Or et Lumière

Presentation

An exhibition of photographs and video by Nicolas Claris and Romain Claris

Where gold and light converge… Perspectives

Photographer and filmmaker, Nicolas Claris and Romain Claris offer a dreamlike journey through winter and autumn, across magnificent vineyards and the workshops of Print… Shown in counterpoint, the subtle harmony and refinement of Print's work reveals the richness of the terroirs.

One does not watch a film as one visits a photography exhibition… Each has its own privileged moment. Convinced that photographs and film can complement each other, add up and multiply feelings and emotions, we exhibit both!

Different perspectives, yet in symbiosis — a multi-generational but shared emotion…

Season 1

Winter

The custom is to show Bordeaux châteaux in summer or autumn during harvest, when the light is warm and the grapes are ripe and full. But what happens in winter, when the vines rest and the shoots are cut back?

Winter brings calm to the cellars… Almost everything sleeps; the angels quietly take their share while the barrels lie still, dormant yet benevolent toward their contents. Large-format, high-definition images that reveal refinement and romance, where soft colours heighten beauty and emotion.

In January and February 2014, to capture these winter images, we paid several visits to our three châteaux. Approaching calmly and discreetly, yet with confidence and serenity, we explored these new grounds with a love of discovery, a desire for surprise, and a longing to bring something back.

Season 2

Autumn

Deeply moved by these discoveries, we were immediately captivated by the places and their people. It is remarkable how simple, sincere kindness and human warmth can shape a place and its atmosphere.

With the renewed complicity of all three estates, we returned nine months later to capture those celebrated warm golden colours of a fading summer…

Season 3

Out of time

The analogy with Print's magnificent hot-foil gilding work became obvious — an insight that gave rise to this exhibition, where gold, their raw material, so perfectly combines and mingles with ours… Light!

The machines clatter and roll, their reciprocating motions drawing in, pressing and releasing sheets of fine paper as the gold is laid down hot yet gently; the ritual plays on tirelessly under the watchful eye of the operator, who shows no mercy to the rare and unwelcome deviation…

A labour that will give us an irresistible urge to savour the luminous pleasures of a great vintage draped behind its label — we will be transported, as if possessed by the enchantment of gold and light.

Partner

Print System

For all offset printing work, Claris chose Print. The photographic work is elevated by the quality and care that Print brings to the reproduction of each image — a true partner of the exhibition.

Nicolas Brunaud and his wife Muriel Malabat have run this family-owned printing house in Bègles for many years. With two divisions — Print Dorure for label work and Print Système for publishing — and a team of 34, Print delivers printing services and solutions that add genuine value to creative work.

They have made expert guidance and attention to detail a philosophy, which has established Print as the printer of choice for the Bordeaux wine and spirits industry.

Claris and Print have long collaborated on advertising brochures and luxury publications. Watch the film "CNB 100 Chrisco — The making of"

28 creations by Print — hot-foil gold in all its forms!

The authors

Nicolas Claris

Co-founder in 1993 of Claris Image Builder — Photographer

"It takes a lot of maritime knowledge to give each boat its most beautiful aspects. It takes a lot of technical knowledge to master the recent art of digital. It takes a lot of humility to serve your subjects, not use them. It takes a lot of energy to take on new challenges every year. It takes a lot of academicism to know how to break codes. It takes a lot of respect to avoid the easy way out. It takes a lot of love to make generous images. It takes a lot of open-mindedness to be a great artist." — Bruno Belmont, Product Development, Groupe Bénéteau

In 2008, Sinar entrusted him with an HY6 for a year of intensive testing under extraordinary conditions. Now addicted to medium format (large sensors), Nicolas Claris became one of Pentax's rare ambassadors from 2012 to 2021.

In 2022, he switched to even more technologically advanced Fujifilm equipment — still medium format, with a 102-megapixel sensor delivering exceptional colour and image quality.

Full biography Website

Romain Claris

Claris Image Builder — Video Director

"If a wide angle shot is what we can all do, detail is what is lacking for our image-drowned eye with which we look at the world. Then, only then — the fold of fabric in a sewing machine, the stroke of a brush on a white page, drops of rain on a train window, the hand of a sculptor, a pebble becoming a jewel, the flexible foot of a dancer… all these things filmed by Romain Claris move us because they allow us to see a wider, richer, more complex world than we thought." — Jacques Dubuisson, Screenwriter, Director

Romain Claris has been creating short films since 2000, selected and awarded at over a hundred international film festivals. Graduate of the Conservatoire Libre du Cinéma Français in Paris, 2005.

In 2020, he co-founded the Bordeaux Shorts Biennale. In preparation for 2026: the documentary Les comptes de la lune, an alternative history of the invention of numbers and calculation.

Full biography Awards Website

Or et Lumière

OR ET LUMIÈRE