Photographer Jean-Michel Probst is showcasing his street photography collection at the Samia Artho Art Studio in Delémont, with the exhibition opening this Friday and running through November 9. The photographer aims to capture and immortalize the essence of urban life through his lens, focusing particularly on scenes from the Swiss town of Delémont.
Probst has been carefully preparing the details of his exhibition, which celebrates the art of street photography. Speaking as a guest on "La Matinale" this Wednesday, he described the diverse range of images visitors can expect to see. "There are views of Delémont, some moon phases, and other festive images," he explained, highlighting the variety of subjects captured in his work.
The artist expressed his fascination with street photography as an accessible and immediate art form. "You can have a small camera and capture in a short time what can happen," Probst noted, emphasizing the spontaneous nature of street photography that allows photographers to document life as it unfolds in real-time.
For Probst, focusing on Delémont was a natural choice that stemmed from his desire to break away from the typical urban photography subjects. He wanted to move beyond the commonly photographed cities like Tokyo, Chicago, Paris, or New York. "There's never anything about Delémont, so I told myself I had to get started," he said with a laugh, explaining his motivation to showcase his hometown.
The photographer believes Delémont is perfectly suited for street photography despite its modest size. As an RFJ radio host, Probst has a deep appreciation for his city's unique character. "You can be happy in a city of 13,000 inhabitants to have a church like St-Marcel that is several centuries old and buildings near the train station that reflect a certain modernity," he explained. "I find it fascinating to have all that in such a small city."
The public will have the opportunity to discover Probst's perspective on Delémont and urban life when the exhibition opens with a vernissage on Friday at 6:00 PM. The showcase promises to offer viewers a fresh look at street photography through the lens of a local artist who finds beauty and significance in everyday urban moments.
