Charles Fréger

CHARLES FRÉGER (Bourges, France, 1975)
"Legionnaires, 2000-2001.
Portfolio II. "Portraits photographiques et uniformes".
Folder with 12 photographs.
Copy 2/5.
Signed and numbered by the artist.
Measurements: 42 x 33 x 6,5 cm (folder); 50,7 x 24 cm (photos).

Charles Fréger is known for his series of photographic portraits of people in uniform (national guards, legionnaires, sumos, skaters, majorettes ...), which play on the relationship between the signs of belonging to a group and the individuality of In the case of the "Legionnaires", Fréger had the idea of photographing all types of uniform existing in the French Foreign Legion. It consists of three series. The first is that of the volunteers; the second is that of the Pioneer Corps, also known as Sappers; the third set is that of the uniforms. The photos of the volunteers are half-length and the subjects are bare-chested. The idea was to evoke the special place that the volunteers occupy. They are not yet legionnaires and have to undergo intensive training, often stripped to the waist. The nudity expresses the relationship of power exercised by the Legion's constituent body over the body of the enlisted volunteer who finds himself alone, stripped of his old identity and yet to receive a new one. The Pioneers wear rows of medals on their leather sapper aprons as proof of their pedigree. The photographer chose the most functional uniforms: bomb disposal expert, tank driver with infrared visor and paratrooper with signaling tool. The uniforms reflect the spirit of the Legion, which insists on the absolute primacy of the group over the individual, to whom it gradually aligns itself.

Charles Fréger's photography is characterized by its anthropological and sociological approach. He is particularly interested in the way groups use uniforms, costumes and traditional dress to express identity and cohesion. Fréger began his career focusing on portraits of athletes, soldiers and students, exploring the idea of uniformity and individuality within these groups. Other series: "Wilder Mann" (2010-2011): This series explores European pagan rituals and the costumes associated with them. Fréger traveled through 19 countries, photographing participants dressed as "wild men," a figure present in many European folk traditions. "Yokainoshima" (2013-2015): focuses on traditional costumes and masks used in Japanese rituals and festivals. The series highlights the connection between these costumes and the cultural heritage they represent. "Empire" (2010-2012): A series of portraits of young men at military academies in Europe and the United States, examining the visual codes and traditions of these institutions.

Fréger's work has been exhibited in numerous galleries and museums around the world, including the Maison Européenne de la Photographie in Paris, the Yokohama Museum of Art in Japan, and the Musée de l'Elysée in Lausanne, Switzerland. He has published several photography books compiling his various series, such as "Wilder Mann", "Yokainoshima" and "Bleus de travail".