Firstly, talk a little bit about your body of work, L'illusion du Tranquille. How did this project get started?

François Deladerrière (FD): The project started withan invitation to a residency in two art centres ‘Image/Imatge’ in Orthez, and in Saint Gaudens at Saint-Jacques Chapel. These two locations are close to the Pyrenees, set in the middle of the countryside.  To begin with, my idea was to explore freely the territories surrounding the two art centres. My first approach was to consider the landscape of the French countryside as American writers like Rick Bass or Jim Harrison consider theirs. I started to travel a lot by car. I was naturally attracted by abandoned areas, car graveyards, dark and gloomy places, in general by everything that suggests «accident» in the landscape. At the beginning, I had no idea of a series. That appeared later. But step by step, the feelings of anxiety and awkwardness merged and I wanted to pursue the project in that way. I then had the chance of continuing this work in April 2010 on the occasion of another residency. I was invited by La métive (a pluridisciplinary residency) in the Creuse region. There I discovered similar landscapes, typical of what one may call the France profonde! (deepest France.)

© François Deladerrière from the series 'L'illusion du Tranquille'

You photograph scenes that seem to have little in common with each other, nightclubs and trees for example, yet the visual vocabulary you use is consistent throughout the series. How do you describe the relationship between these photographs?

FD: As I was saying, I am always attracted by what makes an ‘accident’ in the landscape. These incredible small ‘discotheques’ are part of the incongruous things I have come across in the middle of nowhere. I started to photograph them from the outside. Then I thought it might be also interesting to get inside. I asked for authorizations to take pictures from the interior. The reason why they look so empty is because I often take my pictures during the day, but emptiness appears to be interesting in this series. From my point of view, these empty discotheques have a lot to do with the desolate landscapes that I have photographed. I  have the impression that I organized this series as if I had composed a musical score. The discotheques appear to be disonant items, cacophonic punctuations.

© François Deladerrière from the series 'L'illusion du Tranquille'

Many of your photographs have a very quiet feel to them. In a few of your images the mundane objects you depict become objects of meditation, and it seems you are telling the story of your own experience in these environments. Is this an accurate reading of your work?

FD: The times during which I photograph are privileged moments, mostly spent alone, during which I drive a lot. Therefore there is an obvious aspect of meditation and contemplation in this series. But it is also part of my character! However, I like what you are saying about the fact that a common object can become a meditation source, as if finally the act of taking a picture can be a way of transcending an object. But there is nothing mystical in my approach. It’s just the landmark of my personal attitude towards reality. There certainly is another reason for that: I let the pictures "rest" without editing, for over a year if possible. Thus, I can eliminate the unnecessary pictures and keep the ones I consider to be essential. The photographs that I keep are certainly the most stable in their construction, the ones that resist a quick glance of comprehension, at least, I hope they do.  This is the reason why they offer a feeling of meditation.

© François Deladerrière from the series 'L'illusion du Tranquille'

What’s coming up in the next year for you, photographically or otherwise?

FD: I will soon be travelling to Gdansk in Poland, to take part in a common photography project 'Destination Europe' organized by Diaphane, a Photo Association that also originated Beauvais’ Photography Festival. I also have many projects in connection to ‘Landscape’ and I have to make a choice. One of my current series I call 'Des Bouts' du monde and another I am just about to start which will  continue the theme of 'L’Illusion du Tranquille'. But I can’t really talk about it now. However, it is for this project that I am about travel to the Littoral Region, to take pictures there.

© François Deladerrière from the series 'L'illusion du Tranquille'

Last but not least, what’s your favorite color?

FD: The very light blue of an iceberg.

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LINKS 
François Deladerrière 
France