In the spring of 2024, Thomas Mailaender and the students of the ECAL Bachelor in Photography entered the ruins of the club with the intention of making it resonate once again. Between archaeology, documentary research, and imaginative speculations, the group of adventurers crafted a surprising exhibition path blending mold and glitter, ashes and glamour. For one night, the Corso was filled with explosive sounds and images in a fiery tribute to the nights of Renens.
Studio project (2024) by Adel Debabéche, Belinda Kiela, Cedric Zellweger, Delio Testa, Eliot Pizzera, Emanuele Delpozzo, Ettore Bruni, Fredrik Maag, Gabrielle Coué, Héloïse Tourrenc, Inès Riber, Jerome Luginbühl, Kristina Yenza, Lester Kielstein, Maude Bally, Nicolas Lehni, Maël Le Guével, Rebecca Dubuis, Sofia Grytsiv
1/5
1/5
1/4
Le cinéma Corso ouvre ses portes en 1949, à la suite de l'achat et de la transformation de l'ancien cinéma du Grand Hôtel. Son activité s'inscrit dans la continuité des projections cinématographiques organisées par l'établissement hôtelier inauguré en 1906, dans l'effervescence immobilière de la ville nouvelle se développant aux abords de la gare de Renens. En 1979, une discothèque est aménagée au sous-sol, mais en 1992, une explosion met fin à son activité. Le bâtiment est démoli en 1999. Sous la place aménagée ensuite, les débris reposent encore. Le silence, l'obscurité et l'humidité ont pris possession des lieux.
- Christian Schülé
1/7
Event
BA PHOTOGRAPHY
with Natacha Lesueur
Documentary, the power of make-believe Based on projects developed around a common theme, the students develop a personal, in-depth project around the theme of pretense. They build a project that plays with the limits of veracity in photography, using it as an artifice of deception.
BA PHOTOGRAPHY
with Natacha Lesueur
Off-camera By exploring what lies outside the frame, students develop a sensitive and reflective approach to audiovisual creation. Throughout the semester, students are encouraged to reflect on the political and formal issues surrounding the moving image, as well as the relationship between the visible and the invisible.
BA PHOTOGRAPHY
with Charlotte Krieger
Unseen This course introduces students to the creation of a seven-image series built around the theme Unseen. They will learn to combine set design, characters, and lighting to produce strong, coherent staged images. Through a practical and technical approach, the course develops their ability to conceive and manage a complete photographic project, direct models, work with natural and artificial light, and collaborate under conditions similar to professional editorial or commercial shoots. Students will refine their photographic vision while preparing for the creative and technical demands of the industry.
BA PHOTOGRAPHY
with Rineke Dijkstra
What is good portrait? What technique do you choose? What kind of light do you use? Daylight or flash? What location or backdrop do you choose for? How do you choose your subject? How do you approach someone you don’t know? In this workshop, the students have explored what makes a good portrait and which tools you can use to create one.
BA PHOTOGRAPHY
with Laurence Bonvin
Take risks, experiment, and try out new approaches or techniques in relation to a current or past project, or their future graduation project. Encourage them to take a project or idea further by experimenting with methodology, technique, and production methods, rather than relying on familiar processes, solutions, know-how, or tried-and-true formulas.