A wonderful journey – sixtic

The gallery's
opinion

“Wonderful Journey – sixtic” presents the narrative and intimate photographic project of the young contemporary photographer Aurélia Faudot.

AN AMERICAN STAGE

The project takes shape between the end of her studies in California, her debut in a photo studio in San Francisco and her return to France a few months before the pandemic. The artist filled her backpack with colourful dresses, slung her camera over her shoulder, and set off to travel the roads of the American West Coast. This project is set in Lake Tahoe in Nevada, the cliffs of the Santa Cruz region, the Grand Canyon in Arizona and the Californian water reserves.

AN INITIATORY ADVENTURE

She made a series of self-portraits at a pivotal age and stage in her life. She was 20 years old and it was the beginning of a new life on a new continent. Just out of your teens, you think you know a lot. You have made many decisions for the rest of your life, you want to eat the world. At the same time, you feel overwhelmed by the immensity of the journey ahead.

Twenty is an age at which any conviction can quickly be shaken. Projects can fall apart, be rebuilt and the vision of life can change.

In this work, the young photographer explores self-discovery, liberation through change of scenery and travel. She also addresses the notions of happiness, fulfilment and material (dis)possession.

A COLLECTIVE NARRATIVE

Finally, these balloons symbolise all those things that carry us, that lift us out of the water, that help us to grow but also to flee. We hold on to them tightly. But these balloons are only what they are and, pushed by the wind, they can quickly change direction or fly away permanently. They then invite us to question their presence but above all the possibility of their absence.

This project, carried out at the end of 2017, has since taken on a new nuance in the light of the exceptional situations we are all experiencing. This need for travel, freedom and emancipation intensifies and becomes all the more important as we measure its fragility.

“Wonderful Journey – sixtic” presents the artist’s six self-portraits. In a single print, the work evokes the transition from childhood to adulthood with humour and lightness. A guaranteed favourite!