The first solo exhibition in Japan by Paris-based photographer Pierre-Élie de Pibrac will be held at Chanel Nexus Hall in Ginza from Wednesday, March 11 to Friday, March 27, 2020. This exhibition will showcase "In Situ," a trilogy created by de Pibrac over two seasons, from 2013 onwards, as he lived alongside the Paris Opera Ballet, capturing its almost mythical world.

The Paris Opera is the world's premier stage for ballet dancers. "In Situ," a trilogy by Paris-based photographer Pierre-Élie de Pibrac, captures the dancers' almost mythical beauty in its entirety. Created through de Pibrac's immersion in the lives of the ballet dancers backstage at the Palais Garnier and Opéra Bastille, the venues of the Paris Opera Ballet, his works possess a unique aesthetic that rivals the opera house and the dancers themselves. Selected pieces from this trilogy will be exhibited for the first time in Japan at Chanel Nexus Hall in Ginza.

Pierre-Élie de Pibrac had a strong connection to photography from an early age, influenced by his grandfather, Paul de Cordon, who was also a photographer. His dedicated work in photography from 2007 to 2010 further solidified his bond with the medium. De Pibrac consistently pursues his themes, dedicating several months to a single subject, whether through reportage, abstract art, or staged expressions, while carefully selecting his equipment. His intense focus on the Paris Opera Ballet is evident in "In Situ," developed over the 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 seasons.

One part of the trilogy, "Confidences," features photographs taken backstage and during rehearsals. By using a silent camera and special lenses, de Pibrac was able to get close to the dancers, capturing raw and direct emotional images. "Catharsis," shot in dim lighting, expresses the dancers' energetic movements in an abstract, painterly manner. "Analogia," which places dancers within the grand Garnier Palace, evokes the composition of a deep, magnificent painting. Both are color series, but they were created with different perspectives and formats, making their distinctions noteworthy.

The exhibition also offers a chance to see iconic works such as Angelin Preljocaj's "Le Parc," Pina Bausch's "Orpheus and Eurydice," Saburo Teshigawara's "The Darkness is a Black Horse," and Maurice Béjart's "Boléro," performed by dancers of the Paris Opera Ballet. The "In Situ" series demonstrates de Pibrac's insight and intimacy with his subjects, serving as a testament to his originality in comprehensively exploring the environment surrounding the mythically splendid Paris Opera Ballet.

Pierre-Élie de Pibrac: In Situ Exhibition
Dates | Wednesday, March 11 – Friday, March 27, 2020
Venue | Chanel Nexus Hall
Address | 3-5-3 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Chanel Ginza Building 4F
Hours | 12:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Organizer | Chanel K.K.