Polaroid

One Christmas evening in 1942, American Edwin Land imagined the Polaroid, inspired by his 4-year-old daughter who wanted to see the photos immediately. Marketed in 1948, this first all-in-one camera revolutionized instant photography. Faced with competition from digital cameras, Polaroid ceased production in 2007 and closed its last film factories in 2008, much to the dismay of enthusiasts. However, it was young Europeans and Americans, attracted by the instant magic and retro charm of physical prints, who revived interest in Polaroid. The medium also seduced artists such as Ansel Adams, Andy Warhol, Helmut Newton, Maripol and David Lynch, each exploiting their singularity to create iconic works. Artist André Robé reworks his Polaroids to give them a unique character. The cracks, stains and degradations that adorn the edges of the image enrich the photograph, giving it a singular texture and emotional depth. Far from distorting the work, these marks symbolize the passage of time, the ephemerality of memories and the beauty of imperfection. He also adds elements to the Polaroids. Inspired by the iconic video game Space Invader, an important reference point in his artistic career, he has sprinkled some of his Polaroids with these little digital creatures, creating a fascinating interplay between art and architecture. These aliens invade the photograph, not to destroy it, but to transform and embellish it. Also inspired by slime, the artist has added almost fluorescent greens in a highly constructed way, an influence that gives the scene a smooth, elastic texture, adding a touch of fantasy and modernity.