Denis Roussel
Photography
I’ve spent most of my life studying the sciences. Mathematics,
physics and chemistry revealed to me hidden and limitless universes. They
taught me about the mechanisms underlying everyday phenomena; they dazzled
me with mesmerizing formulas. I gained through them a greater awareness of
the complexity and beauty of the world around me.
Photography is another means of discovery and understanding. It allows me
to question my self, and my appreciation of the world, may it be physical
or spiritual. As a photographer I am interested in simple images where the
depicted elements are reduced to their essence of shape and form. I believe
that the appearance of things minutely observed and studied, appear as a physical
manifestation of a deeper meaning, or function.
When exploring this page, please click on the images below if you would like to have access to the respective galleries.
Recent work
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This series is a tribute to overlooked beauty. I have always been interested in the aesthetic of decaying floral life. These photographs reveal the intrinsic visual appeal of withered plants and flowers.Intentionally, I have used very simple compositions where the subject is reduced to its basic geometrical elements.Once the photographs have been taken, the negatives are manipulated according to processes that incorporate an element of chance.Overlaying a texture, created by the different manipulations, on flowers and plants also allows the interesting juxtaposition of the chemical and organic realms. |
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An approach to self portraiture |
The Power of the Elements
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Within a subtle balance between human beings and their environment, Nature has the awesome power of regenerating itself. In the process, it sometimes transforms ordinary objects into works of art. I have been interested in collecting abandoned items and reproducing them in the form of large-scale photographs. Magnifying their characteristics allows me to reveal the textures and patterns that are the witnesses of the interactions between the elements (water, air and sun rays) with the materials. |
The place I live in/
the place that lives in me
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The creation of this series started in December 2001, when
I returned to France for the holidays.After my return to the US, I was overwhelmed
by the awkwardness I felt in Iowa City in comparison to the impression of
belonging I always experience in Nantes. |
Drawing with light
Lightforms |
Jeux de Lumiere |
figures
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I have always been fascinated with hands. They
are so vital to our everyday life that we seldomly are aware of their importance.
But if one stops and reflects on them, one can dwell in the infinity of
symbols associated with hands. Visually, they can also be represented in
a myriad of ways: from sensuality to profound drama. |
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Biography
Born in Nantes, FRANCE
Lives in Louisville, CO, USA
Education:
2000- 2004 / University of Iowa / Iowa City, IA
M.F.A. in photography, December 2004
M.A. in photography, May 2003
1998-1999 / University of Northern Iowa / Cedar Falls, IA
Environmental Sciences and Technology
International exchange program for graduate study in the environmental sciences
1996-1999 / Ecole Nationale Superieure Chimie / Rennes France
Obtained degree (diplome d'ingenieur) in Chemistry, water treatment
Selected exhibitions
September 24th to October 26th 2007/ Dairy Center for the Arts/ Boulder, CO
Exhibition of "The Scientific Esthetic"
October 8 th to November 6th 2006/ Wartburg College/ Waverly, IA
Two person show "Spirit of Inquiry"
September 1st to September 29th 2006/ Alliance Francaise de Denver/ Denver, CO
Exhibition of "The Scientific Esthetic"
October 26th to November 18th 2005 / Indiana State University / Terre Haute, IN
Group Exhibition "Footcandles: History and Process in Contemporary Photography". Display of "Blood Experiment 3"
May 6th to June 12th 2005/ University of Iowa Museum of Arts/ Iowa City
M.F.A. Show. Display of "Blood Experiement 1"
November 24th 2004 to January 30th 2005 / CSPS / Cedar Rapids, IA
Exhibition of the series "Remnants of a Touch", "Blood Experiment 1" and "Blood Experiment 2"
March 3rd to 7th 2003 / Eve Drewelowe Gallery / Iowa City, IA
Exhibition of the series "Lightforms" and "Jeu de Lumiere"
November 2002 / Photoarts / World Wide Web
Permanent exhibition of the series entitled "The place I live in/ the
place that lives in me"
at www.photoarts.com, an online gallery of fine
art photography.
September 1st-October 31st, 2002 / UIHC / Iowa City, IA
Solo exhibition of The place I live in/ the place that lives in me
at the
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, within the Project Art program
September 2002 / UIHC, Ophtalmologic Dpt / Iowa City, IA
Permanent group exhibit in the Ophtalmologic department, Pomerantz Family
Pavillion, UIHC
Collections
Midwest Photographers' Project / Museum of Contemporary Photography / Chicago
"Remnants of a Touch"; "Blood Experiment 1, 2 and 3"
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Contact
Denis Roussel
930 Laurel Street
Broomfield, CO 80027
denis_roussel@hotmail.com
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Links
www.photoarts.com
, online gallery of fine art photography
www.mocp.org, the Midwest Photographers Project, a temporary collection from the Museum of Contemporary Photography in Chicago
www.wildsidestudio.net
, gallery located in Frisco, Colorado and showcasing local artists
www.absolutearts.com
, online portfolio of Nature Morte
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