Vertigo
"Built in 1922, this Parisian artist's studio still exists but its roof was truncated by the following owners. I reconstructed the missing part and then give it eyes by adding two round windows, inspired by the villa in the film Mon Oncle by Jacques Tati. I imagined a new life by transforming it into a post-war public swimming pool-bath where a light, carefree atmosphere would now reign, filled with splashes and children's cries. There are cabins on the roof, a lifeguard on her high chair, an old dinosaur to decorate the bar, pink flamingos, a landing strip for a zeppelin, an aquarium frequented by a whale and a deep-sea diver from Stanley Kubrick's film 2001 A Space Odyssey. Divers take off from this dizzying diving board. Yet a man attracts the attention of the bathers. Everyone looks at him except a woman played by actress Monica Vitti. A closer look, this place seems to hide some unclear stories." - Laurent Chéhère
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Laurent Chéhère’s (b. 1972) Flying Houses series is a highly sought-after body of contemporary surreal photography, featuring limited edition photomontage prints that transform Parisian architecture into poetic, gravity-defying artworks.
Blending technical precision with imaginative storytelling, Chéhère constructs each composition from hundreds of individual photographs. Influenced by visionary figures such as Jules Verne, Hayao Miyazaki, Moebius, and Robert Doisneau, his work evokes themes of nostalgia, escapism, and freedom. The result is a distinctive style of surreal photomontage that appeals to both seasoned art collectors and new buyers seeking unique, statement-making pieces.
Rooted in the diverse neighbourhoods of Paris, the Flying Houses series isolates familiar buildings and suspends them mid-air, liberating them from their urban context. These floating structures become narrative objects, rich in detail, texture, and subtle traces of everyday life. Each artwork invites closer inspection, revealing hidden elements that reward long-term engagement and deepen its emotional and visual impact.
Internationally exhibited, Chéhère’s work has been presented at leading art fairs including Photo Basel, Paris Photo, and Art Toronto, and is held in major public and private collections such as the Tokyo Institute of Photography and the Hudson River Museum. His work has also been featured in prominent publications including Time, The Guardian, Vogue, and Vanity Fair, reinforcing his position in the global contemporary art market..
Works by the artist are archival inkjet prints on Hahnemühle Paper and framed in black, finished with UltraVue 70 anti-reflective glazing. The 63 x 63 inch edition (if available) is finished with oversized plexiglass.
