By Xu Aiying, Cho A-la and Yoon Sojung
Seoul | Sept. 11, 2017

Noryangjin Station, the Sangam World Cup Stadium and the Mecenapolis shopping complex.
These are all some of the ordinary locations that local Seoulites may ignore as they go through their daily routines, but for Benjamin Petit, they all are unmissable items for his works of art.

His work titled “Umbrella Mania” that portrays the central plaza at the Mecenapolis shopping complex in Mapo-gu District, Seoul, shows it covered with 1,000 colorful umbrellas. On Aug. 25 it won the "non-Korean category" of the 45th Korea Tourism Photo Contest out of 100 other entries.

Majoring in economics at the University Paris-Est Créteil (UPEC), also called Université Paris 1, Petit gave up his studies, as he thought they weren't right for him. In 2007, he traveled to the U.S. with one of his friends who happened to be a photographer, and there he fell in love with photography.

While traveling, he saw his travel partner take many photos. Petit learned how to use a DSLR after it was recommended to him. He studied on his own how to take photos.

In 2009, he came to Korea for the first time and stayed here for one month. In 2015, he came back to Korea and studied at Kyung Hee University as an exchange student and later at the Literature Translation Institute of Korea, all while capturing various scenes of Korean life with his camera lens.

“In Korea, people take photos mostly of scenery, the arts or architecture, but instead of delivering a philosophical or abstract message, I hope to just send a simple message that says, ‘This is what you can see when you come to Korea,’” said Petit.

Korea.net met with Petit on Sept. 11 at the National Museum of Korea in Seoul, and he was also ready with his camera.



- What is Korea like as seen through your camera?

Everything goes fast in this country, and they have really fancy nights. Koreans are very interesting people. It's good to see them caring and protecting their own traditions. Personally, I would like to recommend to people who haven't come to this country to come to Korea.

- What photogenic spots would you like to recommend for non-Koreans, in Seoul and in other areas?

Seoul is a unique place where historical and modern features are combined. The French are very interested in the arts and history, so I would like to recommend Gyeongbokgung Palace and the backyard garden of Changdeokgung Palace.

These palaces are particularly beautiful during the night.

For those who enjoy traveling alone, I would recommend the temples deep in the mountains. Last year, I went to Mangwolsa Temple on the slopes of Bukhansan Mountain with my friend. It was really great, as there were no tourists and I was able to see how monks lived quietly and peacefully.

- What features of Korea do you wish to capture with your camera?

On Sept. 30, I plan to go to the fireworks festival that will take place along the Hangang River. I also love to take photos of autumn foliage. I've not visited Haeinsa Temple in Gyeongsangnam-do Province yet, so this fall I hope to go there with my camera.

Personally, I'm interested in temples because they're something I can't see in France. When architectural works, like a pavilion, are featured in the viewfinder, it creates a peaceful air and I love it.





xuaiy@korea.kr