The feet within the water, a film before the eyes

Les pieds dans l'eau, the feet in the water – that must have been what French director Jean Painlevé (1902-1989) had in mind on a regular basis. The underwater world of animals fascinated him in particular. Crabs, shrimps, starfish, sea urchins – all the mollusks and crustaceans that you can just about reach as a land creature, he preferred to lure in front of his lens. Their habitat takes place in a border area between land and water, surrendering to the tides. Painlevé trained his eye for over 50 years on details such as the movements and developments of aquatic creatures. He produced around 200 short films during this time, many of them together with partner and colleague Geneviève Hamon (1905-1987).

Starting October 29, the Fotomuseum Winterthur in Switzerland now offers a glimpse into the »whimsical world of underwater creatures and their alien bodies.« The exhibition Jean Painlevé - Les pieds dans l'eau awaits with numerous black-and-white and color films, photographs and documents that bear witness to Pailevé's uncannily meticulous, experimental and devoted work. Underwater fans have until February 12 to visit.