Public Republic

An interview with the French photographer Jean-Marc Caracci by Denka Koleva

Jean-Marc Caracci about HomoUrbanusEuropeanus

Jean-Marc Caracci

Jean-Marc Caracci is a French photographer with Sicilian origins.

The 15th of April was the opening of his exhibition in The Art Gallery of Dobrich.

Bratislava

How did you come to the idea of Homo Urbanus Europeanus?

In a very simple way: After losing my job in 2006, I decided to be a full time photographer. I was 48 and wanted to make a big project, a kind of “project of my life”. Being 150% in favour of Europe, for new countries in the European Union [like Turkey for example], the idea came to me to shoot the Man in all the European capitals, and in a way to unite all European countries by the art of photography.

Riga

Why did you choose to use black and white photography?

That’s the eternal question!… Well, I can personnally bear a color photo when it is not very colorful. I mean with only a few tones, like black, white and different greys with black&white. There is often something that disturbs your glance on a color pic. Or better to say that the color photo is not good when something disturbs your glance… and this is the same for black&white pics. Regarding shooting in the city and in the street, it is very difficult – maybe impossible – to make a color photo with nothing, no object, no advertising, or simply no color which disturbs your glance. So, for HUE project, black&white is definitely the best way to shoot.

Stockholm

Doesn’t the lack of color make the man in the picture look lonely and emotionless?

I don’t think so. The characters in my images look lonely because I simply choose to hunt them separately. Indeed, it is in my mind the most aesthetic way to show the Man in the city: alone in a large urban set. But I don’t want to show just any kind of loneliness, or only the positive part of loneliness. You know, in most of my images, the characters look strong, knowing their way, they seem to be proud of their city… they look like kings of the street.

Tirana

Do you think man begins to feel at home in the big city?

Yes I do… or at least they want and expect to feel good in the city, because in our world, there are only a few chances to “live” in the country. So the city has to be beautiful and pleasant, and I think the improvement of Urbanism should be mindful of all mayors in all cities. They should think, more and more, about the pleasure of walking for pedestrians. And you know, if they feel good in the city, they are not in a hurry to go home after work. On the other hand, it is also a good way for the cities to increase commerce. So, let’s make our cities more and more beautiful… and everybody will be a winner.

Vienne

How long does it take to find your perfect shot?

You know, first I have to find the right place, then to know the best light which will fit with my image, at last I have to wait for the right silhouette to enter my frame. So it can take 30 seconds if all these three components are all together at the place I am at myself that moment. But usually I have to come back to the place at another hour, for another light… then I have to wait, sometimes for an hour, to have the chance to capture the right silhouette, alone and at the right place in the picture. I used to stay about one week in a capital for this project, and it happens that I’d come back every day at the same place and hour… only to capture my character. You know, I am kind of a movie maker… but without any model or actors. I have this funny feeling that people I shoot just don’t know they are playing a role, so without that knowledge, are directed into their natural set.

Bruxelles

Has Homo Urbanus Europeanus finally broken his connection with nature? With the world outside the city?

Homo Urbanus IS an urban human being [I call him the « urban being »], so of course he has no connection with nature when he is in the city. But nothing is “broken”… we are all able to live and enjoy the country side. By the way, I would love to work once on “Homo Ruralus Europeanus”. Just missing budget for it.

Rome

Do you have a favorite photo from the exhibition?

Not only one, but those which are magic in a way : I especially think about three images, shot in Prague, Istanbul and Vilnius [see below]. Because they are “perfect”. I mean the character [two characters on the Vilnius pic] came exactly where I would put them myself if I were able to direct them, and with the right step and movement.

Prague

Istanbul

Vilnius

Do you yourself like to be alone among the urban landscape?

Well, I have to say I love observing people, especially out of my home town, and mostly abroad… so when I am not “hunting” a lonely urban being, I love to be in the crowd.

Berlin

In your photos city buildings generally have as much character as the crossing silhouette . Even more perhaps. What kind of character is it?

He lives and walks there, but usually he never observes his own city. My pictures just say: look how the city, this place you are walking in right now, is beautiful, at least interesting and aesthetic. Art and Photography must show the beauty of life… this is what I am trying to do, especially regarding the city.

Helsinki

Do you have any new project in mind? What would it be?

No, there won’t be a new project before “ending” this huge one. I am right now photographing HUE in Athens. Then will do it in London, Luxembourg, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, maybe Nicosia and Valetta. The project should count at least 30 European capitals by the end of 2010. Of course, if I want to “end” the project, I should also photograph Bern, Moscow, Kiev, Minsk, Tbilisi, Yerevan and so on… but I will not be able to do it, mainly because of a lack of budget or any financial aid. Anyway, after 2010, my project will be to find a European publisher for making a beautiful photo-book with my Homo Urbanus Europeanus project. So here it is: a call for a publisher!