DC Shot List's Hot Shot Spotlight on Claire Bouleau

Article and photos by Betsy Spruill Clarke.

If you still haven't been to Claire Bouleau's Photo Graffiti exhibit at Zone Zero Gallery...why?  What are you doing?  Considering that it ends on April 30th, you should probably get crackin'.  That is, if you want to see some really beautiful works of color and moment infusions.

At first, I thought--considering the photo used to market the show--that these were going to be compilations of urban artwork images.  Of course, I was wrong.

While the exhibit is appropriately called "Photo Graffiti," it isn't about spray-paint street murals.  Graffiti, at least by my definition, is artwork--most commonly with a paint-source medium--that permanently changes the appearance of a landscape--often an urban structure.  In this particular case, Claire Bouleau combines camera, light, color, frame, and timing to permanently change the way the viewer would typically see the landscape or setting that she has captured.

The following is the DC Shot List interview with Claire Bouleau...

DCSL:  What was your inspiration behind Photo Graffiti?  How did the concept come into focus for you?
CB:  Some do photography in-studio, or settings that are well prepared and defined.. I  consider myself more of a spontaneous, visual poet, combining reality with imagination. I love to explore the unexpected in the mundane, find beauty where one would not expect it. My camera is my eye, is my mood in the moment. It is both intimate and fragile. Just like with actual Graffiti, I use my camera in open public space, and my response to particular places forms color compositions--photo paintings of emotions--distinguishing my personal world.

DCSL: How would you describe your niche?
CB: Are you talking about my photo work?  If so.. I would not necessarily describe it as a niche. It's more a way of seeing the world in a painterly way. Mood Impressions. I enjoy the ability of playing with some emotional landscape, being surprised, capturing the rumors of colors, situations, shapes, sometimes in a semi-abstract way. I rather prefer to suggest, leave room for imagination and guessing.

DCSL: How did you get involved with Zone Zero?
CB:  Zone Zero was created by two French photographers, Pascaline Steiner, and Jean-Louis Atlan.  More than a gallery, it is a place with a real sense of home for photography.  I like the they treat photography. Its' beautiful, sober, and homey which is a very complex combination. In that way, Zone Zero is a very unique place. I knew Jean-Louis before. He has been following my work for some time , and encouraging me. He belongs to this rare breed of photographers who like [other photographers'] work. Not only that, but he has a keen, inquisitive and generous eye. In a way, I could tell that Jean-Louis Atlan is my mentor. He has been incredibly supportive with a wonderful patience and attention to details.

Claire and owners/creators of Zone Zero gallery, Jean-Louis Atlan and Pascaline Steiner

DCSL: What drew you to DC and how long have you lived here?
CB: I moved from Paris to DC in 1993. Initially to be for just a year, I was willing to experiment life in another settings, with a new language, as a freelancer. I then became a radio and TV producer for the French media. Obviously, I decided to stay here. I enjoy DC more and more everyday, although, I love Paris--my  home city--whose beauty can move me to tears (especially at night).

DCSL: Do you do photography strictly on an art level or are there other areas where you apply it?
CB: I also do photos of artists' sculptures. For instance, I recently worked on Dalya Luttwak's show at the Katzen Center in Washington: Hidden Roots. She does stunning large scale roots. We really had a wonderful collaboration on this project. And the catalogue is great!

DCSL: Claire, your blog says you are also a journalist....do you freelance or work for a specific company?
CB: I am a freelancer. I used to work for the French National Public Radio, France Inter, using words instead of images. Then I switched on to documentaries for French TV productions.

DCSL: Can you give us a shot of future art project plans?
CB: My next photo project is about DC and it's hidden beauty.

DCSL: 

Looking forward to it, Claire!  Thanks for the chat.