Above All, 2017
Above All by Kevin Couliau is a striking exploration of basketball’s elegance, energy, and universality, capturing the sport as both a physical pursuit and a cultural phenomenon. Couliau, a Paris-based photographer and filmmaker, transforms the basketball court into a stage where human ambition, creativity, and athleticism converge. The work emphasizes the moments of suspension, flight, and tension, where players defy gravity, highlighting the poetry inherent in every leap, pass, and movement.
Through his lens, Couliau illustrates how basketball extends beyond the game itself, shaping identities, fostering community, and reflecting shared values across generations. In Above All, light, perspective, and composition converge to create an image that is both dynamic and contemplative, inviting viewers to witness the harmony between form, motion, and emotion. Every detail—from the texture of the ball to the intensity of the players’ expressions—serves to convey the narrative of resilience, determination, and the pursuit of excellence that defines the sport.
More than a photograph, Above All is a celebration of basketball’s universal language, illustrating how it elevates both body and spirit. Couliau’s work resonates with anyone who has experienced the game’s thrill, its challenges, or its communal heartbeat, making this piece a powerful tribute to the artistry, culture, and enduring influence of basketball around the world.