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© Joel Sartore/National Geographic.
Sartore like Noah? Oh please!
Joel Sartore and the National Geographic it is hard not to think that we have cultivated with care a kind of delusion of grandeur. Otherwise it is difficult to explain how they can have decided to embark on (forgive the choice of verb...) in the undertaking of realising a Photographic Ark that contains the images of the 12,000 animal species that live on our planet. Without wanting to think badly in believing that it is a mere marketing operation. In other words, already in the title are the potentialities of a hint, based on the demagogic conceptual banality of the project coated with a salvific allure that derives from the cautious use of words.
© Joel Sartore/National Geographic.
Beyond the objective value of Sartore's images, which fully respond to the formal flattening needs that have made the National Geographic famous, the proposition of work in terms of an operation aimed at safeguarding animal species seems more appropriate to raising awareness to a class of primary school children with some cognitive problems rather than an audience with a minimum of critical spirit and common sense. An audience unwilling in other words to be charmed by the choice of a deliberately metaphorical title (L'arche photographique) and precisely for this overloaded with biblical references to describe an operation that, however complicated, can only fall into the category of cataloguing. To define Sartore as a «Noah of modern times», as is stated in the presentation text, is a lame and stentorian rhetorical exercise that is almost nearing the ridiculous. Without considering that in its history, photography with difficulty has produced concrete transformations in situations characterised by great problems...
The setting of the exhibition L'Arche photographique at the Labyrinthe végétal in La Gacilly within the Festival Photo La Gacilly 2017. © Stefania Biamonti/FPmag.
That being said, the value of the photographer does not appear to be in question, both for the immense scope of the work performed and for the average realisation. Although a fall in the level appears to be evident in the selection proposed at La Gacilly, as for example in one of the images given to the press and which we publish above. Having said this and honoured the author for his patience and the remarkable technical skills behind a complex and articulated work such as this, I stand by my view that photography is much more and these are mere illustrations, though well executed in the absolute majority of cases.
The setting of the exhibition L'Arche photographique at the Labyrinthe végétal in La Gacilly within the Festival Photo La Gacilly 2017. © Stefania Biamonti/FPmag.
The setting up inside the Labyrinthe Végétal, a place of great fascination that the images we have published do not do it justice, seems to be a perfect choice, though not always effective. The union between the plant and animal photographs is definitely an idea that in its simplicity works. The limit if anything can be sought in the compatibility of some species with the arboreal landscape that hosts the exhibition. They are probably subtle details that result less bearable if you were lucky enough to admire the set up realised in last year's edition at the same venue.
The exhibition, however, is still an excellent solution for those families with children who want to spend half a day in a pleasant environment, offering the youngsters subjects of interest that are unlikely to be realised by those who work in photography with a capital P. [ Sandro Iovine ]
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L'ARCHE PHOTOGRAPHIQUE
by Joel Sartore
Labyrinthe végétal - La Gacilly (France)
3 June – 30 September 2017
entrance fee: free entry
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[ INTERNAL RESOURCES ]
◉ [ FPtag ] Festival Photo La Gacilly 2017: the editorial staff point of view
◉ [ FPtag ] Festival Photo La Gacilly 2016: the editorial staff point of view
◉ [ events ] Festival Photo La Gacilly 2017
◉ [ events ] Festival Photo La Gacilly 2015
[ EXTERNAL RESOURCES ]
◎ Joel Sartore
◎ Festival Photo La Gacilly
published on 2017-06-05 in NEWS / EXHIBITIONS
LAGACILLY LAGACILLY2017 JoelSartore SandroIovinemore in EXHIBITIONS
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