Organised by the French Foreign Office, the French Embassy and the Alliance Francaise, Pune, the six-day exhibition, which started on October 5, of six contemporary artists working in France, takes the viewer on a visual journey of exploration.

The fretwork of fine lines etched in red, blue and yellow, superimposed with abstract images in black, yellow and red, form the colourful Univers series by artist Stephane Trois-Carres. Explains artist Sujata Dharap, ``These lino-engravings, carved out in a linoleum plate with gauges of different calibre, are done painstakingly.''

A series of four still-life drawings of litho in black, that of plates of stuffed capsicums, sardines with garlic and lemons, sauerkrauts and a fourth, intriguingly called Vanity, depicting a skull set among books and a candle, have an almost photographic effect of three-dimensional realism. The artist Bruno Yvonnet's repertoire includes yet another series of litho - in black prints of silhouettes of statues and landscapes through which he evokes an eye-catching chiaroscuro effect.

Gerard Traquandi's photoengravings, inspired by certain techniques used by mass media, Najia Mehadji's abstract lino cut series depicting geometric shapes in black and white and triptychs in transparent layers, Peter Ross Bond's etchings on zinc plates, Etienne de Bary's layered prints of blue, pink and cream with hints of another coloured layer underneath also make interesting viewing.

``The aim of this exhibition is to present a diversified range of these techniques and practices, through the contemporary works of young artists, each having a unique style,'' says director Evelyn Delorme-Beraud. The exhibition, which will travel to 15 cities in all, is open at Yogi's gallery from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.