2013
While editorial and commercial photographer Laurent Chéhère is known for reportage as well as his award-winning work on campaigns for fashion labels and car companies, his “Flying Houses” series has earned acclaim all over the world.
The Paris-born Chéhère began to create the extensive “Flying Houses” series in 2007 as a result of his interest in architecture, travel, the work of Bruce Davidson and films such as Albert Lamorisse’s The Red Balloon and Hayao Miyazaki’s Howl's Moving Castle (several pieces are named for movies).
The collection of Surrealist images, in which buildings are removed from their backgrounds and then suspended in the sky as if permanently airborne, began with drawings before Chéhère photographed each of the works’ individual components and created montages in Adobe Photoshop.
Chéhère worked in advertising, winning awards for his work with iconic brands such as Audi and Nike. Always fascinated by photography and travel, a shift in interest led him to leave advertising behind to travel around the world. In addition to the fantastical films and other visual works that have captivated him over the years, the inspiration for his popular series is firmly rooted in walks through neighborhoods in Paris — it’s an endeavor to strip buildings of their surroundings and give each structure the chance to have its own individual narrative.
“I tried to highlight buildings to show their hidden beauty,” he told Musée. “I wanted to eliminate their anonymity in the street to help them tell their stories, real or not, funny or sad.”
Each of the poetic and whimsical “Flying Houses” images is a composite that comprises a dozen actual buildings, homes, tents and trailers that Chéhère photographed in similar lighting conditions and completed with computer software.
Chéhère’s “Flying Houses” series debuted at the Exposition Biennale des Créateurs d'Images in Paris in 2012, where he won the event’s Special Award. His work has been featured in many galleries, including the Galerie Paris-Beijing in Paris, the Lumiere Gallery in Moscow and the Muriel Guépin Gallery in New York City.
Find original Laurent Chéhère photography, prints and other art on 1stDibs.
Cinema - Digital contemporary color photograph of parisian flying house
By Laurent Chéhère
Located in New York, NY
From the iconic series of flying houses, Cinema is a digital pale pastel pink color photograph showcasing an old parisian house suspended in the air by ch...
Photographic Paper, Digital Pigment
Couscous - Digital Contemporary Color Photograph of a Parisian Flying House
By Laurent Chéhère
Located in New York, NY
Laurent Chéhere, a French photographer born in 1972 in Paris, makes images of flying houses and other dwellings that are informed by his wanderings in the hidden neighborhoods of Par...
Photographic Paper, Digital
Hotel du Lion d'Or - Digital Contemporary Color Photograph Parisian Flying House
By Laurent Chéhère
Located in New York, NY
Laurent Chéhere, a French photographer born in 1972 in Paris, makes images of flying houses and other dwellings that are informed by his wanderings in the hidden neighborhoods of Par...
Photographic Paper, Digital
Hotel du Lion d'Or - Digital Contemporary Color Photograph Parisian Flying House
By Laurent Chéhère
Located in New York, NY
Laurent Chéhere, a French photographer born in 1972 in Paris, makes images of flying houses and other dwellings that are informed by his wanderings in the hidden neighborhoods of Paris and by his love of cinematic history. Most of his photographs carry references of forgotten stories, Parisian neighborhood and architecture and pay a tribute to classic movies, such as "The Red balloon" or “Who are you Polly Magoo” to name just a few. The charming manipulated images, part digital, part analog depict a dreamlike world where his reconstructed houses appear to float in the sky. They are poetic and whimsical and meant for the viewer to make his very own story. Item description: Laurent Chehere "Hotel du Lion...
Photographic Paper, Digital
Trace au Mur - Digital Contemporary Color Photograph, Parisian Flying House
By Laurent Chéhère
Located in New York, NY
Laurent Chéhere, a French photographer born in 1972 in Paris, makes images of flying houses and other dwellings that are informed by his wanderings in the hidden neighborhoods of Paris and by his love of cinematic history. Most of his photographs carry references of forgotten stories, Parisian neighborhood and architecture and pay a tribute to classic movies, such as "The Red balloon...
Photographic Paper, Digital
Cabaret - Contemporary whimsical digital color photo of a Parisian flying house
By Laurent Chéhère
Located in New York, NY
Laurent Chéhere, a French photographer born in 1972 in Paris, makes images of flying houses and other dwellings that are informed by his wanderings in the hidden neighborhoods of Par...
Photographic Paper, C Print
Paris Photography City and Architectural series - print
By MAE Curates
Located in Los Angeles, CA
We present a new series of art photography featuring another city and its architectural beauty. We work with photographers internationally to curate city landscapes that tells a stor...
C Print
Paris Photography City and Architectural series - print
By MAE Curates
Located in Los Angeles, CA
We present a new series of art photography featuring another city and its architectural beauty. We work with photographers internationally to curate city landscapes that tells a sto...
C Print
Paris Photography "Magical Hour" - City and Architectural series - large print
By MAE Curates
Located in Los Angeles, CA
We present a new series of art photography featuring another city and its architectural beauty. We work with photographers internationally to curate city landscapes that tells a sto...
C Print
paris roof tops 07 – Michael Wolf, City, Colour, Paris, Photography, Abstract
By Michael Wolf
Located in Zurich, CH
Michael WOLF (1954 – 2019, Germany) Paris Rooftops 07, 2014 C–print Sheet 172.7 x 121.9 cm (68 x 48 in.) Edition of 9, plus 2 AP; Ed. no. 2/9 Michael Wolf ...
C Print
paris roof tops 05 – Michael Wolf, City, Colour, Paris, Photography, Abstract
By Michael Wolf
Located in Zurich, CH
Michael WOLF (1954 – 2019, Germany) Paris Rooftops 05, 2014 C–print Sheet Sheet 172.7 x 121.9 cm (68 x 48 in.) Edition of 9, plus 2 AP; Ed. no. 1/9 Michael...
C Print
NOMAD VI, New York - Contemporary architectural color photography
By Richard Heeps
Located in Cambridge, GB
Brand new artwork by Richard Heeps featuring the iconic Empire State building in the mist. Photographed in New York City in 2017, he just executed this in his darkroom, printing it i...
Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Silver Gelatin
