Scenes of Life

photographs by
Lucie and Simon

A new exhibition at Galerie Baudoin Lebon in Paris showcases the work of young Franco-German photographers Lucie and Simon, who were recently awarded the 2010 HSBC Prix pour la Photographie.

In their series, Scenes of Life, Lucie and Simon present moments we're all familiar with: a breakfast, a nap on the sofa, a swim in a pool. All of the mundane clutter of everyday life is there in abundant and clear detail. What gives the viewer a real jolt of delight, however, is that all of this is seen from directly overhead, looking straight down -- a seemingly impossible perspective, especially for the photographs made inside the rooms of their home.

The peaceful, hovering point-of-view is reminiscent of scenes from Wim Wenders' Wings of Desire, where we share the delight of seeing things through an angel's eyes from on high. Or perhaps it's the feeling one would have in a pleasant out-of-body experience, looking down on oneself, disembodied, floating, detached, removed, above all the hubbub.

We're simultaneously given a voyeuristic look inside a private moment — and challenged to unravel the technical feats necessary to pull off a series of work like this.

These photos make you smile, and also make you appreciate the creative vision of artists who are able to show us the joys of everyday life, with a twist.

— Jim Casper


Exhibition:

Galerie Baudoin Lebon
38 Rue Ste Croix de la Bretonnerie
75004 Paris
24 June to 24 July 2010

The Prix HSBC pour la Photographie has been awarded every year since 1996, with the aim of supporting and promoting the work of as yet little-known photographers. It is awarded to contemporary living photographers who represent real life, without consideration of age or nationality.