Nicolas Lahoun is a photographer who lives and works in Biarritz. A traveler in the stillness of the silver lens, he is captivated by the magic the material reveals to him. He dives into the modulations of washi, bringing to life the sound structures of waves and bodies in
motion.
A passionate collector of the old and the rare, Nicolas has amassed an impressive collection of 35mm and medium-format cameras. He knows their mechanisms like the back of his hand, and his artistic vision compels him to retreat into the dim glow of his laboratory, bathed in black and red light. There, he spends hours developing, coating, fixing, isolating, and extending the captured light into shadow.
Years of unlearning conventional motifs have shaped his ability to depict the intricate forms of reality. Deeply influenced by Japanese culture, Nicolas is drawn to the minute details of “washi” paper, upon which he projects his images. For him, everything becomes
material: pauses, details, layers, time, patience, dexterity, and a steadfast dedication to embracing mistakes, stains, surprises, and irregularities—the very elements that imbue his work with its unique beauty.
Nicolas takes his fascination with Japanese brushes to new heights, gluing and superimposing the washi in ways that challenge both the creator and the viewer. The resulting work is a test of the soul, resonating with those who recognize and appreciate its depth and artistry