French conceptual artist Philippe Ramette creates gravity-defying portraits that appear to be digitally manipulated but in actuality, are elaborate set-ups using cleverly designed weight-bearing structures (or lead weights for the underwater shots). These allow him to stand/sit at seemingly impossible angles, hidden by his clothes or the angle in which the shot is taken. His work has comparisons to Chinese artist Li Wei.

As a sculptor, Ramette rose to fame in the 90s as par of the French contemporary art scene. He eventually evolved his work into photography, where his work stands as a statement about gravity, weightlessness and our relationship to the landscape. Ramette craves an effect of absolute, implausible serenity in his shots; there is a deliberate and noticeable calmness to his work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sources

– Philippe Ramette: Galerie Xippas
– The Guardian: Artist Philippe Ramette – An upside down world
– Spotted on Fubiz and Petapixel