Renouveau sous l'orage : L'Oculus à l'heure dorée I, 2023

Gauthier Bouret  

Fine Art print on baryta paper, mounted on dibond.

These two images captured just after a thunderstorm offer a unique perspective of the Oculus, a modernist edifice that stands out majestically against an unusual, mystical backdrop. The atmosphere is charged with ephemeral beauty, with the sky and clouds taking on an orange hue that lends a haunting aura to the whole scene.

The juxtaposition of the contemporary architecture of the Oculus, which remains resolutely white with a hint of blue, and the orange sky creates a striking contrast. It's as if the building, while retaining its elegance, were in the midst of a moment of transformation, where nature and the city interact in astonishing ways. The tumultuous skies that barely emerge testify to the metamorphosis of the atmosphere, reflecting a nascent hope.

These photos invite the viewer to meditate on the beauty of the ephemeral, to capture the fleeting moment between storm and tranquility. They evoke a sense of calm after the storm, a visual metaphor for human resilience and nature's capacity for self-renewal. The orange light that bathes the Oculus and the city reminds us that even after the darkest moments, the light of hope still shines.