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