The exhibition DEEP by photographer Marthe Sobczak invites us to explore a parallel universe, through her gaze, beyond the limits. The depths of the ocean and the marine life intertwine in these images, captured in St Barth&eacute;lemy, which crystallize moments suspended from the aquatic film camera

Summum, ODP, and L&rsquo;Officiel St Barth are pleased to invite you to the opening of the exhibition DEEP by photographer Marthe Sobczak. Marthe Sobczak invites us to explore a parallel universe, through her gaze, beyond the limits. The depths of the ocean and the marine life intertwine in these images, captured in St Barth&eacute;lemy, which crystallize moments suspended from the aquatic film camera.
L'Officiel: Your new exhibition is called DEEP and is about the oceans. Talk to us about this photographic work. Marthe Sobczak:&nbsp;For some time I have been regularly in Saint Barth, which has allowed me to go scuba diving again, which I often do when I am traveling because I like it. The time-space I have here allows me to stay connected with photography as a personal artistic expression. The connection with nature, travel, water, and the expression of what is deep within me has always been part of my creative process. Here, each dive, some more beautiful than the others, allowed me to create. The encounter with a lionfish, a turtle, fauna, and flora in general, landscapes of coral or underwater sand desert... Moments suspended in the water, immortalized, which suddenly bring to light the DEEP&nbsp;series. I started to photograph during my first dive with 4 underwater disposable film cameras. After development and scans of the first rolls, very beautiful images appeared, in particular that of the lionfish. I told myself that this was the opportunity to set up my 4th exhibition. SUMMUM architecture, which also exhibits artists in their gallery, offered me to exhibit. So I continued my photographic work on a second trip.

L'O:&nbsp;You say you like parallel universes. Tell us about the underwater world. 
MS: The exploration of the parallel world is like the exploration towards the infinite, I like how Blaise Pascal writes &lsquo;Let the man contemplate the whole nature in its high and full majesty, let him move his sight away from the low objects which surround him&rsquo;. It is like going beyond the small being that we are to go towards the discovery of something much greater. There is here a dimension of inner enrichment but also I think as an artist a dimension of necessary sharing because otherwise what we are or create has no meaning. Exploring the depths of the sea or climbing a volcano allows us to reposition ourselves and reconsider our being and our place in the universe, in the infinite. It is a metaphysical approach to the consideration of the being and its environment. Water allows us to live. How do we take care of this vital element today?

L'O: How did you realize this work &lsquo;Under Water&rsquo;?
MS:&nbsp;I like the simplicity and the rawness, these photos are taken with a KODAK disposable waterproof film camera. The film and the print show a lot of grain, which shows the hypersensitivity of the film which, even with the little light received, reveals all the more the beauty of the depths. Also, the advantage of this process is to be able to fully enjoy the moment, because there is no return of the captured image to the device. Until the film is developed and scanned we have no idea what to expect. When we receive the scans it&rsquo;s double or nothing. There are a lot of failed images but there are also a few that turn out to be exceptional. Post-production and editing work is now an integral part of my job. You have to know the entire production chain of an image to be able to bring them to life. Art direction, photography, and post-production.
 L'O: You work a lot with fashion &amp; still-life photography, did you have the same approach when working with water?
MS:&nbsp;I mainly work as a fashion photographer in Paris and Berlin, with houses such as Chanel, Alexandra Golovanoff, Resea, Yves Salomon, Olympia le Tan, Dorothee Schumacher... I like fashion because it has allowed me to meet very nice people and the infinite creative aspect of this environment which is part of a framework that changes non-stop and quickly corresponds to my creative process. I photograph clothes worn on mannequins but also still lifes, I like both and enhance both the brand and the garment with an authentic photographic identity. My approach to the bottom of the water is the same because what interests me is authenticity and I remain close to the material, to the natural beauty that is offered to me when I perceive it and when I decide to photograph it to share it.&nbsp;

L'O: Before becoming a photographer you did modeling. What has your experience as a model brought to your work as a photographer?
MS:&nbsp;I think it allowed me to integrate into the world of fashion as a photographer more easily with a global understanding of the creation&nbsp;of images in this environment.

L'O: Where do you find inspiration?
MS:&nbsp;Stay connected to yourself. The inspiration is very linked to my sensitivity and the moment but also then the move to action. Have an idea, feel it, try it, see if it works, start the creative process, take photos, watch, edit, retake photos, be in action, and complete a project. This is what inspires me the most. Sometimes I see images that I had the idea to do before seeing them, then I tell myself I should have done them when I had the idea. Once it is seen elsewhere, it no longer interests me. Creation is infinite. It&rsquo;s there deep inside, you just have to hear it and take action, give yourself the means to complete a project, and share it.

L'O:&nbsp;You are exhibiting in St Barth at Summum gallery which is both a contemporary art gallery and an architecture agency. Do you see a connection between photography and architecture?
MS:&nbsp;When I was a child I wanted to be an architect but also to speak with images. I am surrounded by architect friends. I think it&rsquo;s a story of perception of being or objects in space that brings these two arts together. I also conceive my photos as the completion of a space, like&nbsp;a&nbsp;&lsquo;habillage&rsquo; to imbue a room with a distinct essence through art. I like Charlotte Perriand&rsquo;s approach, who inseparably designed spaces that have a soul while integrating works of art from her artist friends.

L'O: How did you discover the island of St Barth?
MS:&nbsp;I discovered the island of Saint Barth by following my love for the man I am with today.

L'O: What are your future plans?
MS:&nbsp;I would like to continue the DEEP series, and continue to photograph underwater to be able to organize a 2nd exhibition with new dives and new images in Paris and why not elsewhere afterward.
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DEEP by photographer MARTHE SOBCZAK
Opening Thursday, March 16 from 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Exhibition March 16 - June 16, 2023
Summum St Barth / ODP, Les Sables - St Jean - 97133 St Barth&eacute;lemy
www.marthesobczak.com

Marthe Sobczak, Space Lion, 2023

MARTHE SOBCZAK
French artist born to Polish parents, Marthe Sobczak started photography for her love of painting, colors and shapes.
Graduated from Gobelins in 2011, she asserts herself there as a professional, experimenting with photography. 
Marthe Sobczak has been working with prestigious houses such as Chanel, Eres, Issey Miyake, Alexandra Golovanoff or Yves Salomon, she develops her vision of photography through simplicity and rawness. Her work suspends time, captures strength, softness, duality and freedom.

Deep Beyond The Limits

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