The Digital Fresco consists of two joining image compositions: the initial image in landscape format and another in portrait format. The construction of the initial image connects the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end. The second composition forms a ring closing, evoking the symbolism of the circle – idea of unity and continuity, without beginning or end.

Whichever the composition, the constructions are an amalgam of architectural photographs and mineral structures, counterbalanced by an aquatic element that unites these arrangements. These architectural parts form an inverted omega for one and a ring for the other. It depicts an inconsistent world, an anarchic nonfunctional labyrinth. These compositions are made up solely of Parisian buildings with one exception in the landscape version: at its extremities, Bordeaux constructions are perceptible in order to establish a bridge with my previous work "La Fin de leur Monde" & my city of residence & attachment.

Water and waves endanger the architectural parts, with threatening presence, infiltrating from all sides. The waves form an alpha, akin to destructive water which, by shaving everything in its path, becomes a regenerator and a glimpse of a new beginning.

As for the background, it reveals a twilight sky, suggesting the end of an era. The architectural part of the images, totally mineral without the slightest trace of life (neither fauna nor flora), represents an abandoned, deserted, arid world, but in spite of this, the world appears to be extremely organic and aesthetic.

If the initial landscape composition presents a world at its twilight on the verge of being engulfed, the idea is reinforced by the circular omega composition suggesting a disastrous future. Yet the emergence of the destructive water announces the possibility of a reconstruction, an evolution, and a probable future. The symbolism of the circle reinforces the idea of evolution without beginning or end, referring to the notion of continuous flow.

This work is above all a tribute to Paris and particularly to its historical past. In addition to the analogies suggested by the shapes of the compositions and their symbolism, the source of the original photographs is important. All architectural elements come from the historical center of Paris, deliberately restricted to highlight the past richness of the city. This work is designed to be autonomous but responds to the work Mo’Orea. I have established links between two antagonistic images: the twilight sky comes from Polynesia and the waves that are identical to those of the Mo’Orea fresco from my home region. The architectural part refers to the History of Arts in the visible elements (sculptures of the square of Orsay, Façades of the Louvre, church of the Madeleine, etc) or in their surrealist, impossible arrangement.

Format: PNG Size: 11811 x 5929 px at 300 ppi

Unlockable content: Monumental 0.5 GB version, with detailed pixel dimensions of 30000 x 15060 at 762 ppi, printed size of 5 meters x 2.5 meters (16.5 feet x 8.2 feet) at 150 dpi or 2.5 meters x 1.25 meters (8.25 feet x 4.1 feet) at 300 dpi.

More information: messac-thibault.com.