reGeneration3

reGeneration – an innovative international project devoted to the emerging photographic scene launched in 2005 – represents one of the hallmarks of the Musee de l’Elysee. Although many similar projects have seen the day since then, the Musee de l’Elysee decided to embark on a third edition on the occasion of its 30th anniversary, one that would focus on the multifaceted nature of photography.

Almost one hundred art academies worldwide responded to our call for applications and submitted up to five portfolios of the best work of their recently graduated students. After a careful review of the 400 applications submitted, three major themes were identified as being representative of the emerging art scene: the variety of approaches for dealing with documentary subjects; the question of memory; and the wealth of aesthetic photographic expressions inspired by the history of the medium and, more broadly, the history of art.

reGeneration3 brings together 50 artists with 25 different nationalities, representing some 40 art institutions. Their work is distinguished by their multidisciplinarity, ranging from printing and photographic series, artists’ books, multimedia installations, videos, projections, films and performances, to on-site installations.

The format of the book devoted to reGeneration3 takes the ever-growing popularity of the photography book into account. With its 184 pages, the book is designed by graphic artists from the Supero studios and coproduced by Editions Skira. It testifies to the museum’s interest in artists’ books and to its commitment to giving priority to the image. The integration of augmented reality in the two versions of the book – French and English – allows access to the video and multimedia works presented in the exhibition. The texts can be found at the end of the book. They include a postface by Tatyana Franck, the presentation of this new edition by Anne Lacoste, and biographical and descriptive notes concerning the works of the 50 artists chosen, written by Lydia Dorner, Emilie Delcambre and Saida Bondini.