In the summer of 2026, a chance encounter with a photographer’s exhibition led to the rediscovery of a long-buried memory. Lilian Auzas, an author known for his works like Nordick and An Ode to the Dachshund found himself face-to-face with a photograph that transported him back to a transformative summer in 1989.
The exhibition, featuring the works of photographer Roland Gasparini, was held in a spacious, luminous gallery. The atmosphere was serene, with visitors moving quietly through the rooms filled with photographs of male nudes and portraits. Auzas had not researched the exhibition beforehand, preferring to let the images speak to him directly.
The Photograph That Stole Time
As Auzas wandered through the first room, he felt a strange detachment from the images. Despite the beauty and talent on display, nothing captured his attention. That changed in the second room, where a particular photograph stopped him in his tracks. It was a simple image of a young man’s back, captured in a moment of hesitation. The light caressed the contours of the body, highlighting the curves and muscles with a tender intimacy.
The photograph was of Auzas himself, taken during a summer in Collioure when he was just 18 years old. The image brought back a flood of memories, transporting him back to that transformative summer.
A Summer of Firsts
The summer of 1989 was a time of change and discovery for Auzas. Freshly graduated from high school, he spent three weeks in Collioure, a coastal town known for its vibrant light and stunning landscapes. The town’s unique atmosphere, filled with the scent of saltwater and sun-warmed rocks, had a profound effect on him.
It was in this setting that he met Roland Gasparini, a photographer whose presence was as captivating as his work. Gasparini’s approach was both gentle and confident, drawing Auzas into a world of art and desire. Their encounter began with a simple proposition: “I am a photographer, you are beautiful, would you like to pose for me?”
Auzas agreed, and their relationship quickly evolved from a photographic session to a passionate affair. Gasparini’s studio became a place of exploration and self-discovery for Auzas, who found himself drawn to the photographer’s world.
The Art of Love
Their relationship was a complex interplay of art and desire. Gasparini’s photographs captured Auzas in moments of vulnerability and strength, revealing a beauty that Auzas had never seen in himself. The photographer’s gaze was both intimate and objective, creating a unique dynamic between them.
As the summer progressed, Auzas found himself increasingly drawn to Gasparini. Their relationship was intense and transformative, marked by moments of passion and tenderness. However, it was also a relationship marked by power dynamics and the uncertainty of youth.
When the summer ended, Auzas returned to his life, leaving Gasparini and their shared memories behind. It was only years later, upon seeing the photograph in the exhibition, that he fully understood the impact of that summer on his life.
The photograph, titled “Amour manqué d’un été” (Lost Love of a Summer), became a symbol of that transformative period. It was a reminder of the beauty and complexity of their relationship, and the enduring power of art to capture and preserve moments of intimacy and desire.
