So Much Beauty… The Recycled Cyanotypes of Denis Roussel

I first became aware of Denis Roussel’s work from his two portfolios (lumen prints and tintypes) of items culled from his compost bin. His subtle eye and willingness to engage the everyday intrigued me. With his latest portfolio, he’s still focused on the neglected and discarded, but has turned his attention to the recycling bin. He skillfully uses discarded bottles and containers as the subject matter for a series of photograms printed on (discarded and flattened) boxes and containers. His statement follows the images.

Roussel will be exhibiting this work at the Colorado Photographic Arts Center from July 10 – August 16. The exhibition features Roussel along with two terrific previous F295 speakers David Emitt Adams (F295, 2012) and Binh Danh (F295, 2014). The opening reception is July 10 from 7-8:30pm.

Soda Bottles, 2014

Egg Container, 2014

Raspberry Container, 2014

Straw and Top, 2014

Two Berry Containers, 2014

Crushed Bottle, 2014

Juice Bottle, 2014

So much beauty… A statement by Denis Roussel


Like many, I am concerned with our deteriorating environment. All things are connected and specific environmental issues are difficult to solve in isolation. These photographs emphasize the beauty of mundane everyday waste. The seek to offer a counterpoint to the complexity of the environmental problems that needs to be faced. Through this work I look to highlight a simple personal action, that is a small piece in a larger environmental and climate solution.

To create the images I collected items from my recycling bin and arranged them in simple compositions. These remnants of our everyday activities become their own unique photographic subjects; mundane waste is transformed into extraordinary imagery. Recycled items are resurrected into usable objects.

This series of images was produced using the cyanotype process. I chose this technique primarily because it produces unique pieces that I choose not to reproduce. This allows me to clearly proclaim the importance and showcase the intrinsic value of my subjects. I also wanted the objects to be both subjects and the vehicles for the photographic process. The cyanotype process allowed me to turn recycled food containers into a photo-sensitive material. The recorded images are created by the shadows cast by recycled containers.

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