Model Pictures

Even from a distance,the photograph has a disturbing effect children at a picnic while fire blazes on the ground,licking the low-hanging branches of a tree.

Fifteen years after he quit photography,Bernard Faucon brings his works to India

Even from a distance,the photograph has a disturbing effect children at a picnic while fire blazes on the ground,licking the low-hanging branches of a tree. A closer look throws up another surreal element: the children arent human,those life-like forms are plastic mannequins simulating childish expressions. For 20 years,iconic French photographer Bernard Faucon has held critics across the world in a grip that veers between shock and fascination with his genre of true fiction. Now,for the first time,the 58-year-old brings to Delhi the works that form an important landmark in the history of European photography.

A photograph never lies so what Faucon did in the 1970s was near-impossible he used his camera to create fiction,staging his images in a way similar to theatre directors presenting their plays. Through the mannequins,I have discovered one of the powers of photograph a way of giving life to what doesnt have life. This is the opposite of the deathly fixity of the instant photo of a living being, says Faucon in Delhi,on his first India trip.

As Myriam Kryger,director of Alliance Francaise,organizers of Faucons retrospective,says,His photographs are like reading a storybook rather than the newspaper to know the world. Faucon won the Grand Prix National in 1989,and the Prix Leonard de Vinci in 1991. Other photographers like Pierre et Gilles,Sandy Skoglund,Boyd Web,Joel-Peter Witkin,Jeff Koons and Cindy Sherman tried their hands at the mis en scene,creating a trend for invented images or fabricated images that culminated in the 1980s and ended by mid-1990s when digital photography became a norm.

A fine artist before he picked up the camera,Faucons works have a strong poetic quality thats highlighted by the use of colours. It is more difficult to make art with beauty because the ugly reality is naturally photogenic, he says. Children sometimes real boys and girls mingle with mannequins in his images. The Secret shows two mannequins of boys huddled in the darkness while other pictures reveal children playing in the sky,water and amid fire,their innocence defying the elements.

In 1995,Faucon quit photography because I was convinced that it was over and that this period in the history of photography to which I had subscribed,namely photographic staging or photographic settings had come to an end. The collection at the Delhi exhibition,thus,is an essential slice from the history of photography.

The exhibition will be held at Alliance Francaise from February 3 to February 12. Contact: 43500200

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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Model Pictures

Even from a distance,the photograph has a disturbing effect  children at a picnic while fire blazes on the ground,licking the low-hanging branches of a tree.

Even from a distance,the photograph has a disturbing effect children at a picnic while fire blazes on the ground,licking the low-hanging branches of a tree.