ALONG THE ROAD

ALONG THE ROAD

CREDITS

GUP Author

GUP TEAM

Artist

Laurent Cipriani

Following the Tour de France on the back of a motorcycle, Laurent Cipriani (1980) turns his attention to its spectators. Their role is reversed; bystanders briefly become the attraction of the event. Over the last three years the eclectic mix of individuals by the roadside has captured the attention of Cipriani, as he shares a rarely seen point of view of the Tour.

Individuals assemble in front of their houses, balancing on the side of country roads outside of their villages, appearing isolated from the travelling theatre that passes them by. Whilst some stare vacantly, distracted by the cyclists, the glances of others connect with the camera in fleeting moments, as they become suspended from their environment. The idiosyncrasies of the country and the diversity of the identities that congregate in images provide more insight into the country than it does the event. Cipriani explains: “This work is not about the Tour de France, cycling, or fans: the purpose of this series consists in getting a quirky portrait of France that convey a particular point of time.”