With more than 40,000,000 models sold since it’s introduction in the 1960s, the Toyota Corolla has far surpassed some of the most popular cars ever created, including the Volkswagon Beatle and the original bestseller, the Ford Model T. Swiss photographer Sébastien Staub’s recent personal project—created in collaboration with friend/fellow photographer Claudio Zenger—takes a new look at the world’s best selling automobile.
The project, “KE15195035,” is a series of ethereal, dreamlike photos of a vintage Corolla, intended to symbolize the “perpetual consumerism world we all live in.” After contacting an automobile museum near Zurich, the team was able to secure the vintage model, which perfectly fit the classic feel they were looking for. The project presented a chance for Sébastien to make some meaningful, moody personal work. The collaboration aspect was especially interesting, due to the fact that he and Claudio had to work to get their two styles to combine to make one consistent vision.
Working with another photographer, discussing about every aspect of the project and balancing it between our two visions was a really good experience. We learned from each other and created a new style from our two distinct vision.
As with any large prop, one of the main challenges was transporting and traveling to the different locations. While the vintage car was in great condition, it still wasn’t able to reach the speeds they needed to get where they were going.
As we wanted to travel with the car between the different locations, to really get in the mood of the project without putting it on a truck, the road and the distance became suddenly really slow and tiring. We overcame this by hiring one more person on the project to help us with all the side logistics.
Sébastien and Claudio ended up exhibiting the photos, presented as 110×147 cm prints, around the actual car. They also incorporated music based on the sound of the car, which was created especially for the occasion. For Sébastien, the most important result of the project was getting feedback and reaching new clients, as it was his first time photographing a car. In the future, he hopes to continue sorting out the ideas in his mind and continue to make plans for more new, fun personal projects. Stay tuned!
To see more of Sébastien’s work, visit his website: sebastienstaub.com.