stéphane couturier: melting point

'melting point' by stéphane couturier
(above) 'usine toyota n°08'
c-print
160 x 200 cm
image © stéphane couturier


shortlisted for the 2011 prix pictet is 'melting pot', a photographic series by french photographer
stéphane couturier. well-versed in documenting the ways in which modern cultures simultaneously
construct and destroy, the selection of images consist of large-scale multiply-exposed colour negatives
taken in a high-tech toyota factory north of paris, france.

using a large format camera, couturier delineates both disorder and harmony from the highly
abstract photographs, capturing layers of machines, car parts, workers and equipment in a visually
complex manner. at once wildly energetic and industrial in feel, the images utilizes a hyperbolic palette
that further injects a unique vitality to the turbulent series.



'usine toyota n°05'
c-print
160 x 200 cm
image © stéphane couturier



'usine toyota n°14'
c-print
160 x 200 cm
image © stéphane couturier



'usine toyota n°02'
c-print
160 x 200 cm
image © stéphane couturier



'usine toyota n°20'
c-print
160 x 200 cm
image © stéphane couturier



'usine toyota n°07'
c-print
160 x 200 cm
image © stéphane couturier



'usine toyota n°09'
c-print
160 x 200 cm
image © stéphane couturier



'usine toyota n°15'
c-print
160 x 200 cm
image © stéphane couturier