EXHIBITION OF MATTHIEU RICARD'S PHOTOGRAPHS
Henri Cartier-Bresson
At the heart of the Pavilion, CONTEMPLATION presents the exhibition of Matthieu Ricard’s photographs, in a central room entirely dedicated to these very large format prints.
All the photographs are in black and white, and printed on traditional Japanese Awagami paper: a real cultural heritage whose production dates back around 1,400 years and which is handmade and made to measure.The forty 2m x 1.5m prints occupy the entire space, immersing the spectator in an atmosphere that encourages reflection. Each photo comes along with a quote that inspires introspection and meditation, chosen and handwritten by Matthieu Ricard himself.
These photos, taken between 1983 and 2017, are an intimate testimony of Matthieu Ricard’s life and travels.
From Nepal to India, from Argentina to Tibet and from Chile to Bhutan, the light emerges from the plenitude of these immense landscapes, immersing the visitor into the unique atmosphere of CONTEMPLATION.
“Any medium of expression has its limits, but when we use it wholeheartedly and enthusiastically,
we ultimately find the way to share what is most important to us.”
— Matthieu Ricard —
CONTEMPLATING THE WORLD
“What matters most is to restore hope concerning our human nature, to prompt us to take care of our exceedingly fragile environment, and to encourage us to transform ourselves so that we can better transform the world. We must dare open ourselves to others, to the vast interdependence of all beings and of nature, and we must take to heart the fate of future generations and of all other species, who strive to avoid suffering and live their lives out to their natural end just as we do.”
— Matthieu Ricard
40 photographs by Matthieu Ricard, on 2 m x 1,5 m prints
A 1,400 year-old Japanese traditional paper
Unique and signed prints by Matthieu Ricard
Matthieu Ricard
Born 1946, Aix-les-Bains, France.
Lives and works in Nepal.
Matthieu Ricard is a Buddhist monk, scientist, author, and translator but also a photographer. For more than 40 years, he has devoted his life to the study and practice of Buddhism with the greatest spiritual masters from Tibet, in the heart of those Himalayas he constantly photographs.
All proceeds from Matthieu Ricard’s participation to CONTEMPLATION will be donated to Karuna-Shechen :