AquaViva

The physical realm of our existence, of the world around us, can be turned to artistic purposes in an endless variety of ways. The AquaViva series achieve a rendering of emotion in its purest form. Though seemingly monomorphic, these images carry inside them the range of human emotion. Comprising a series of outwardly similar yet wildly varying shots of water in motion, AquaViva is all the more remarkable when we consider that nature presents to us this vibrant energy daily wherever the ocean meets the shore. We are incapable of capturing these fleeting masterpieces with our own eyes, however, for the movement is too swift, and the tumultuous action of the waves too distracting in its kinetic form. In the infinite iterations and sublimely unpredictable qualities of water, I capture and offer to us an appreciation of the fundamental and essential role it plays on the planet and in our existence. For me the action of waves reveals a unique visual phenomenon conveying a sense of the paradox of power and fragility that exists therein. The goal of my work is to transfer the wave's energy to those who view them. The images often evoque a range of emotions depending on the state of mind and perspective of the viewer, from the exhilaration familiar to surfers to the meditative calm we feel in moments of peaceful introspection. I observe that the photographic images of AquaViva may sometimes be perceived as objects rather than two-dimensional representations. The play of light off the multitude of facets and curves on the water's surface gives the image a sculptural quality that enhances the sense of stillness and power. This sculptural effect of dynamism in static suspension is at once conscious and haphazard.

Born in 1972 near Paris, Pierre Carreau grew up surrounded by artistic influences in a family that included a photographer, sculptors and painters. Perhaps in reaction to this subtle pressure, he chose initially to pursue a different path and graduated from university with a degree in business. Yet the soul of the artist would not be repressed, and after a number of years working in the IT industry, Carreau returned to his roots and became a professional photographer. A long-held love of the ocean and water-sports led him to work photographing action shots for surf and kitesurf magazines, but the water itself eventually captured his artistic imagination and became the genesis of AquaViva. In 2004 Pierre moved with his wife and children to the Caribbean island of St. Barthélemy. This small paradise has become Carreau's open air studio, where the subtle variations of light from the tropical and the endlessly changing soul of the sea become the subjects of his vision. Pierre Carreau's fine art photography is represented by CLIC Gallery in New York City and St. Barthélemy.