DSM.LAB/by A u r é l i e n DESMETTRE
DESMETTRE laboratoire / la.bɔ.ʁa.twaʁ /masculin
FILTERS/ All • ARCHITECTURE • REPORTAGE • STILL LIFE • STUDIO
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/ Linhof Kardan B
Format 8x10”
Lens Schneider Symmar 360mm f5.6
Stock Fomapan 100
Category
STUDIO
22 - 11 - 2023 L’Odeur De La Mort
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,STUDIO
Shot w/ Leica M6 ttl , Olympus MJU II
Film Stock Kodak Portra 400, Cinestill 800T
City Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Saint-Augustine, Key West
State Florida
Country USA
Florida's landscapes are revealed in all their splendor, yet also in their austerity, evoking solitude in the face of the immensity of the ocean and marshes.
Crowded streets and congested highways bear witness to the frenzy of urban life, where time seems to pass at a frenetic pace, leaving little room for contemplation. This series becomes a window onto a world of iconic architecture and evocative life moments.
Through the bustling streets of Miami, the glittering skyscrapers of Tampa, and the parks of Orlando, each image captures a unique facet of this sun-drenched state, where the raw beauty of the landscapes contrasts with the coldness and speed of American life. Yet, amidst this hustle and bustle, moments of tenderness and human connection emerge in often impersonal urban settings. These fleeting moments remind us that even in the midst of modernity and solitude, the essence of humanity persists—comforting and timeless.
Through each shot, echoes of American clichés resonate, silent witnesses to a vibrant and complex culture. It's an invitation to delve into the soul of Florida, to explore its contradictions and richness, and to better understand the web woven by its people and landscapes.
Category
REPORTAGE
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,STUDIO
Shot w/ Toyo 45GX , Leica M6 ttl
Stock Portra 400
Format 35mm 6x12 6X20
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
REPORTAGE
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,STUDIO
Shot w/ Leica M6 ttl
Film Stock Cinestill 800T
City Paris , Porte de Vanves , Porte de Clignancourt
Country France
The flea markets of Paris and its suburbs are places where time seems to stand still, havens for lovers of unusual discoveries and passionate collectors. Their history dates back to the 19th century, when the capital, in the midst of its Haussmannian transformation, expelled ragpickers and second-hand dealers from the crowded streets of the city center. These scavengers of treasures unearthed from the city's rubble and discards settled at the outskirts of Paris, gradually forming clusters that would become the famous flea markets.
The most famous of these, the Saint-Ouen flea market, opened in 1885. Located in the north of Paris, just beyond Porte de Clignancourt, it quickly became a must-see, initially attracting suburbanites, then a Parisian, and finally an international clientele. Saint-Ouen is made up of several distinct markets, each with its own personality. The Vernaison market, for example, embodies the soul of the traditional second-hand goods market, crammed with antique furniture, porcelain trinkets, paintings, and textiles from another era. The Paul Bert Serpette market, meanwhile, stands out as a temple of design, where lovers of Art Deco and vintage furniture flock to find unique pieces.
These markets embody the spirit of Paris, a blend of bohemianism and old-fashioned elegance. Strolling through the narrow aisles, lined with shops with dusty storefronts, is like stepping back in time. Here, you discover fragments of past lives: forgotten lace dresses, antique watches frozen in time. These are objects that have survived decades, sometimes centuries, silent witnesses to the changes in society and bygone eras.
The Vanves market, located south of Paris, offers another side of the flea market. Smaller than Saint-Ouen, it has retained a more intimate atmosphere. People rummage around here from dawn, searching for unlikely finds: an old vinyl record, a camera from another century, a framed engraving depicting a scene from the Belle Époque. It's a place where bargaining is essential, where people take the time to discuss, negotiate, and share a story around an object.
In these markets, each stall is a gateway to forgotten stories. The merchants themselves are often storytellers, colorful characters who know every detail about the origins of their treasures. They are the guardians of a tangible memory, a popular heritage that doesn't always find its place in museums but nevertheless tells the story of an essential part of Parisian life.
These are places where people are never rushed, where they take the time to rummage, to discuss, to dream. The murmur of conversations, objects patinated by time, the smell of old leather and waxed wood mingle with the unique atmosphere of these markets. Here, each day is a celebration of memory, a discreet tribute to the passing of time and what it leaves behind: traces, objects, fragmented stories, but above all, a surge toward the beauty of the past in a world that is constantly changing.
Category
REPORTAGE
29 - 04 - 2025 Le Ministère de l’Économie & Le Pont de Bercy
Shot w/
camera Toyo 45GX
Lenses Nikkor 90 mm
Stock Portra 400
City Paris
Country France
Architect Paul Chametoff
Category
ARCHITECTURE
Shot w/
camera Toyo 45GX
Lenses Nikkor 90 mm
Stock Portra 400
City Paris
Country France
Architect Dominique Perrault
Achieved 1995
Category
ARCHITECTURE