During the bustling Rencontres de la Photographie d'Arles festival, traveling photographer Nicolas Lutzius has chosen an unconventional venue to showcase his work: a colorful mosaic of photographs displayed on a wall along Rue du Docteur Fanton. The outdoor exhibition features poetic images born from his travels around the world, captured using traditional photographic techniques that remain faithful to old-school methods.
On the stones of an Arles wall, the vibrant mosaic catches the eyes of passersby who stop, observe, ask questions, and sometimes leave with a photograph under their arm. Here, on the margins of official exhibitions, Lutzius has chosen to share his artistic universe. His collection includes a temple surrounded by forest and mist, two pelicans facing the sea, and an elephant with its trainer. Originally from Lyon but now based in Marseille, this photographer captures moments and scenes that he has lived through and that have inspired him during his travels to India, Peru, Myanmar, Colombia, Guatemala, and Nepal.
As an itinerant photographer, Lutzius doesn't exhibit in galleries but takes his work to the streets, displaying behind the Marseille Opera, on the walls of the Carnavalet Museum, and even at the Bank of France in Paris. "This allows me to offer my photos at affordable prices, between 10 and 50 euros, far from the prices charged in galleries," he explains. In Arles, the opportunity was too good to pass up to invite himself into the setting of the renowned photography festival.
The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with locals, tourists, and even celebrities appreciating his photographs. "I sold to Vincent Macaigne and Gustave Kervern, the creator of Groland," Lutzius notes with pride. His street exhibition approach democratizes art by making photography accessible to a broader audience who might not typically visit traditional gallery spaces.
What makes Lutzius's exhibition particularly unique is his daily ritual of creating fresh compositions. Each evening, he carefully dismantles his display, only to create an entirely new arrangement the following day. This ever-changing presentation ensures that visitors who return will discover different combinations and perspectives of his travel photography, making each encounter with his work a unique experience that reflects the dynamic nature of his artistic journey.
