Sophie Calle - À l'affût
€52.00
Pickup available at Librairie Yvon Lambert
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Except for made-to-order items (e.g., photo prints, T-shirts)
The project was initiated by an invitation from the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature (Museum of Hunting and Nature) in Paris in 2017 for the exhibition Beau doublé Monsieur le Marquis! Faced with a world that was then foreign to her, Sophie Calle sought another way to approach the subject of hunting. Since she did not identify with either the pursuit of animals or hunting narratives, she turned her attention to other forms of pursuit. Through a chain of associations, the concept of the “hunt for love” emerged—one that has been expressed for over a century in the columns of newspapers through matrimonial ads.
This anonymous material echoes several themes that run through her work: investigation first, observation second, and above all, cataloging—a form she is particularly fond of. Behind the accumulation of these thousands of ads, a map of expectations, projections, and loneliness gradually takes shape. While in the 1900s marriage appeared to be an economic arrangement, over time issues of gender equality, women’s financial independence, and moral commitment have shifted, revealing by implication the social, ethical, and emotional changes that have evolved over the past century.
The title, On the Hunt, introduces another dimension: that of watching, waiting, and surveillance. Each decade—featuring about fifteen ads, men and women carefully selected by the artist—is accompanied by an image slipped into a glassine envelope, with a Japanese-style binding. Printed on both sides, each image shows, on one side, an animal captured by an infrared camera with an automatic shutter (Sophie Calle obtained these surveillance images through a study of various hunting associations conducted on wildlife near French highways), and on the other side, a hunter’s mirador. Reading the book is an active process: as the reader goes through the 24 small envelopes, the artist leaves it up to them to choose which side of the image—front or back—they prefer to view. As they flip through the pages, they thus outline their own search for a romantic partner. This format extends the role-playing suggested by the title: being the hunter or the prey, the observer or the observed.
Conceived as a book à tiroirs, On the Hunt continues the exploration Sophie Calle has been conducting for many years on power, trust, doubt, and intimacy in the realm of romance. The book also reveals the evolution of our behaviors, our perceptions of desire, our understanding of gender, and the shifts in our emotional dependencies over the past century.
French version
2026
24.6 x 19 cm
112 pages
26 unbound images printed on both sides presenting 52 colour photographs
Harcover with lenticular image
Japanese-style binding with glassine envelopes
ISBN: 978-2-35511-470-7
© Atelier EXB
Please note that colors may slightly differ between the screen and the actual product.
Shipping & Fulfillment
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- Made-to-Order Items (Photo prints & T-Shirts)
Our photo prints and t-shirts are produced on-demand. Please allow 2-3 weeks for production before these items are shipped. - In-Stock Items (All Other Products)
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- Packaging
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Important Note on Combined Orders:
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We ship worldwide from Paris via La Poste (France's national postal service), using their Colissimo, Priority Mail services with the exception of certain products shipped via UPS. Shipping costs are automatically calculated at checkout based on the weight, volume, and destination of your package. If you require a different carrier (e.g., UPS, FedEx, DHL), please contact us before placing your order to arrange it. - Estimated Transit Times
Once your order has shipped, the estimated delivery times are as follows:
Colissimo (Signature Required)
France: 2-3 business days
Europe: 3-5 business days
International: 5-8 business days
Standard / Priority Mail (With tracking number, No Signature)
France: 2-3 business days
Europe: 5-7 business days
International: 7-14 business days
Disclaimer:
These delivery times are estimates provided by the carrier. Delays may occur due to high shipping volumes or customs processing in the destination country.
3. Free In-Store Pickup (Paris)
You can skip the shipping fees with our free local pickup service at our bookshop in Paris.
- How it Works:
Simply select the "Pick up" option at checkout.
* The "Pick up" option is displayed based on your location. If you are ordering from outside of France but wish to collect your order at our bookshop in Paris, please select "France" as the delivery country first. The "Pick up" option will then become available. If the location still does not appear, you can click on "Search elsewhere" and enter the postcode 75003. - Preparation Time:
In-stock items will be ready for pickup within 24 hours (Tuesday-Saturday). This does not apply to made-to-order items like art prints and t-shirts. - Notification:
We will send you an email as soon as your order is ready for collection, along with instructions. - Pickup Hours:
Tuesday - Saturday: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM (10h - 19h)
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For more information, please visit our Shipping Policy page.
Return Policy
- 14 to 30-Day Returns: You have 14 clear days from delivery to notify us of your return if you reside within the European Union, and 30 days for orders delivered outside the European Union.
- Item Condition: Items must be returned intact, new, and securely packaged in their original condition to be eligible for a refund.
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Further Informations
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