Interview with Gwenola Barbot, photographer, by Éric Mézan
The centenary of the birth of Claude Lanzmann will begin on November 27. Numerous events will be scheduled in France and around the world for a year from this date. Dominique Lanzmann, president of the Claude and Felix Lanzmann Association — ACFL, proposed to the photographer Gwenola Barbot to design the official Centenary image used in the various communication media of the event; a limited edition photography edition is also planned. This interview with the artist takes you behind the scenes of this exceptional commission.
What were your sources of inspiration for composing this photograph? Above all”Shoah”, Of course, that I had seen too partially, then, after the Centenary Project, new readings, the testimonies of people who knew Claude Lanzmann and in the first place that of his wife who opened the door of his apartment on Rue Boulard for me.
Could you describe to us what you wanted to convey through your Centenary photography? An image of the complex and abundant life of a man who produced an imperishable work, with global repercussions, and denounced the abomination of antisemitism of the Nazi regime.
What do you think are the strongest or most striking objects in your composition? Felix's photos, the ID card with the “Jewish” stamp. Also the Honorary Golden Bear, which was awarded to him in 2013 by the Berlinale Jury for all of his work. He was legitimately very proud of it.”I Love Bears, All Bears, and a Golden Bear is even better.” I joked.
What are the most unusual for you? Undoubtedly among the most intimate, his bicycle wheel and especially his red scarf, which is still a bit crumpled...
What difficulties did you encounter during the production of this photograph? The major difficulty was to bring together these heterogeneous elements so that they represented the same exceptional personality.
What works by Claude Lanzmann did you want to refer to in your composition? “Shoah“Of course, very present in different forms in the image: rushes and books. “The Patagonian Hare“Plays a central role in it because this book restores all the complexity and richness of such a personality. Movies are also mentioned “Why Israel“with the DVD, “IDF“with the Israeli tank and the poster “The Last of the Unjust” we have a mini kiosk.
How Did You Go About Lighting This Still Life? What are your manufacturing secrets? I illuminated this composition as I do for my “classical” still lives, namely with natural light, which, because authentic, is for me the most beautiful lighting.
And if you had to do it all over again, how would you proceed? I would like to stay for a week in this wonderful apartment to review the life that was that of a great witness and watchman of our time!
