The exhibition “The Art of Kinetic Photography over Time” is being held at the Lincoln cinema, as part of the Franco-Lebanese Film Festival (FFLF). The event continues until October 20, 2024.
The exhibition The Art of Kinetic Photography Over Timeinitiated and organized by Fabienne Touma, founder and president of El Fan, explores the border between photography and cinema through two main themes: bodily blur and the dance of the elements. It reflects the transition from the still image to the moving image. It thus reveals new artistic forms and plays with temporality and the perception of reality, while inviting reflection on the ephemeral moment captured by art. Fabienne Touma explains how these works subtly transform our understanding of time and movement, opening a window into the ephemeral captured in a timeless way.
Could you explain to us the concept of your exhibition?
The exhibition I designed takes place in a cinema, a place where it is not always possible to hang works like in a gallery. I therefore chose to use the staircase, the only point of passage between the different levels, as a bridge between reality and fiction. My work focuses on kinetic photography, a particular technique that captures movement through long exposure times. The idea was to create a route along the staircase, where the images would start with still shots and gradually evolve into moving images, thus guiding visitors towards the projection rooms. It is a true pictorial journey through cinema and photography.
How did you select the photographers and their works for this exhibition?
With kinetic photography, images come to life and photographers tell their stories differently. I have selected photographers who use this technique in a unique way. First of all, Philippe Aractingi, whose photography focuses on pumps, and more particularly a heel, invites visitors to rediscover the magic of human interactions and to feel the intensity of the emotions conveyed by the body in movement. The sharpness on the heel contrasts with the surrounding blur, encapsulating the essence of the woman’s bodily movement. Next, Sary Asmar explores the four elements of nature; fire, wind, water and earth, as well as the cosmos, the fifth element, which he photographs during his long nights of exposure. His series captures the rotation of stars and adds a temporal dimension to our understanding of the universe. His works also include examples of photo-painting with light. Nadim El Khoury, meanwhile, creates aquatic images imbued with a ghostly effect, capturing water in an almost transcendent form. Furthermore, fascinated by the Northern Lights, he reveals their intensity through his photographs while playing with starlight. Finally, Pierre Abou Jawdé offers us a series of children playing on the beach, reflecting the experience of Lebanese children, with fading silhouettes, symbolizing an early awareness of the social reality that surrounds them. Some of my own photographs are also on display, inspired by my dance practice, seeking to capture the journey of movement through the lens.
What were the main logistical and emotional challenges in preparing the exhibition?
By founding El Fan, my goal was to tell the stories of artists by putting my expertise at their service. My project aims to promote their creations in various artistic fields, by highlighting their vision of the world. The biggest challenge was making sure all the artwork would be ready on time. Ten days before the opening, I still had not received all the pieces. I had to have the photos reprinted from one of the photographers in France. It was a real challenge, both logistical and emotional, in these times, knowing how much this exhibition was awaited, both by the artists and the public.
