The vernissage of the exhibition, organized on Tuesday, May 12 at the Jean-Ferrat Cultural Center, highlighted the behind-the-scenes work of this artist-photographer. Many of his shots were captured in Avignon, the city where Damien Fontaine found his inspiration.
“Saisir l’instant pour le rendre intemporel” (Capture the moment to make it timeless). Damien Fontaine cultivates his image as a photographer of the present, without filters. “En Vrai” (In Real) is the name given to his exhibition. Over 500 shots were unveiled to the public on Tuesday, May 12, in Sauveterre, during the vernissage. A privileged moment for this photographer, originally from Pujaut. This exhibition is the result of reflection, a vision of society.
His encounter with Élodie Vernes, in charge of administration and communication at the Jean-Ferrat Cultural Center, led him to reveal his meaningful photographs. The starting point? “It came naturally with the birth of my daughter. I started documenting her life. She is 12 years old now. (The photo), it’s something we share together,” he explains.
The exhibition “En Vrai” can be seen at the Jean-Ferrat Cultural Center in Sauveterre.
“Montrer que la beauté était visible de partout” (Show that beauty was visible everywhere)
His “kindly” gaze towards people allowed him to take photos in the heat of the action. The street is an inspiring universe for the Gard photographer: “It’s to present duality, two realities between two worlds. We have people on the street, in precarious situations, but who are still very beautiful. Actually, (the goal) is really to show that beauty was visible everywhere. “Everywhere, yes, and especially, close to home.
Photographs mostly taken in Avignon.
The aerodrome of Pujaut: a place of inspiration
The shots were taken in Avignon, at the aerodrome of Pujaut, or even in Paris, three lands of inspiration. One that stood out from the rest, after taking photos of a shepherd and his 3,000 sheep. “Once again, it was about highlighting the human with detail, highlighting what surrounds us.”
Before joining the first spectators to discover his art, Damien Fontaine confides in order to immerse us in his world: “What am I trying to do? Freeze moments of life. Sometimes joyful, sometimes sad. But always with respect for the person I am highlighting.”
The aerodrome of Pujaut: where the photographer’s inspiration comes to life.
Black and white to “sublimate”
Nostalgic of another time and sacred moments shared with his grandmother, the 46-year-old photographer wanted to “sublimate” these photos by showing them in black and white. A deliberate and intentional choice, to better “freeze time.” Moving from one set of shots to another, humanists and photography enthusiasts should be captivated. For real.
Practical information: The exhibition “En Vrai” is to be discovered until May 23. Free access on Wednesday, May 13, then from May 20 to May 23. During the opening hours of the Cultural Center. Closed on Ascension Thursday and the following days. Free entry.
[Context: The article covers an exhibition by photographer Damien Fontaine, showcasing his work captured in Avignon and other locations.] [Fact Check: The translated text accurately conveys information about the photographer, the exhibition, and the inspiration behind his work.]
:fill(black)/2026/05/15/6a073664d4587883877185.jpg "At the Cinema Resource Center, the sets of the 7th art are given a second life")
