“I first question myself about my own relationship to work”. A freelance photographer for sixteen years, Marielsa Niels, 37, has long been seen as a “relentless workaholic”. Artistic collaborations, orders for the national press, exhibitions in France and abroad…
For Clermont/Massif Central 2028, European Capital of Culture, she is producing a photographic series “Do with” which accompanies poems by the novelist Cécile Coulon. The individual is “the cornerstone” of his work.
Since the health crisis, it’s been going around in his head. She thinks about her job, her status, the value of work in general. “How far are we going??” she asks. “What about telecommuting? There are positives, negatives and what about coworking spaces??”. In the end, what is the job?? What does it represent for individuals?
Photographer Roselyne Titaud in residence at the Puy-Guillaume glassworks
Her inner questions give her the desire to deepen her reflection by setting up an artistic project. “What interests me is the individual and his interpretation of work”. In partnership with Cowork’it and the Mo(uve)ment association, the artist is setting up his studio for six months in Clermont-Ferrand within the coworking space by responding to a call for tenders. The advantage of the place: “The creative side and the photo studio behind”. The project actually starts in November 2022.
Think together
Marielsa Niels formulates her project. Try it. Photographic portraits?? Yes. But not only. “I want to test new materials, also take sound, voices, and collect writings. Lots of things are possible”.
Since March, she has been conducting interviews with women and men, whom she rubs shoulders with, whom she meets in her daily life. She summarizes them as follows: “an intimate discussion about their relationship to work, their lives and a shooting”.
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The photographer does not want to work in her corner. “The idea is really that everyone can come and add something. I want to learn from everyone’s experiences to bring common elements to the reflection”. A dedicated web page has been created as a “collaborative platform to post links, documents, thoughts, visions, anecdotes anonymously or not. To be inspired, learn and discover together”.
What interests me is the individual and his interpretation of the work.
This “matter” as she calls it may be presented during the presentation of the residency which will take place at the heart of the “Les Arts en promenade” event from May 26 to 29 in the Auvergne capital. “At this point, I don’t yet know what will appear in the public eye,” she admits.
To participate.
The web page dedicated to the Marielsa Niels project is available ici.
Bastien Durand
