Gilbert Garcin

Born in 1929 in La Ciotat, the birthplace of cinema, Gilbert Garcin's early years were steeped in the ambiance of the Eden Theatre, renowned as the world's oldest cinema. Perhaps it was here that he developed an affinity for scenes reminiscent of Buster Keaton? Garcin's signature style involves staging a miniature doppelgänger of himself, meticulously cut out and re-photographed on a table's edge. These monochromatic images are laden with poetic musings, humanistic reflections, and a touch of fatalism.

These "thoughts" are the culmination of a lifetime's experiences. Garcin only embarked on his photographic journey after retiring from a lighting company. He swiftly joined the Allauch photography club and, in 1992, attended a workshop with Pascal Dolémieux at the Rencontres d'Arles, a pivotal moment for him.

Perhaps the secret to his meteoric rise lies in a sentiment echoed by Auguste Renoir: that a drawing might take only five minutes, but it's the result of sixty years of contemplation. Garcin, it seems, honed his perspective over a lifetime, only to crystallize it into images later in life.

Yet, this late start didn't hinder him from showcasing his work in prestigious global institutions. When he passed away in Marseille in 2020, he left behind a staggering body of work.

Selected Bibliography:

• PhotoPoche Gilbert Garcin, Actes Sud, 2016

• Lorsque le Vent Viendra, Filigranes, 2013

• Faire de Son Mieux, Filigranes, 2013

• Mister G.: 18 Years of Photography, Filigranes, 2011

• Mister G., Filigranes, 2009

• Tout Peut Arriver, Filigranes, 2007

• Le Témoin, Filigranes, 2005

• Simulacres, Filigranes, 2002

• La Vie est un Théâtre, Filigranes, 1999.