The photographs of Jean-François Bouchard explore a new social phenomenon. In the past, tribes existed for the purpose of survival and grew out of geographical proximity; today, modern tribes are forming for radically different reasons.

The way technology and the social fabric are evolving allows the development of often-misunderstood groups – or “secret societies” – whose members are drawn together to share their very special interests. Fetishists, nudists, hippies, ravers, Medievalists, aficionados of pornography or tattoos have no qualms about searching the world to find like-minded souls.

“These photographs document my many travels and my often shocking, sometimes disturbing, infiltration of a new marginality: something that is no longer kept to oneself.”

The exhibit was presented at the prestigious Fonderie Darling gallery in Montreal in February, 2008, and attracted thousands of visitors. Pushing conventional boundaries with dim lighting and provocative images, the show created a truly immersive experience into the photographer’s unusual universe.

During the final evening of the exhibit, visitors were invited to delve into the darkness of the old factory, flashlight in hand, for an atypical photographic experience that lasted until 3 a.m. The popularity of the event was evidenced by a line-up of visitors that spanned two blocks. Three major broadcast media featured the exhibit and it enjoyed extensive coverage in cultural weeklies, newspapers and radio.