Charles XELOT














There is gas under the tundra is long term project of massive scale. During three polar winters Charles Xelot explored the Arctic industry of gas production in the Yamal Peninsula, Russia. This photographic series illustrate the humanity’s appetite for energy and the realities of its gargantuan production. The naked tundra, which was once traversed by herds of reindeer and their herders, the Nenets, is now filled with pipes and flares. Tankers and ice-breakers navigate along the coast illuminating the night.
Biography
Born in 1985. Charles Xelot works and lives between Paris and Saint-Petersburg.
Charles Xelot is a photographer specialized in Russia. Exploring the limit between art and documentary, he devoted himself for many years to the deepening of a subject. His favorite themes are related to social and environmental changes. His work is not time sensitive. Specialized in the creation of exclusive art book he collaborated with different foundations like the Neva Foundation in Geneva or the Timchenko Foundation in Moscow. He has published in few magazines like the British Journal of Photography, Figaro Magazine or Greenpeace magazine.
His photographs have been exhibited in museums like the Borusan Contemporary museum in Istanbul or the MMOMA in Moscow and is part of different important collections. He has published five books.
2008 Engineer diploma – ENSIL (École Supérieure d’Ingénieur de Limoges)
2009 School of photography “Image Ouverte”
2010-2015 Assistance and collaboration with Ahmet Ertug.
Independent photographer since 2010.
2019
– “Sabetta”, MOMMA, Moscow Museum of Modern Art, Russia
2016
– “The Holy Abodes of the Russian Soul”, Winzavod Art Center, Moscow, Russia
– “Tykkylumi”, Gallery of the Atelier 55, Megève, France
2015
2014
– “Etats de mer”, 6 j’avais su, Marseille, France
2014
– “Russian Forest”, Gallery Cimaise, Geneva, Switzerland
2011
– “Forest”, Gallery Le Village, Geneva, Switzerland
2019
2018
– Discovery Award, Encontros da Imagen, Braga, Portugal
– “Summer Selection”, Neil Folberg Vision Gallery, Jerusalem, Israel
– Projection at Voix Off Festival, Arles, France
– “Je n’attendrai pas que l’on me pardonne”, Space For Photography Gallery, Arles, France
– Projection at MOPLA, Los Angeles, United States
– Arte Laguna, Venezia, Italy
2017
– ISRAEL Photo festival, Tel Aviv, Israel
– “Monastery of Russia”, Tverskaya Boulevard, Moscow, Russia
– “Gas Arctique”, Galerie de l’Atelier 55, Megève, France
– “Arctic” Kremlin concert hall
2014
– Photography, Gallery of the Atelier 55, Megève, France
2013
– Photographic Installation, Orangerie de Vandoeuvres, Geneva, France
2012
– Museum of the Borusan collection, Istanbul, Turkey
2019
– British journal of Photography, January 2019
– Greenpeace Magazine, February 2019
– Domus Magazine, March 2019
– National geographic web, March 2019
– Wired web, March 2019
2018
– FotoMagazin XXL, September 2018, Germany
– Catalogue Arte Laguna Venezia
– Xleb Magazine, Russia
2014
– Russian Monasteries, le Figaro Magazine, 11-2014, text by J.C Buisson
2013
– Catalogue of the Borusan art collection, text by Lindsay Ganter
2012
2019
– Finalist Albert Kahn award
2018
– Finalist Albert-Kahn award
– AFAR photography award
– Best emerging photographer by Lensculture
– Discovery award, Encontros da Imagem
– Winner editorial photography, TIFA
2017
– Winner editorial photography, MIFA
– Winner category environment editorial, IPA
– Shortlisted, Metier Award, Tel Aviv
- “Terminal” Book of photographs on the construction of the biggest oil terminal of Europe, in Russia.
- This fine art book including a great design work (cover in aluminium, 7 colors printing on a creation paper…) was given during the opening ceremony of the terminal. (Limited Edition)
- “The Holy Abode of the Russian soul”, 120 photographs of 21 Russian monasteries in a luxurious and limited edition. Project done with the support of the Neva fund and published by the Cherche Midi in November 2014. The book won the price in the category “Beaux-livres” at “la nuit du livre 2015” in Paris.
- “Valaam”, photographs, conception and edition of a luxurious large format book (35x40cm), limited edition of 200. Book done to celebrate the 25 years of the re-opening of the Valaam monastery in Russia
- “Forest” September 2017 at the Editions Phinera. Art book showcasing the “forest” work.
- “Resurrection”, October 2017 at the « éditions du Cerf, Paris ». Photo book about the resurrection of the Russian Orthodox Church.



