Éric Bourret: Walking as Method

Éric Bourret was born in Paris in 1964. He now lives and works between the South of France and the Himalayas.

Since the early 1990s, he has built his work around a simple idea: walking. He does not treat walking as travel or leisure. Instead, he uses it as a working method. Bourret belongs to a line of artists linked to Land Art and survey photography. However, Éric Bourret does not shape the landscape or document it in a neutral way. He moves through it on foot, often for long periods. His walks can last from a few days to several months. During that time, he observes, measures, and records what he sees.

Walking and Perception

First, the act of walking changes how he sees. Long distances and physical effort affect the body. As a result, perception shifts. The landscape no longer appears stable or fixed. Instead, Éric Bourret finds it becomes something that changes with time, light, and movement.

Bourret describes his photographs as “experiences of walking” and “experiences of the visible.” This means the image does not only show a place. It also reflects the time spent moving through it. The work connects physical effort with visual result, a hallmark in Éric Bourret’s artistic exploration.

The Photographic Process

During each walk, Bourret follows a strict method. He takes multiple photographs of the same landscape at regular intervals. Then, Éric Bourret superimposes these images onto a single negative. This process creates one final photograph made from several moments.

Because of this technique, the image does not represent a single point in time. Instead, it shows a sequence. Small changes in light, position, or atmosphere accumulate. As a result, the final image looks unstable, almost in motion, reflecting the essence of Éric Bourret’s unique approach.

At the same time, chance plays an important role. Weather, terrain, and unexpected events affect the outcome. Bourret accepts these elements rather than controlling them. Therefore, each image carries both structure and unpredictability, which is central to Éric Bourret’s artistic philosophy.

Time and Landscape

This method allows Bourret to deal with time in a specific way. On one hand, the landscape changes slowly, through geological processes that are usually invisible. On the other hand, human presence is brief and temporary. Éric Bourret uses his method to highlight these contrasts.

By layering images, he compresses these different timescales. The result is what he calls a form of “temporal stratification.” The photograph gathers multiple moments into one surface. It shows movement that the eye normally cannot detect. Because of this, his images often appear blurred, vibrating, or slightly unstable. They do not aim for clarity. Instead, Éric Bourret’s work shows how perception shifts over time.

A Personal Record

Bourret treats his work like a walking log. Many of his series include factual details such as date, location, distance, and duration. These elements structure the work and give it a rhythm. At the same time, the images remain subjective. He has said that the landscapes he crosses also “cross” him. This idea suggests that the environment shapes the person as much as the person observes the environment. Therefore, Éric Bourret’s photographs function as both records and personal notes. They document a place, but they also reflect a state of mind and body.

Exhibitions and Recognition

Since 1990, Bourret has shown his work in many institutions across Europe, North and South America, and Africa. His photographs are part of collections such as the Maison Européenne de la Photographie, the Musée Picasso, and the Finnish Museum of Photography, highlighting Éric Bourret’s influence as an artist.

More recently, he has taken part in major exhibitions, including the Venice Biennale, as well as shows in China, the United States, and France. These exhibitions confirm the relevance of his work within contemporary photography. Éric Bourret builds his work through movement, time, and repetition. He does not aim to capture a perfect image of a landscape. Instead, he records the experience of moving through it.

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Read more about the artist here.