Tuesday October 15 and Wednesday October 16, the town of Saint-Angel in Corrèze welcomes the famous photographer. As part of his project, the French and those who live in France, he invites residents to strike a pose.
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“Look how beautiful they are, we want to have you!” Barely arrived in Saint-Angel, Yanne Arthus-Betrand fell in admiration of strong bearded gendarmes. Even they will pass in front of his goal. In addition to the gendarmes, a horticulturist from Corrèze and his sister also pose.
“It’s the first time we’ve been photographed by a professional. It’s a little unsettling, a little directive. But it seems that in the end, there will be a pretty nice photo.”
The Corréziens in front of the objective of Yann Arthus-Bertrand
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© France Télévisions – Ines de Pampelonne
A couple shows up with two dogs, full beard for him, tattoos on their arms for her.
The Corréziens in front of the objective of Yann Arthus-Bertrand
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© France Télévisions – Ines de Pampelonne
“We wanted to send a message, every life counts.” Following models: Pascale and Bernard arrive with a guitar and a Viking loom.
“It’s wonderful, it was unexpected that he would come this far to show the originality of people and the fact that these are old professions which can continue and which must continue” explains Pascale, delighted.
The Corréziens in front of the objective of Yann Arthus-Bertrand
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© France Télévisions – Ines de Pampelonne
Come as you are, the photographer’s only instruction to these one-day models. The modus operandi is always the same. They are photographed in front of the same burlap tarpaulin. Under the lens, families, single individuals, in work clothes or in civilian clothes, accompanied by animals, dogs, cats, horses… A mosaic of individuals which will ultimately paint a portrait of French society. In any case, this is the idea of photographer Yann Arthus Bertrand. A project that is not new.
“What I want is to make France. To really show what it is to be French and to show what has this kind of spark of pride in being French and I like that.
“It all began in 1993, with photographs commissioned by L’Express which unknowingly initiated unprecedented and ambitious work on the French. It was in 2023, during a meeting with Hervé Le Bras, French demographer and historian, that Yann decided to complete this photographic work and enrich it with a demographic and educational dimension. explains the site The French and those who live in France.
23,000 photos have already been taken and this year the pace is accelerating. 45 ephemeral studios will be installed throughout France. Among them, the town of Saint-Angel is one of the smallest along the route. The meeting was held in the multipurpose room where the famous burlap was erected. Residents were invited to register on the project website to participate.
The photos are not all taken at random, the photographer uses themes that correspond to the INSEE population census to paint the most faithful possible portrait of the country. Thus, certain professions were particularly expected: truck drivers for example, but also senior civil servants or traditional professions.
Ultimately, the photos will illustrate works and a major traveling exhibition. The photo session continues tomorrow Wednesday October 16.
