L'ANGLE Gallery is hosting a compelling photography exhibition titled "Shamans: Resonance in the Visible and the Invisible" by renowned photographer Patrick James Michel. The exhibition explores the ancient spiritual tradition of shamanism through a unique lens that bridges contemporary art with timeless wisdom. Unlike Western perspectives that tend to compartmentalize different aspects of existence, shamans across five continents maintain a holistic worldview that does not separate the material from the spiritual, the visible from the invisible, or humans from living nature.
The exhibition comes at a time when there is a notable shift in how shamans are perceived in modern society. Michel's work reflects a growing awareness of the primordial importance of nature and Mother Earth, influenced partly by New Age trends but more significantly by a deeper understanding of environmental consciousness. This return to grace for shamanic traditions represents a broader cultural movement toward reconnecting with ancient wisdom.
Through his striking portraits, Patrick James Michel takes viewers on an extraordinary journey that spans both time and quantum physics. His work specifically explores resonance as a phenomenon of dynamic interaction between the subject and the world around them. The photographer delves into the concept of how energy and consciousness interact across different planes of existence, drawing from shamanic traditions that have understood these connections for millennia.
The exhibition transforms the gallery space into a poetic environment for sharing energy, masterfully combining photographs, texts, and videos. This multimedia approach creates an immersive experience that allows visitors to engage with the work on multiple sensory levels. The integration of different media forms reflects the shamanic understanding of how various forms of communication and expression can work together to convey deeper truths.
Michel's technical approach to photography is as remarkable as his subject matter. The photographs are captured using a 20x25cm view camera with the wet-plate collodion process on glass plates, a technique that dates back to the 19th century. The collodion plates are then carefully scanned and printed on archival paper, with some pieces receiving platinum printing or being produced using the artisanal grain gravure process on copper plates. This meticulous attention to traditional photographic methods creates images with exceptional depth and character.
Another portion of the work is produced using both 45cm and 20x25cm view cameras with negative film plates, which are subsequently printed on baryta paper. This combination of historical techniques with contemporary presentation methods creates a unique aesthetic that perfectly complements the timeless nature of the subject matter. The choice to use these traditional processes is deeply intentional, connecting the work to the historical roots of photography itself.
The photographer's deliberate return to traditional photographic techniques serves a purpose beyond mere aesthetic choice. These methods draw directly from the sources of photography's inherent magic, incorporating elements of alchemy and dematerialization that align perfectly with the shamanic worldview. This approach creates a resonance between the medium and the message, as both shamanic practices and early photography involve transformation and the revelation of hidden realities.
Michel's work raises profound questions about reconfiguring the relationships between women, men, and the universe in which we live. Through his portraits of shamans, he explores the possibility of restoring harmonious resonance in our modern world. The exhibition suggests that ancient shamanic wisdom, despite – or perhaps because of – its age, remains more relevant than ever in addressing contemporary challenges facing humanity and our planet.
The exhibition "Shamans: Resonance in the Visible and the Invisible" by Patrick James Michel will run from October 3 to November 9, 2025, at L'ANGLE Gallery located at 6, rue des Citronniers in Hendaye (64700), France. This significant exhibition offers viewers an opportunity to experience how traditional photographic artistry can illuminate ancient wisdom and contemporary relevance simultaneously.
