A Close-Up on Rachid Khimoune’s ‘Children of the World’ Statues in Bercy Park
In the serene expanse of Bercy Park, Paris, stands a poignant assembly of statues known as ‘Children of the World,’ crafted by the distinguished French sculptor, Rachid Khimoune. Each of the 21 statues, fashioned from the very essence of city streets, bears a unique name that echoes the soul and spirit of the country it represents:
- Ayako la Japonaise – Japan
- Dick l’Anglais – England
- Kahina la Kabyle – Kabylia
- Akavak le Canadien – Canada
- Mu Nan la Chinoise – China
- Jean le petit Suisse – Switzerland
- Eve l’Allemande – Germany
- Mahatma l’Indien – India
- Jean-Baptiste le Monégasque – Monaco
- Naomi l’Africaine – Africa
- Mohamed le Marocain – Morocco
- Jim le New Yorkais – New York
- Jeanne la poupée Russe – Russia
- Enzo L’italien – Italy
- Felipe le Mexicain – Mexico
- Ali le Tunisien – Tunisia
- Rania l’Arabe – Arab countries
- Antonio le Brésilien – Brazil
- Isis l’Egyptienne – Egypt
- Marie-Carmen l’Espagnole – Spain
- Le Titi Parisien – Paris
The inspiration for this photoshoot sprung from a fascination with the artistry and symbolism behind each statue. They are not mere sculptures but embodiments of childhood across the globe. The vivid colors and sewer mold construction speak volumes about the cultural mood each child represents. This photographic endeavor was my homage to the silent stories these figures tell, an attempt to immortalize their narrative through my lens. It was a journey of capturing not just images, but souls — each frame a testament to the world’s vibrant diversity.
Technical information
As I embarked on the photographic journey to capture Rachid Khimoune’s ‘Children of the World’ statues, I was met with a technical challenge that would ultimately enhance the visual narrative of the collage. Each shot required meticulous attention to detail to maintain consistency across the series.
Camera Settings:
- Exposure Time: To capture the statues with clarity, I used a 1/125 second exposure at f/5.6, allowing me to freeze the moment without losing detail to motion blur or depth of field.
- Focal Length: A 50mm lens on my Canon EOS 5D Mark III was my choice for its natural perspective, closely resembling the field of view of the human eye.
- ISO Speed: Set at ISO 200, I balanced the need for sharpness with the available light, ensuring minimal noise and maximum detail.
- Flash: I opted not to use a flash to preserve the statues’ ambient lighting, highlighting their textures and contours as they are seen in their natural environment.
- Exposure Program: The decision to shoot in manual mode gave me complete control over the exposure settings, necessary for the consistent look of the images.
- Metering Mode: A pattern metering mode helped me to measure the light across the entire frame for a balanced exposure.
Lens:
- Canon EF50mm f/1.4 USM: This lens provided me with the versatility to achieve sharp images with a pleasing background, even in the soft light of Bercy Park.
After the on-site photography session, the real magic happened during post-production. The raw images were carefully edited using Photoshop to ensure consistent exposure across all shots. This meticulous process was crucial in creating a harmonious 3×7 collage that truly represented the unity of Rachid Khimoune’s ‘Children of the World.’ Each photograph in the collage was adjusted to match in light and tone, making the final piece a cohesive and balanced tableau that stands as a testament to both the diversity and the unity of the children it represents.
For more about Rachid Khimoune and his work, visit rachidkhimoune.com.
