Books and Life in Montreal

The rapid evolution of technology has subtly reshaped many aspects of modern life, including our relationship with traditional paper books. Before the digital age, books were central to both culture and personal identity, often depicted in tintype photographs of the 19th century and immortalized in paintings by classical artists. Today, however, their role is often overshadowed by the omnipresence of screens.

As a multidisciplinary artist with a deep affinity for documentary photography, I have long been captivated by the beauty of ordinary moments. In 2019, armed with a Hasselblad medium-format film camera, I embarked on a portraiture project inspired by the quiet intimacy of reading. During the vibrant Sunday Tam-Tams festival in Montreal, I encountered Josephine, a French woman engrossed in a book amidst the lively drumming and noise. Her serene focus stood in stark contrast to the crowd's fixation on their smartphones, a poignant reminder of reading’s unique power to ground us. Studies affirm that reading can reduce stress by 68%, offering solace unmatched by other activities.

 In 2020, as the world grappled with the isolation of the pandemic, the act of reading regained prominence. In Montreal's Parc La Fontaine, I witnessed a resurgence of literary appreciation as people sought refuge in the pages of books. Inspired, I revisited my photography project, capturing the quiet beauty of individuals immersed in literature. Through my lens, I sought to celebrate the timeless allure of books—symbols of escape, imagination, and human connection in an increasingly fragmented world.