SOLARGRAPHS: CHATEAU MIRAVAL

(Hardback, Bilingual edition)

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Description

Produced in residence at Chateau Miraval-the famous French domaine owned by Brad Pitt-over the last several years, each image presented in this book has been continually exposed for six months from one solstice to another using hand made pinhole cameras with photographic paper inside to capture the sun's path every day for six months. A challenge that harkens back to the magic of photography's beginnings, when it was not yet known that time was but a form of space.

Author Bio

Born in the United States and residing in the Loire Valley, Robert Charles Mann has been passionate about photography since a young age. Initially a printer before becoming a photographer, he quickly gained recognition for the quality of his work from some of the most renowned fashion and cinema photographers, producing over a million prints during the 1980s and 1990s. In 1989, bolstered by an international reputation in this field, Robert settled in France. Today, he primarily employs the pinhole camera a very simple optical device that allows for the creation of a camera by piercing a tiny hole in a very thin plate along with other traditional printing techniques based on noble metals, as well as modern archival pigments on cotton papers and metals, enabling him to achieve images that align with his unique aesthetic.

In the autumn of 2024, Robert Charles Mann was welcomed as an artist-in-residence at the Chteau de Chambord. Over the course of two months, he crafted and installed solargraphs, boxes that operate on the principle of the pinhole camera but with significantly longer exposure times. Operational since December 21, 2024, his solargraphs will capture the sun's trajectory from one solstice to another on paper over a period of six months. In contrast to the overwhelming abundance of images associated with new technologies, he has chosen the path of extended time and rarity. This economy of means, linked to a long and patient printing process that takes several months per image, gives rise to mysterious photographs imbued with poetry. The outcome of this residency is expected to be showcased in an exhibition in 2026. It is the same technique he used at Miraval, and the photos produced are now brought together in this exceptional artist's book.

At last, Robert Charles Mann is also a film composer. His musical style ranges from ambient electronic music to orchestral soundtracks and background music for television and cinema.

Brad Pitt, born on December 18, 1963, in Shawnee, Oklahoma, is an acclaimed American actor and film producer. He rose to fame in the 1990s with roles in films such as "A River Runs Through It," "Legends of the Fall," and "Fight Club." Beyond his successful acting career, Pitt has a profound appreciation for art and photography. He has been known to collect contemporary art and has collaborated with various artists throughout his life. He often uses photography as a medium to express his artistic vision and to document his experiences. His keen eye for aesthetics is reflected not only in his film projects but also in his personal life, where he enjoys capturing moments through the lens. This artistic inclination adds depth to his multifaceted persona, making him not just a Hollywood icon but also a dedicated patron of the arts. As a friend of the photographer, he welcomes a permanent exhibition of his Solargraphs inside the Miraval Studios.