Independent photographer Oriane Zerah has had an inexplicable fascination with hair. Strange as it may seem, she has been so drawn to long flowing tresses, including her own, that she is presenting an exhibition titled, Something About Hair, that succinctly portrays her through process. ‘‘When I first came to India in 2001, I was so fascinated to see women with long hair but also realised it wasn’t considered a positive sign. I noticed this not only in India but in many other countries that I have travelled to. Two years ago, I decided to reflect on this issue through an exhibition and decided to photograph Indian women with long hair depicting different forms of emotions,’’ says Oriane. She finalised five woman from different parts of the country to be her subjects. “These woman were from Cochin, Jodhpur, Odisha and Jaipur. I also found great relevance of hair in Hindu mythology and admired how beautifully Lord Shiva trapped the Ganges in his hair and how Goddess Kali with her open hair was considered a strong avatar,” she adds.
Born in Paris, where Oriane followed dramatic art studies and dance, she has also worked with comedian Jean-Pierre Leaud, followed by working with a Franco-Polish group before joining Theatre du Soleil. It is since then that she spends her time between India, the neighbouring countries and France. Photography, according to her, has revealed itself and then imposed itself on her through her journey. She has been networking, meeting people, seeing the guidance of experts and spending time with fellow photographers to hone her skills in Paris, Delhi, Lahore and Kabul. She confesses to be a nomad that allows her to explore, feel, and understand what happens in the world—things that bring her close to unconventional subjects, just like this one.
Date: June 6 to 20
Time: 11 am to 7 pm
Venue: Alliance Française, Gurgaon Centre, S-24/8, DLF Phase III