[Bernard Faucon's website]
SEOUL -- Bernard Faucon, a French photographer and writer known for photographs of posed mannequins, expressed feelings of honor to find "common inspiration" between his work and some images used by K-pop band BTS for its 2016 album, saying he treats it as a tribute, certainly not as plagiarism or copyright infringement.
In a letter released through his agency, the 68-year-old said he loves BTS and feels honored to know that 40 years later, his photographs still inspire young artists of today. "As I have always said, I consider this probable inspiration from my work as a tribute, and certainly not as plagiarism or copyright infringement."
Faucon first established a career in art photography, and his photographic work expresses a love of youth and dreamy beauty, using saturated color, natural settings, rooms, and often tableaux of mannequins. He has won numerous awards from his work.
In his autographed letter dated April 18, the Frenchman claimed he immediately felt "a common inspiration" with his 1978 series "Summer Camp" when he belatedly discovered BTS' 2016 album "The Most Beautiful Moment of Life: Young Forever".
He said his photographs using mannequins have inspired stage directors, designers, writers and other artists all around the world. "Inspiration and interpretation have always been at the center of creation and art. I suppose that inspiring various domains of art and culture is inherent to every profound and sensitive artwork."
When Faucon mentioned similarities between his work and images used by BTS in February, the group's agency, Bit Hit Entertainment, said no such claim can be established.
reporter
Lim Chang-won
cwlim34@ajunews.com
