Lux in tenebris
Vincent Jendly almost drowned when he was just five years old and this moment has remained engraved in his memory ever since. Years later, he is still trying to come to terms with water, the element that very nearly took his life. His Lux in tenebris series proposes a deep and intimate immersion in the sea. In 2015, fate led him to his first voyage aboard a Greek cargo ship and into the strange and unfamiliar world of huge maritime freight vessels. When night fell and the sky was overcast, and all the lights were off, it was hard to distinguish the ship from the dark water. When a beam of light shone through the darkness, Jendly pictured himself as a child again, opening his eyes to the dazzling light that brought him back to the land of the living. Four more trips aboard cargo ships enabled him to complete his project. The result is a series of videos and photographs that embark viewers on an unusual maritime journey.
With the support of Suisse-Atlantique, as a tribute to all sailors.
Belle Époque
In the early 20th century, as the Vaud Riviera became a major tourist destination, the Compagnie Générale de Navigation (CGN), based on Lake Geneva, built several large paddle steamboats with luxurious lounges. ‘La Suisse’ and ‘Vevey’, among other such ‘Belle Epoque’ boats, have since become an integral part of the local lake scenery. These landmarks were immortalised by Vincent Jendly since 2012. The Swiss photographer presents this iconic heritage of Lake Geneva in a timeless manner, combining long exposures taken in winter with subtle digital effects to make the images cleaner. Photographed in this way, these ships float between past and present. Vincent Jendly evokes his childhood trips on Lake Geneva and revives memories for local residents and passing tourists. His Belle Époque pays tribute to this historic fleet, presented in the park by the Nestlé international headquarters, whose distinctive architecture resonates with the elegance of these steel giants from times gone by.
