North Wall of the Grande Arche – Urban Geometry and Light
Urban contrasts and poetic light. In this architectural photography series, I explore the North Wall of the Grande Arche in La Défense through a minimalist lens. Between shadows, reflections, and fleeting silhouettes, this iconic structure becomes the stage for an ever-evolving urban ballet.
The North Wall of the Grande Arche: An Architecture of Contrasts
The Grande Arche, an emblem of contemporary Parisian architecture, reveals a new perspective through this dedicated photo series focused on its North Wall. A place of movement and passage, this geometric structure asserts its monumental presence while playing with natural light and mirrored surfaces.
A Visual Exploration of Urban Minimalism
My photographic approach revolves around contrast and perspective. The North Wall offers a fascinating space for experimentation, where architectural lines intersect with the fluidity of shadows and the rhythm of passers-by. Each shot captures a new facet of this constantly changing environment, shaped by light and reflection.
Shot in black and white, textures are enhanced, forms become more sculptural, and contrasts drive the visual composition. The tension between sharpness and blur, the static nature of the structure and the motion of people, lies at the heart of my artistic research.
Light, Reflections, and Geometry: An Urban Symphony
The North Wall is also a space where glass, steel, and modern materials interact with sunlight. Depending on the time of day and weather conditions, the transparency of the surfaces reveals silhouettes, and the layered reflections create striking optical illusions.
One of the key elements in this series is how light and shadow sculpt the volume. The floor becomes a canvas where shapes are drawn in contrast, while the immense frame of the Arche dominates the perspective. The result is a tension between architectural rigidity and fleeting human presence, a dichotomy that deeply inspires my work.
A Photographic Journey Through Space and Time
Each image in this collection tells a unique story, a dialogue between humans and architecture, between the ephemeral and the lasting. Some photographs reveal a futuristic vision of the North Wall’s corridor, with colorful reflections transforming the space into another dimension.
Other, more minimalist compositions highlight the power of simplicity, where a few visual elements are enough to frame the scene and freeze a moment in time.
Click on the photos below to view them in full screen.
All the photos displayed on this website are copyright protected © Sebastien Desnoulez. No use allowed without written authorization.
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