The photographer is calm. He examines his anemones, bars, shrimps, crabs and all kinds of algae displayed on a large scale. These species reflect his recent interest in marine biodiversity and the world of fishing. “In 2018, I discovered the Ciboure fish market. I have spent more than twenty years of my life in the Middle East, between Syria and Lebanon. And fishing doesn’t even exist there. » He soon became passionate about this universe.
Between science and poetry
He adds a sailor hat to his many hats as a photographer, editor, author, prison warden and calligrapher. “I trained for three months at the maritime high school in La Rochelle. » In 2021 a the photo residency takes him to the Kordu Lighthouse. It was there that he became interested in the marine life of the Gironde estuary. Like a modern-day Captain Nemo, Nicolas Camoisson sets out to explore the bottom of the sea.
He free-dives at the outlet of the spring, where the water is salty, carrying a giant photo box. It descends to a depth of four meters to observe fauna and flora. “I was accompanied by two divers from the IODDE association (Île d’Oléron sustainable development environment) to explore and understand what I saw. Without them, I would have missed many species. » Nicolas Camoisson’s work “is on the border between scientific press and poetry. » Performs species analysis in great detail. “There are 300 different algae and microorganisms in this geographic area, and we’re looking at each species one by one to find out what’s interesting. »
“Testimony to the fragility of the sea”
His exhibition will be on view at the gates of the public garden until the end of August. Passersby will then be able to encounter sea lettuce known to colonize the oceans. Their eyes will also have a chance to focus on algae that has been removed from the water and photographed in the studio. “I created movement in some of them to be closer to the Arabic calligraphy that I teach. » For the photographer who “grew up knowing that water is a rare resource”, the purpose of his works is clear: “To bear witness to this. the fragility of the sea. »