DSM.LAB/by A u r é l i e n DESMETTRE
DESMETTRE laboratoire / la.bɔ.ʁa.twaʁ /masculin
FILTERS/ All • STILL LIFE • ARCHITECTURE • LANDSCAPE • STREET • REPORTAGE • SURREAL
Shot w/ Toyo 45GX Fujinon 150mm & nikkor 90 mm
Stock Portra 400
City Sammamish
State Washington
Country USA
Architect Frank Lloyd Wright
Achieved 1953
The Brandes House is one of the last residential homes designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright before his death in 1959. Completed in 1953, this house is a remarkable example of Usonian architecture and his organic approach to landscaping, characterized by a strong connection between the dwelling and its surroundings. The house was designed for a couple, Ray Brandes, a local businessman, and his wife Mimi. It is distinguished by its approach to the site and its integration into the surrounding landscape. Situated on a wooded lot, the Ray Brandes House is a model of adaptation to the natural site, with stone walls and large windows that allow natural light to penetrate while offering views of the surrounding forest and the nearby lake.
The surrounding environment is a combination of the natural wonders of the Northwest, the vision of Frank Lloyd Wright, and the invisible hand of the original owner, Mimi Brandes, an expert gardener perfectly aligned with Wrightian natural landscape design. Mimi's early landscape notes have been preserved in the Taliesin archives. Beyond this initial shared vision, the grounds themselves tell the story of Mimi and the continued expansion of the grounds.
Another striking aspect of the Ray Brandes House is its L-shaped design, which allows for a fluid flow between the various parts of the house while maximizing views and access to the exterior landscape. Wright used natural materials, primarily wood, brick, and stone, to reinforce this harmony with nature. The house's plan follows a spacious and open layout, with flexible spaces that adapt to the needs of the inhabitants. The rooms are arranged around common areas that encourage conviviality and interaction. Signature elements of Wright's work, such as glass walls, are also present in this home, allowing for an intimate connection with the outdoors while protecting the occupants' privacy. The clean geometric lines and low-pitched roofs create a sense of integration and unity with the land, which is one of his fundamental principles. The furniture and interior design elements were custom-designed by Wright, with the aim of ensuring aesthetic and functional consistency throughout the house.
I invite you to learn more about the Brandes couple and the avant-garde design of this home.
Category
ARCHITECTURE
Shot w/ Toyo 45GX Fujinon 150mm & nikkor 90 mm
Stock Portra 400
City Poissy
Country France
Architect Le Corbusier
Achieved 1931
The Villa Savoye, located in Poissy, west of Paris, is one of the most iconic creations of modern architecture. Designed by Le Corbusier, it was built between 1928 and 1931 and perfectly embodies the principles of the Modern Movement: pilotis (columns), a roof terrace, an open plan, strip windows, and a free-standing façade.
This house, conceived as a "living machine," is distinguished by its simplicity and efficiency. Le Corbusier aimed to break away from traditional architectural styles by creating a functional and refined space. The Villa Savoye presents itself as a simple and pure volume, raised on pilotis, allowing the circulation of air and light beneath the building while freeing up ground space. The roof terrace, intended for various uses such as a garden, is another fundamental element of this work.
Category
ARCHITECTURE
Shot w/ 8x10 Linhof Kardan B + Symmar 360mm f5.6
Stock Fomapan 100
City Paris
Country France
In a world where we chase money, the U.S. dollar symbolizes dreams and desires, a beacon of hope for many and a teacher for most. It stands as a glittering icon of wealth and power, yet it casts a shadow where hunger and want reside.
The relentless pursuit of the dollar shapes destinies and dictates lives, often leaving behind a trail of yearning hearts and empty hands. Capitalism, with its promise of opportunity and freedom, elevates the dollar to a sacred pedestal, spurring innovation and ambition. But in its fervor, it also breeds glaring inequality and insatiable greed.
The invisible hand of the market can both build and destroy, nourishing some while abandoning others. The pursuit of profit creates a world where the gap between affluence and destitution widens, and the voices of the marginalized are lost in the noise of commerce. Martin Luther King Jr.'s words still resonate: "We live in a world of guided missiles and misguided men." This profound truth reminds us that our collective destiny depends not on the relentless accumulation of wealth, but on our ability to bridge divides, foster equity, and cultivate the humanity that binds us all together.
In this global theater, money is not only a measure of success but also a catalyst for conflict. Wars are fought where money is key—fought for resources, fueled by ambitions for control, and sustained by profits from weapons and industry. The spoils of war often enrich the few while leaving a trail of destruction and despair for the many.
The pernicious influence of money in war reveals the darkest side of human endeavor, where the pursuit of wealth eclipses the very value of life.
Category
STILL LIFE
Shot w/ Olympus MJU II
Film Stock Kodak Portra 400
City Magaluf
Country Spain
This series of seven film photographs serves as a visual meditation on the disparities of childhood around the world. It explores the contrasts between innocence and the harsh realities of life for children from different communities facing challenges such as war and deprivation. It emphasizes the fundamental right for all children to experience a carefree and happy childhood, regardless of their origin or environment.
The lens captures the symphony of childhood, where shadows and light, laughter and serious expressions intertwine. These images reveal the timeless dance between the sweetness of childhood and the trials imposed by the cruelty of the world.
It is an invitation to contemplate the subtle nuances of childhood life, to feel the magic of fleeting moments, and to recognize the urgency of preserving the innocence of each child, like a fragile treasure in a tormented world.
Category
SURREAL
Shot w/ 8x10 Linhof Kardan B + Symmar 360mm f5.6
Stock Fomapan 100
City Paris
Country France
A montage of 18 analog color prints. Each photograph is superimposed on another, creating a new image and a new moment.
On Monday, July 7, 1980, Led Zeppelin performed what would be their final concert in Berlin. That evening, a special atmosphere filled the Eissporthalle. My father, who was serving in the military in Berlin at the time, was fortunate enough to attend, and it has become a story he often tells over the years.
Eric, a friend of my father, brought his camera that night. Armed with color film, he captured unique moments from this historic concert. These now precious and rare photos, including some recently rediscovered color reproductions, inspired me to create a reinterpreted 8x10 black and white photograph of this concert.
This image tells part of the story, not only of Led Zeppelin but also of my father and his friend. My father often recounts that at the end of the concert, Bonham threw his drumsticks into the crowd. My father came so close to catching one. It was a sacred relic to him, as he was also a drummer. Unfortunately, he didn't manage to grab it, but the moment remains etched in his memory. It is a bridge between the past and the present and a testament to my father's and Eric's friendship and their shared love of music.
Category
STILL LIFE
Shot w/ Rollei flex K4A f3.5
Stock Ektar 100
City Paris
Country France
In the center, a broken plate with frozen shards seems suspended in eternity.
It is now nothing more than a memory, a functionless medium, a metaphor for what is made and unmade, for what fragments as the end approaches.
Against this background of broken ceramic, a pomegranate lies, its heart shattered. This fruit, symbolizing both resurrection and immortality, is here caught in a process of decomposition. The pomegranate, through its historical symbolism, was often placed in the tombs of the deceased, a companion on the journey to a new life. But in this scene, it heralds another cycle, that of imminent death, but also, paradoxically, that of regeneration.
Around it, apricots, fruits with a sweet and mild aroma, hide a pit which, beneath its apparent innocence, contains an almond rich in amygdalin. This compound, once ingested, transforms into cyanide, a deadly poison. The apricot, despite its beauty and simplicity, thus becomes an ambivalent symbol: that of life hiding within itself the possibility of its end.
Flying around this feast are butterflies, one of which, an Acherontia atropos – a death's-head hawkmoth – which lands on the fruit, its macabre silhouette recalling the inexorable passage from life to death. This butterfly, often associated with the mysteries of the afterlife, bears a skull on its back, a symbol of transformation and metamorphosis in the cycle of life.
The scent emanating from this scene, though invisible, permeates every element, like a portent heavy with meaning. The scent of sweet fruit, old linens, and flowers blends with that of a past that is being remembered, leaving in its wake a scent of melancholy. This still life not only celebrates the end of life, but also reminds us that every moment is a step closer to that inevitable end. Death is there, present, but it is also enveloped in symbols of transformation, of endless cycles, which, even in their darkness, remind us of the beauty of our existence.
Category
STILL LIFE
Shot w/ Rolleiflex K4A
Film stock Kodak Ektar 100
City Paris
Country France
Flowers, usually frozen in their tranquil beauty, seem to come alive under the lens of the Rolleiflex. The imperceptible movement of their petals and stems becomes a delicate dance, a symphony of shapes and colors captured in all their splendor.
Each shot captures a fleeting moment, a reality hidden behind the veil of apparent stillness and reveals the invisible to the naked eye through lively floral compositions and singular light. The light, playing through the petals and leaves, creates fascinating plays of light and shadow, revealing unsuspected details and subtle nuances.
Each ray of light becomes an invisible brush, painting ephemeral pictures on the surface of the flowers, freezing the moment in timeless beauty. Through these photographs, the invisible becomes tangible, palpable, captured in each image like a preciously kept secret.
It is a poignant reminder of the richness and complexity of the world around us, an awakening of the senses to the beauty hidden in the most unexpected corners of nature.
Category
STILL LIFE
Shot w/ Nikon Z9
Artistic Direction Aurélien Desmettre & Calypso Sam
Models Kai & Jezel
Photographie Aurélien Desmettre
Set Design
Lightning
Retouching
Video Director Cassidy Velmech
Photo/Video Assistant Lucas Grousset
Jewelry Unfortunately Unforgettable Paris
MUA Direction Calypso Sam
MUA Calypso Sam & Anna Koral
Hair Stylist Kevyn Charo
Nail Artist Emmalou hody
Category
SURREAL
Shot w/ Nikon Z9
City Montigny-Le-Bretonneux
Country France
The Arcades du Lac, designed by the eminent architect Ricardo Bofill, emerges as a true ode to contemporary elegance. Their remarkable design skillfully blends resolutely modern lines with a timeless aesthetic, thus offering a perfect balance between innovation and tradition.
Each of these arcades, endowed with refined geometric forms, seems sculpted to gracefully frame the surrounding landscape, creating a true symbiosis between architecture and nature. The subtle arrangement of materials and proportions gives this space a singular atmosphere, where every detail is carefully considered to offer an immersive and captivating visual experience.
The natural light that passes through the arcades seems to play with the lines and shapes, creating plays of light and shadow that evolve throughout the day, thus offering a changing and dynamic visual spectacle. This subtle interaction between architecture and light gives an extra dimension to this space, transforming it into a true living work of art.
Beyond their remarkable aesthetic, the Arcades du Lac also reflect a profound reflection on the relationship between man and his environment. By creating a harmonious dialogue between architecture and nature, Ricardo Bofill invites visitors to reconnect with their surroundings and appreciate the beauty and simplicity of the forms that surround them.
Whether strolling beneath the arcades, contemplating their silhouette from the outside, or lingering to appreciate the view, every moment spent at the Arcades du Lac is an invitation to contemplation and discovery. This exceptional architectural space reminds us of the ability of architecture to awaken our senses, stimulate our imagination, and transport us to a universe where beauty and harmony reign supreme.
Category
ARCHITECTURE
Shot w/ Toyo 45GX , Leica M6 ttl
Stock Portra 400
State Washington
Country USA
Washington State’s landscapes unfold in all their diversity, from the majesty of snow-capped mountains to deep forests and the vastness of the Pacific Ocean. Far from flat horizons, this state offers a striking contrast between wilderness and urban development, where cities blend seamlessly into the surrounding landscapes. In Seattle, modern skyscrapers rise proudly against the ocean, while the Cascade Mountains loom in the background, evoking the immensity and grandeur of nature.
The bustling pace of the city contrasts with the tranquility of its surroundings, where verdant forests and peaceful lakes invite contemplation and introspection.
This series serves as an invitation to explore the many facets of Washington State, where the raw beauty of natural landscapes coexists with the creative energy of city dwellers. Through the streets of Seattle, the forests of the National Parks, and the beaches of the Olympic Peninsula, each image captures the unique essence of this Northwest state, where humans and nature exist in a fragile balance. Yet, amidst this diversity, moments of serenity emerge in the morning mist or the soft light of dusk, offering solace and calm.
This visual exploration evokes a peaceful culture marked by a deep connection to nature and the importance of community. These images, sometimes frozen in time, remind us that even in a constantly changing world, the simplicity and beauty of the natural environment continue to nourish the soul.
Category
STREET, REPORTAGE, LANDSCAPE