Le Mois de la Photo à Montréal

PAUL WOMBELL

Drones extend the capabilities of the body in the act of looking. The eye has a fixed position on the human body, has limited vision over long distances, and does not work well in reduced lighting conditions. Drones can travel to difficult and remote locations, they can see at all times even in limited light. They can be controlled remotely and be operated from a distance; they can function automatically, have artificial sensing, and also convey a sense that they have an intent or agency of their own. Drones are the robots of seeing. Over the last 40 years the camera has taken on some of the same characteristics of the drone, even to the extent that the camera now has a life of its own and functions more like a computer. There is no need to look through the viewfinder because all the calculations for exposure and focus are automatically completed. You can set the camera to take photographs without the need to be behind it. With motion detectors, remote controls, CCTV, webcams, Google Street View, and the development of robotics, the camera can function without human involvement.

Drone: The Automated Image is a project charting the changing relationship between the camera and the human body. It looks at how photographers and artists are using the automatic devices of the camera in its many different forms in the production of their work.

For its 13th edition, Le Mois de la Photo à Montréal has invited renowned British curator Paul Wombell to develop an exhibition program around his theme, Drone: The Automated Image. From September 5 to October 19, 2013, more than 25 exhibitions deployed in different sites will transform the city into a vast yet coherent photography exhibition.