonate with my current endeavors.

What sources of inspiration guided your process?
When I visited the ateliers, I was able to observe how artisans subtract geometric shapes from leathers and skins to create bags, wallets and bracelets. As an extension of my current research, I wanted to work with the leather scraps. Those discarded and neglected offcuts draw their artistic force from the absence of the noblest parts.

How would you like your work to be understood?
My photographs play up contrast and explore the contradiction between positive and negative space and plays of light. For this artwork, I used techniques like folding, crumpling, cutting and tearing to rearrange materials into what seems like chaotic assemblage, altering the scale of their appearance. Absence N•17 is a photographic reproduction of those assemblages. An abstract composition in bold colors, in which remnants, negative space and photographic archives achieve equilibrium.

Absence N•17, Denis Darzacq, 2020
Photo credit: Kinuko Asano

Absence N•17
Artist at work
Photo credit: Kinuko Asano

Absence N•17
Details of the artwork
Photo credit: Kinuko Asano

CAMILLE FOURNET AIME JOUER AVEC LES MATIÈRES ET LES COULEURS. NOUS AIMONS LES CRÉATEURS, LEUR INVENTIVITÉ, LEURS PROUESSES ET LE MERVEILLEUX QU’ILS SUSCITENT.