Charles Twist - Photography

The enclosure

These photographs were taken in the dying days of 2008 on a visit to Paris. I had known about this complex of towers - called the Front de Seine - for quite a while, but had never had the chance to invest any quality time. The complex comprises both residential and commercial property; it is built following principles LeCorbusier encouraged, notably the separation of vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Cars move on a lower "street" level, while humans move on an elevated car-free esplanade - car-free and care-free.

This esplanade unites the complex, not just by permitting free pedestrian circulation (although now compromised by the destruction of the bridge over the rue Linois) but also by the use of homogeneous floor decoration. This consists of white tiles interspersed with coloured ones in order to form geometric patterns, which reportedly gain in significance from the high vantage points afforded by the high-rise appartment blocks. (These tiles are also very slippery at the first sign of any dampness!) These tiles may be observed throughout and for me defined the area to be explored.

The other obvious feature which unites the complex are the sky-scrapers, for which the esplanade provides excellent, close views. Indeed, this level has been designed to be agreeable and give the passer-by an aesthetic experience - whether it is felt, and how, is another matter. To this end, the towers make strong statements, each one having its identity. Some elements are repeated to create themes: the most notable of these is that many towers are narrower at ground (esplanade) level than at the levels of habitation, which therefore overhang. The superstructure is effectively removed at lower levels baring the skeleton (this was a response to fire regulations). Being around seven metres tall on average, these dominate the foreground and much thought has therefore been put in to decorating otherwise plain surfaces. The hinter-ground, in contrast, is dominated by the upper floors. Set against this backdrop, are elements of urban furniture - benches, plants - and smaller items of structure - vents, staircases.

The exclusion of vehicular traffic combines with the functional and aesthetic unity to create a sense of seclusion. This is a world isolated from the surrounding city. This feeling is reinforced when one perceives the walls which bound the private dwellings, as merging to become the walls which surround and define a community. I sense in this process a primitive urge for protection and identity. This project seeks out the communal wall, which is emphasised by abstracting out the elements particular to the Front de Seine. There are indirect references to the Paris surrounding it through reflections in windows or glimpses snatched through holes in the rampart, but the principal subject here is the wall which contains this community. It is massive, yet colourful and varied. The photographs hopefully show these traits and how the elements of detail play with their surrounds in order to yield the aesthetic experience particular to this enclosure.

The photographs are available as a limited edition of 25 prints, starting at £225 each (as numbers are depleted, the price will increase). The prints are 19" by 24" (48cm by 60cm), mounted in a recessed, white frame. The prints are also available as one-off prints, 40" by 50" (1m by 1.25m) mounted on a thick, stiff board, for £450.