Foule, Ghâts De Bénarès
François
Fontaine
About this photograph :
Foule, Ghâts De Bénarès
The Ganges is one of seven sacred rivers in India. There is no other river on earth subject to such adoration.
Several sacred sites in India are situated along its 3,000 k long river bank. The town of Varanasi, also known as Benares, is one of the seven holy Hindu towns. Situated on the left bank of the Ganges, facing the rising sun, the town is important for pilgrimage dedicated to Shiva. Benares is famous for its ghats (steep steps to the river) which allow the river to be reached to practice ablutions. Visited by hermits and pilgrims for over 3,000 years, the town is dedicated to Shiva.
About the artist :
François
Fontaine
François Fontaine was born in 1968. He lives and works in Paris. As a history of art student at the Sorbonne, he developed a passion for photography. As the son of a naval officer this practice was closely linked to travel. Thereby he went to South-East Asia, Spain, Brazil, China, Japan and India. Each of these destinations was an opportunity to continue his artistic research from an iconographic point of view as well as stylistic. These series were awarded and François Fontaine was a finalist in the Prix Kodak de la Critique Photographique in 1997, the Prix CCF in 2005 and the Leica Oscar Barnack Prize in 2006.
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