OBJECTS D’JOUR (Objects of the Day)
Industrial objects always have fascinated me. For some, form transcends function to become sculptural objects that command attention, and praise. In this series I focused in objects that were once fashionable and widely used. In the present day some of them have become vintage tools, others have been substituted by the technological progress. Still the objects in these photographs captivated me with their dignified beauty and strength to survive into the 21st century.
Objets du Jour is part of my Hyperrealism: En Noir series of photographs. Inspired by 18th century Trompe-l'œil, a style of painting in which objects are depicted with extreme realistic detail, I set out to use the advanced digital medium format photography and luxury studio lightning techniques to reproduce this effect.
Traditionally in Trompe-l'œil paintings the subject is placed on top or in front of a surface. Such technique will fool the eye in that the object seems so real that it can be touched. The artists championing this style were concerned with exploring the perspective plane that lies in between the surface and the observer, in direct contrast with Renaissance paintings that concern themselves with perspective inside the canvas.
In my photographs I wanted to negate the perspective inside the canvas using a deep, enveloping black background. Although, using black would create a vacuum behind the object, making it more challenging to achieve the desired Trompe-l'œil effect. Therefore to achieve hyperrealism, the only tools I was left with would be: light to sculpt the object in the most vivid detail and advanced optics to capture it. The use of black can be traced to my love of Film Noir, cinematography, and lighting for stage performances.
I see the Objets du Jour series as photographic hybrids between light & optics; technology & technique; Trompe-l'œil & Film Noir; minimalism & drama. Ultimately, the Objects in the photographs emerge out with a stage presence that remind us of the glory and affection that they enjoyed back in the day.
