Hubert Crabières Discusses Photography as Private Performance and Unstable Equilibrium

Hubert Crabières, a French photographer, characterizes his work as a performance devoid of an audience, focusing on instances of physical instability. His modestly constructed sets frequently collapse during or post-shoot, illustrating a balance between conceptualization and practicality. Operating within fashion, publishing, and cultural sectors, Crabières employs a wide-angle film lens that exposes technical details like cables and hands. He intentionally reveals artifice, drawing inspiration from the early 'cinema of attractions.' Rejecting moodboards, he strives for liberation from imagery. Although commercial pressures necessitate image regulation, he adopts tactics for autonomy, such as capturing sets prior to model arrivals. His recent work, 'On dirait le Sud,' indicates a transition towards more immersive, installative experiences. Following his departure from a 12-year studio in February, he plans to explore his research's scenic elements in new ways.