Resulting from a collaboration between the Natural Diamond Council and photographer Sonia Sieff, the exhibition Big Bang at the Parisian gallery La Cité from November 22 to 24, 2024 goes beyond the classic boundaries of jewelry by offering an immersion in the world of diamonds through art.
After becoming interested in the artistic male nude with her series Appointment ! which was the subject of a book and a Parisian exhibition at the start of the year, photographer Sonia Sieff moves away from humans to offer an offbeat look at a precious gem. It places the diamond in the context of its cosmic origin, while celebrating its contemporary brilliance.
In this large white glass-roofed gallery on rue Réaumur, we are far from the hushed exhibitions where the diamond sits majestically in glass showcases jealously guarded. Here the eye is drawn to the stone walls where his photographs are installed: the work of light, texture and staging, typical of the artist, magnifies the smallest detail of this precious stone. Each shot underlines the importance of the diamond as an object of desire but also as a symbol of eternity and transformation.
Next door, the old porch of the place has been transformed into a cozy room where videos are projected on one of the unique natural environments where diamonds come from, that is to say the virgin territories of the North- West in the subarctic region of Canada. Some photos of its magnificent landscapes hang on the wall.
Also listen to testimonies from local communities talking about the extraction of stones carried out with respect for environmental protection. A way to discover another role played by diamonds in these conditions: that of supporting the economic and social development of indigenous peoples.
The artist invites you on a journey into the depths of the Earth. It is a discovery of the diamond not only as a precious stone but also as a lasting symbol of nature and the passing of time as shown in certain photographs entitled Big Bang : from the cluster of explosive crystals evoking an expanding concentration of energy to a dark diamond to the vibrating shapes suggesting the first cosmic particles.
In each work, the diamond is a witness to evolution, linking it to the creation of the universe and the raw power from which it emerges. Inspired by the birth of the universe, Sonia Sieff interprets it as a metaphor for the Big Bang, an explosion of light, energy, and creation.
In another photo the diamond rests on kimberlite, a volcanic rock. The contrast of textures between the raw rock and the crystalline purity of the stone reveals a journey of transformation, from raw earth to dazzling brilliance.
The photographer highlights here its geological origin. The diamond was born in the bowels of the Earth and was shaped by more than three billion years of extreme pressure and heat: “Kimberlite is the original setting of the diamond, a rock which also has a history, that of the depths of the Earth. By highlighting it, I wanted to remind you that all beauty has a genesis, always fascinating.“.
Finally, another photograph is striking for its offbeat side: the contrast between the organic texture of the fruits and the cut precision of the diamond creates a strong visual dynamic, marking the link between the ephemeral nature and the timeless perfection of the diamond.
Here, Sonia Sieff explores the relationship between the natural and the artificial, the living and the immortal. From genesis to sustainable material, the artist engages in a dialogue between nature and luxury, between the impermanence of life and the timelessness of the diamond.
Exposition “Big Bang” by Sonia Sieff you November 22 to 24, 2024. La Cité. 71, rue Réaumur. 75002 Paris. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., except Sunday until 4 p.m. Free entry.
