The Photoclub Antoine Santoru in Port-de-Bouc, France, is marking the 15th anniversary of Photography Week with an ambitious exhibition that transforms the entire city into a visual arts showcase. Over 700 images will be displayed at the Gagarine Hall, while three partner venues extend the photographic journey throughout the city: the Méliès Cinema, the Boris Vian Media Library, and the Fernand Léger Center for Visual Arts.
Brigitte, a five-year member of the Port-de-Bouc photo club, expressed her excitement about organizing this milestone event. "We are hosting 16 regional clubs this year," she explained. "The central area of Gagarine Hall is dedicated to our guest of honor, professional photographer Karine Chavas, who will display large-format works and present her artistic approach on November 22 at 3:30 PM. Members of Photoclub Santoru will showcase their work on themes of mystery and strange atmospheres, both in black and white and color, all in a uniform 40x50 format."
Caroline Malatrait, the club's president, emphasized the collaborative spirit that guided the preparations. "We chose Karine Chavas as our guest of honor together as a group," she said. "This 15th edition is the first to take place outside our usual walls, and we wanted to make it special. Thanks to the Departmental Council's Collection, we are also presenting photographs by Depardon and Rollandin at the Boris Vian Media Library, and works by Varda at the Méliès Cinema, where films dedicated to Varda, Salgado, and Nan Goldin will also be screened."
The program includes a partnership with Micro-Folie at the Fernand Léger Center, featuring a slideshow of local photographers' work on Saturday, November 22, accompanied by a family photography discovery afternoon on Wednesday, November 26. Additionally, a "HighKey" workshop led by André Bordes will be offered at the Elsa Triolet Center, with registration required through the photo club.
Club member Hervé Dandolo praised the choice of guest artist, describing Karine Chavas as "a true photographic artist who brings texture, smoothness, and an extra soul to her carefully composed shots. Each photograph is an artistic journey." Chavas, who identifies herself as a photo-graphic artist, combines light, graphic design, and emotion in her large-format works. Her compositions evoke the universe of painter Vermeer, featuring understated yet sophisticated backgrounds, bursts of lateral light, silent atmospheres, simple gestures, translucent skin textures, and prominent veins. Her lighting doesn't merely illuminate a subject or sometimes tortured character; the artist creates entire worlds and generates emotions that can be deeply moving.
The anniversary celebration will conclude with three "favorite" awards for black and white, color, and best club, presented by Karine Chavas and Michel Mirabel. Marseille-based photography book publisher AA will present a selection of books dedicated to photographic imagery.
This dense, generous, and open anniversary edition promises both photography enthusiasts and newcomers a genuine journey through the art of imagery and a beautiful anniversary celebration for photography in Port-de-Bouc, conceived as an image festival open to all. The opening reception will take place on Saturday, November 22 at 11 AM, with free admission from 10 AM to 6 PM through November 27 at Gagarine Hall, located at 30 rue Charles Nedelec in Port-de-Bouc.
