Olivier Richon

Olivier Richons work is slightly similiar to Keith Arnatts, they both deal with art history using the photographic medium. Richon uses the objects to explore photographic theory and art history. He mentions Jean Baudrillard and quotes "it is the photographed object, the object as image that places us as subjects" and Bazin "the complete satisfaction of our apetite for illusion through a mechanical reproduction which excludes man". With Richons work, he tries not to imitate painting and makes sure it is clear they are produced through the medium of photography with use of lighting, there is no pretence of them being anything other than a photographic staging. His work deals with many debates there have been surrounding photography and also surrounding photography as art. I have looked at his work in relation to my own project 'This must be the place' in order to understand how to reference the history of art with objects and how you can give objects a sculptural quality with the way you present, light and photograph them.

Keith Arnatt

Olivier Richon

Richons work much like Keith Arnatt deals with Still Life which inevitably links to still life painting and Norman Brysons book 'Looking at the overlooked'. Still life painting was seen as the least respected form of art much like photography. Refencing this with photography highlights the mediums status as art. Another aspect of Richons work that seems to be continuous is the use of books within his compositions, linking knowledge and art to photography.