Brodbeck & de Barbuat
About Brodbeck & de Barbuat
Brodbeck & de Barbuat is a Franco-German artist duo consisting of Lucie de Barbuat and Simon Brodbeck, based in Paris. Since 2005, they have collaborated on projects such as Une Histoire parrallèle and Images of Light and Dancing Spirit that explore the history of photography and its relationship to reality in contemporary imagery. Their work delves into themes of human existence, the mystery of the Soul, and the gap between reality and human desires. Brodbeck & de Barbuat’s art reflects the silent melancholy of humanity, capturing this tension through photography and other artistic mediums. Through their work, they offer profound insights into the invisible fractures between the tangible world and our inner aspirations.
Photographic approach of Brodbeck & de Barbuat
The photographic approach of Brodbeck & de Barbuat is unique and thought-provoking. Their practice often blurs the lines between fiction and reality, with many of their projects structured as series divided into chapters. These series explore symbolic narratives, inviting viewers to reconsider their perception of time and space. The duo's works are deeply focused on themes like the afterlife and our relationship to the world, often portraying an internal universe that merges personal reflection with universal questions. They challenge the language of photography itself, questioning its limits and its history. Additionally, Brodbeck & de Barbuat explore connections between photography, painting, and cinema. They draw inspiration from various artistic movements, including German Expressionist cinema, Land Art, and Romantic painting. Their work is also influenced by legendary photographers such as Edward Curtis and August Sander, as well as by conceptual artists like Michael Heizer and James Turrell, and filmmakers like Fritz Lang, Wim Wenders, and Werner Herzog.
Brodbeck & de Barbuat’s Residencies, awards and grants
Graduates of the École Nationale Supérieure de la Photographie in Arles, Lucie de Barbuat and Simon Brodbeck were also residents at the Villa Medici in Rome from 2016 to 2017. Over the years, their work has garnered several prestigious awards, including the HSBC Photography Prize in 2010 and the Nestlé Prize at the Festival Images Vevey in the same year. Additionally, they won the national photographic commission "Image 3.0" in 2020, awarded by CNAP and Jeu de Paume.
Exhibitions and Publications
Their work has been the subject of solo exhibitions at the Fotomuseum in Antwerp, the Maison Européenne de la Photographie, the Villa Médicis in Rome and the Institut français du Japon, and group exhibitions including the Rencontres de la Photographie in Arles, the Arsenale in Venice, the Cairo Biennale, the Saatchi gallery in London, the Museum of Photography in Thessaloniki and the Mucem in Marseille, among others. Their work « Une Histoires parallèle » was part of the group show Aimagine- Photography and generative images at Hangar Art Center in Brussels. Furthermore, their projects have been featured in major publications, including Rester esprit! (2018), with an essay by Julia Beauquel, and La fabrique des rêves (2015), with a text by Stéphane Lissner. Their earlier book, Vertiges du quotidien (2010), includes essays by Klaus Honnef and Bernard Marcelis.
