Christian Lutz is born in Geneva, in 1973. He graduated from The Ecole Supérieur des Arts et de l’Image “Le75” in Brussels.
His photographic approach is based on a scrupulous and sociologist observation of human groups: politician who have been slammed in the artifice of the protocol or economical elites who invest in developing countries…
Formal qualities of his pictures appeal to us, but at the same time it distils an acid look, which deconstructs the power’s instruments and its machinery. Then, after the political power in Protokoll and the economical power in Tropical Gift, Christian Lutz works on the religious power and chooses to shot an evangelist movement in Switzerland. He will give an end to a trilogy which is fundamentally political and intentionally concerned.
For more than a year the photographer Christian Lutz has been observing Geneva's 'ballet' of international cooperation. Through his eyes, we catch a rare glimpse of the rich diversity of people, meetings and relationships and the myriad of ways they collaborate.
Under-secretaries, interns, ambassadors, meteorologists, nutritionists, physicists... Lutz has observed them all. Using Geneva's inherent diversity of roles, cultures and events as a backdrop, Lutz goes beyond protocol to present us with a unique series of images; strange at times, often amusing, but always visually powerful.
This photographic essay by Christain Lutz captures the closed world of those dealing with oil and gas in Nigeria. His sharp approach conveys malaise born of the consequences that the economic interests in question have on civil societies. The result is a bitter statement laying bare the unequal power relations between the dominators and the dominated, a dark picture of how the overly abundant mineral resources of Africa are being exploited.
During three successive trips to Nigeria in 2009 and 2010, Christian Lutz documented the business of oil and gas among dominants and dominated. On the first hand, he takes pictures of businessmen expatriated from the capital Abudja in their private...
These pictures are part of a story about the ranch of the Davis family: cattle breeders isolated in the Alvord desert (East of Oregon in the United States).
An encounter with Paul: the manager of the property and his steward, the cowboy Mike, their 3500 head of cattle scattered on 160 000 hectares of land; with Tony, the manager's wife and their 5 children. These images were shot during four different trips between August 2006 and June 2008.
Christian Lutz ironically describes in his work the environment in which ministers, politicians and other officials evolve and practice their activities. Lutz enjoys revealing the staging of powers and hierarchies that structure politics.
These images come from a story part of the book “AOC found identity”, published by Editions Infolio. It deals with the AOC cheese from Switzerland. This body of work was done between 2004 and 2005, in collaboration with photographer Hugues de Wurstemberger.
Hugues of Wurstemberger and Christian Lutz toured Switzerland to meet the women and men attached to their land and who work daily to make us appreciate the treasures of their culinary heritage, such as: the Gruyère, the Tête de Moine, the Etivaz, the Vacherin Mont-d'Or, the Alpkäse Berner and many more.
For more than a year the photographer Christian Lutz has been observing Geneva's 'ballet' of international cooperation. Through his eyes, we catch a rare glimpse of the rich diversity of people, meetings and relationships and the myriad of ways they collaborate. Under-secretaries, interns, ambassadors, meteorologists, nutritionists, physicists... Lutz has observed them all. Using Geneva's inherent diversity of roles, cultures and events as a backdrop, Lutz goes beyond protocol to present us with a unique series of images; strange at times, often amusing, but always visually powerful.
This book has been published with the support of the Republic and state of Geneva, via the office of the Delegate for international Geneva. It is the result of a mandate to Christian Lutz to capture one international Geneva event a week between July 2011 and December 2012. photographs have then been published on the State of Geneva's website dedicated to international cooperation.
This work presents a selection of images from this collaboration, most of which have never been shown before. It would not have been possible without the participation of the international institutions that have agreed to open their doors, and we take this opportunity to warmly thank them. Publisher: Notari (2013) 86 pages Size: 34 x 24 x 1 cm ISBN :2940408637
Aux dépens du réel
référant le terme de «monographie» à celui de «rétrospective» et celui de «série» à «chapitre», Christian Lutz perçoit son travail comme un processus, un mouvement, qu’il ponctue dans ce catalogue de commentaires extraits d’un entretien mené par Eva Cousido.
En fin d’ouvrage, Julian Hountou, docteur en histoire de l’art, se penche elle sur le travail de Christian Lutz sous le titre «Du documentaire humaniste à la fictionnalisation du réel».
«Intransigeant et rigoureux, le «regard» documentaire de Christian Lutz livre depuis plus de quinze ans des observations significatives sur la condition humaine. (…) Ses photographies de 1995 à aujourd’hui, sélectionnées pour cet ouvrage, se présentent tel le parcours cohérent d’un auteur documentaire dont la conscience politique ne cesse de s’affûter.
L’itinéraire proposé s’organise en sept séries photographiques agencées de manière à révéler l’évolution de la démarche. Dans les trois premières, relatives à ses séjours dans les contrées balkaniques (1995-2002), au cœur de Bahia (1999-2001) et dans le quotidien d’éleveurs de bétail nord-américains de l’Oregon (2006-2008), les photographies se succèdent dans un flot social empreint de lyrisme, révélant la poésie du quotidien. Les sujets anonymes se muent en protagonistes de l’histoire que chaque image raconte.
Son intérêt pour les particularismes humains l’amène également à s’immiscer dans la communauté mouride sénégalaise (2008-2009) où il explore le pouvoir religieux. Dans le même temps, il se consacre aux codes liés au pouvoir politique dans la série Protokoll (2003-2006) qui traduit son engagement. De retour en Afrique, il se penche sur les conséquences écologiques et sanitaires désastreuses de l’exploitation pétrolière au Nigeria (2009-2010), avant de poursuivre son parcours photographique aux Etats-Unis, à Las Vegas (2011) où il explore cette fois la face cachée de la ville et révèle les stigmates d’une logique économique implacable. En mettant en lumière diverses valeurs dans ses photographies, il questionne notre positionnement. (…) » Text by: Julia Hountou Publisher: Éd. Musée de Bagnes (2012) 208 pages Size: 22x28 cm
Tropical Gift
This photographic essay by Christain Lutz captures the closed world of those dealing with oil and gas in Nigeria. His sharp approach conveys malaise born of the consequences that the economic interests in question have on civil societies.
The result is a bitter statement laying bare the unequal power relations between the dominators and the dominated, a dark picture of how the overly abundant mineral resources of Africa are being exploited. Publisher: Lars Mueller Publishers (2010) 96 pages Size: 30 x 24 cm ISBN :3037782269
Protokoll
The photographs in this book were taken between October 2003 and July 2006, mainly when traveling abroad with varoious delegations of the Swiss Federal Department of Internal Affairs - some fifteen journeys in all.
This work was prompted by ambiguous relationship, part attraction, part repulsion, that i have with authority, power and hierarchical systems... Text by: Christian Lutz Publisher: Lars Müller Publishers (2007) 92 pages Size: 24 x 30 cm ISBN :3037781106
AOC, une identité retrouvée
Didier Schmutz, journaliste et reporter bien connu dans le monde agricole, accompagné de deux photographes, Hugues de Wurstemberger et Christian Lutz, ont sillonné la Suisse à la rencontre de ces femmes et de ces hommes attachés à leur terroir et qui œuvrent au quotidien afin de nous faire partager ces joyaux de notre patrimoine culinaire que sont le Gruyère AOC, la Tête de Moine AOC, L’Etivaz AOC, le Vacherin Mont-d’Or AOC, le Sbrinz AOC, le Berner Alpkäse AOC et le Formaggio d’alpe ticinese AOC. Text by: Didier Schmutz Publisher: Infolio Éditions (2005) 276 pages Size: 28 x 28 cm ISBN :2-88474-009-0
Karpathos
Le travail de Christian Lutz est une tentative de regard sinon neuf au moins différent sur l'île de Karphatos. Text by: Christian Lutz, préface de Aris Georgiou Publisher: Ides et calendes (2000) 96 pages Size: 12 x 17 cm ISBN :2-8258-0161-5
Awards
2012 - Nuit de la Photographie's Award, Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland
2011 - Picture Of the Year: Award of Excellence for "Tropical Gift".
2011 - Sony World Photography Award, Contemporary Issues for "Tropical Gift".
2011 - Swiss Press Photo Award 2011, for the series "Tropical Gift".
2011 - Prix Scam Roger Pic pour "Tropical Gift".
2010 - German Photography Book Prize « Tropical Gift » Lars Müller Publishers
2009 - Vevey International Photo Awards
2009 - Audience Award in Montpellier Boutographies festival, for his work OutWest
2009 - Giovanni Tabò award of FotoLeggendo Festival in Rome, for his work Protokoll
2008 - EWZ.selection-award (best photographic work 2007 in Switzerland) for the "Protokoll" series
2008 - Bourse du Concours Photo08 organisé par le magazine Illustré (Suisse)
2007 - The book « Protokoll » won the German Photography Book Prize
2007 - Nicolas Bouvier Prize (Switzerland)
2007 - Nominé au Prix de la Fondation HSBC pour la photographie (France)
This photographic essay by Christain Lutz captures the closed world of those dealing with oil and gas in Nigeria. His sharp approach conveys malaise born of the consequences that the economic interests in question have on civil societies. The result is a bitter statement laying bare the unequal power relations between the dominators and the dominated, a dark picture of how the overly abundant mineral resources of Africa are being exploited.\r\rDuring three successive trips to Nigeria in 2009 and 2010, Christian Lutz documented the business of oil and gas among dominants and dominated. On the...
This photographic essay by Christain Lutz captures the closed world of those dealing with oil and gas in Nigeria. His sharp approach conveys malaise born of the consequences that the economic interests in question have on civil societies. The result is a bitter statement laying bare the unequal power relations between the dominators and the dominated, a dark picture of how the overly abundant mineral resources of Africa are being exploited.\r\rDuring three successive trips to Nigeria in 2009 and 2010, Christian Lutz documented the business of oil and gas among dominants and dominated. On the...
Protokoll (Mulhouse) From 2012-09-18 to 2012-10-28
Christian Lutz describes ironically the environment in which ministers, politicians and other key officials and their activities, and fun to reveal the stage of power and hierarchies that structure the politics.
Protokoll (Buenos Aires) From 2012-08-03 to 2012-08-26
Christian Lutz describes ironically the environment in which ministers, politicians and other key officials and their activities, and fun to reveal the stage of power and hierarchies that structure the politics.
Tropical Gift (Darmstadt) From 2012-04-20 to 2012-04-22
This photographic essay by Christain Lutz captures the closed world of those dealing with oil and gas in Nigeria. His sharp approach conveys malaise born of the consequences that the economic interests in question have on civil societies. The result is a bitter statement laying bare the unequal power relations between the dominators and the dominated, a dark picture of how the overly abundant mineral resources of Africa are being exploited.\r\rDuring three successive trips to Nigeria in 2009 and 2010, Christian Lutz documented the business of oil and gas among dominants and dominated. On the...
In his series Protokoll, Christian Lutz has chosen to ignore the historic moments in a politician’s career and focus instead on everyday political activity. With a sense of detail tinged with irony, Lutz reveals what happens behind the scenes, explicating the rules and codes of the political world.\rHis pictures are a part of the exhibition « La mise en scène du politique ».
Tropical gift (Londres) From 2011-02-01 to 2011-03-01
This photographic essay by Christain Lutz captures the closed world of those dealing with oil and gas in Nigeria.\rHis sharp approach conveys malaise born of the consequences that the economic interests in question have on civil societies. The result is a bitter statement laying bare the unequal power relations between the dominators and the dominated, a dark picture of how the overly abundant mineral resources of Africa are being exploited.\r\rDuring three successive trips to Nigeria in 2009 and 2010, Christian Lutz documented the business of oil and gas among dominants and dominated. On the...
Tropical Gift (Winterthur) From 2010-10-27 to 2010-12-23
During three trips to Nigeria in 2009 and 2010, Christian Lutz documented the business of gas and oil in the country. On one side, he takes pictures of the expatriate businessmen in the capital Abudja in their private life, at work or during negociations with some Nigerian state employees. On the other side, he studies local pollution in the Niger delta, where the oil lies.
The series "Outwest" has emerged from the encounter between Christian and Lutz family Davis. On behalf of a Swiss film production company he stayed for a visit in the Alvord Desert in Oregon and found interest in the life of the Davis family, which is involved in raising livestock. It is the story of meeting with Paul, the supreme boss of the operation, and his administrator, the Cowboy Mike. It is also the story of their 3500 cattle, which are spread over an area of 160,000 hectares, and the story of Tony, the wife of the chief, and their five children. \r« In this work, I focus on the scale...
During three trips to Nigeria in 2009 and 2010, Christian Lutz documented the business of gas and oil in the country.
On one side, he takes pictures of the expatriate businessmen in the capital Abudja in their private life, at work or during negociations with members of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. On the other side, he studies local pollution in the Niger delta, where the oil lies.
Christian Lutz describes ironically describes the environment in which ministers, politicians and other key officials and their activities, and fun to reveal the stage of power and hierarchies that structure the politics.
In his work "Protokoll," Christian Lutz describes with irony the environment in which ministers, politicians and other high officials exercise their activities, and fun to unveil the latest stage of power and hierarchies that structure the political . The protocol, if we wanted to paraphrase Henri Bergson, is the mechanical encrusted on the policy. A mechanical always well oiled, the chance is never appropriate in these ceremonials, all makes sense, and everything must be thought, anticipated. The ceremony starched expresses the importance of the issues, the dramatization of the action...
The series "outw" has emerged from the encounter between Christian and Lutz family Davis. On behalf of a Swiss film production company he stayed for a visit in the Alvord Desert in Oregon and found interest in the life of the Davis family, which is involved in raising livestock. It is the story of meeting with Paul, the supreme boss of the operation, and his administrator, the Cowboy Mike. It is also the story of their 3500 cattle, which are spread over an area of 160,000 hectares, and the story of Tony, the wife of the chief, and their five children. The photographer sat down for two years...
Outwest (Montpellier) From 2009-06-06 to 2009-06-21
Christian Lutz shows in his photo story »Out West« the life of cattle-breeders and cowboys in Oregon/USA. The state is in the West of the USA and almost three times bigger than Austria. Agricultural goods make up the biggest part of the state’s economic goods. The story focuses on the relation between man and nature. For his series the photographer accompanied ranchers, cattle-breeders and cowboys.
Protokoll (Charleroi) From 2009-05-30 to 2009-09-13
In his work ‘Protokoll’ Christian Lutz invites himself in the circles of political power. He is interested in the display of authority, the hierarchy of the relationships and the various protocols to which the Ministers and their delegations are subjected. Christian Lutz describes with irony the particular environment in which political men and women, important statesmen and bureaucrats move and work. He takes us with him into the backstage of places of power and reveals the hierarchies that structure the political apparatus.
In his work 'Protokoll' Christian Lutz invites himself in the circles of political power. He is interested in the display of authority, the hierarchy of the relationships and the various protocols to which the Ministers and their delegations are subjected. Christian Lutz describes with irony the particular environment in which political men and women, important statesmen and bureaucrats move and work. He takes us with him into the backstage of places of power and reveals the hierarchies that structure the political apparatus.
In his work 'Protokoll' Christian Lutz invites himself in the circles of political power. He is interested in the display of authority, the hierarchy of the relationships and the various protocols to which the Ministers and their delegations are subjected. Christian Lutz describes with irony the particular environment in which political men and women, important statesmen and bureaucrats move and work. He takes us with him into the backstage of places of power and reveals the hierarchies that structure the political apparatus.
Christian Lutz shows in his photo story »Out West« the life of cattle-breeders and cowboys in Oregon/USA. The state is in the West of the USA and almost three times bigger than Austria. Agricultural goods make up the biggest part of the state’s economic goods. The story focuses on the relation between man and nature. For his series the photographer accompanied ranchers, cattle-breeders and cowboys.
agencevu.com website is the exclusive property of Agence VU company. Its contents, works, pictures and texts are protected by laws and international conventions on copyright.
Every representation or reproduction, which infringes legislative clauses on intellectual property is illicit and could constitute an infringement.
Search 
La boutique VU 
Press releases 
About VU'
Contact us 
Français
See the photographer's map...
