A five-year photographic project documenting young people in rural France has culminated in the publication of a beautiful coffee table book set to be released this Friday, October 3rd. The project, titled "The Rest of the World Doesn't Exist," was created by photographer Cédric Calandraud from the Charente region of France.
Calandraud recently presented his newly published book at the MFR (Maison Familiale Rurale) in La Péruse, where he had a special reunion with one of his subjects. Laura, a young woman who had posed for the photographer four years earlier, recreated her original pose for the book launch event, highlighting the personal connections formed during the long-term project.
The ambitious photographic endeavor focused specifically on rural youth, capturing their lives and experiences over the extended five-year period. Calandraud's work aimed to shed light on the often-overlooked stories and perspectives of young people living in France's countryside, challenging the notion suggested by his provocative title that urban centers are the only places that matter.
Four years ago, Calandraud had already outlined his vision for the project's future. "The objective is to create a photo book in collaboration with sociologists as well as a traveling exhibition," he had announced at the time. True to his word, the photographer has now achieved both goals with the publication of this comprehensive volume.
The book represents not just a collection of photographs but also serves as a sociological study, incorporating the collaborative work with academic researchers that Calandraud had originally envisioned. This interdisciplinary approach adds depth and context to the visual narrative, providing readers with both artistic and analytical perspectives on rural youth culture in contemporary France.
