Montier Photo Festival

Presentation

Franck RENARD

  Belgique
  Forest ranger and amateur photographer, Franck Renard works in the forest and returns there for his pleasure, to make pictures. The Hautes-Fagnes, a nature reserve located on the high plateau of the eastern part of the province of Liège, Belgium, is a mini Scandinavia that he particularly likes. He likes to walk tirelessly the same peaty paths and the sinuous grating. The gloom of the climate and the sadness of the sky are opportunities to seek inspiration for new images. A full moon glow on frosted birches: happiness is touched by the gaze.

Exposition

 

Located in the heart of the nature reserve of the Hautes-Fagnes, the Black Flohay, is a forest almost disappeared. Barely 5 or 6 hectares of Scots pines, planted in the middle of the 19th century, in a peaty moor far too hostile to let these trees grow in peace. The rigors of the climate, the frost and the sticky snow have had to torture these trees throughout their existence. Twisted, abused, tormented over time, the pines survive against winds and storms. But he is a relentless enemy, against whom trees cannot fight: fire! There were many fires in this barren area, drained by the drains and dry winds of spring. The most famous will take place in 1911, 1968, 1971. Each time, the Black Flohay is threatened, endangered, but there are still some pines rescued. Survivors. To this day in April 2011. Once again, the fire is raging. More than 1,000 hectares will be ravaged by flames. This time, the Black Flohay will not survive. The pines will be asphyxiated, burnt, roasted to the heart of the wood. The Black Flohay is dead, burnt. The trees remain standing, like spectrums with greying trunks, like the old ones at the end of their lives. For some time yet, dead trees will decompose, slowly. Their scrawny silhouettes, offered to the nostalgic eye of the hiker, continue to shrink, until one day disappear. Forever. Part of the history of these valiant trees is the subject of this exhibition. Almost 20 years of the history of Black Flohay, summarized in a few images. To remember. To remember that nothing is ever definitive.

Books

Hautes-Fagnes. Savanne d'Ardenne.

Hautes-Fagnes. Savanne d'Ardenne.

  Author : Franck Renard
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  Publisher : C'est beau ! éditions.