News about photography events and exhibits in Paris
This section provides a regular update on photo events in Paris. Come back often for information on special exhibits, trade fairs, festivals and more.
23 April 2010
If you find yourself in Paris between now and August 22, 2010, you will not want to miss the Willy Ronis photo exhibit called "A Poetics of Engagement". Willy Ronis, who would have turned 100 this year, is considered one of the greatest photographers of the 20th century. Along with Doisneau, Cartier Bresson and Izis, he belongs to the humanist photography movement, which is about taking people as the main subject of the photograph. His place in that movement is confirmed in this exhibit, which is at the Monnaie de Paris...
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28 January 2010
A hundred years ago this week, the Seine river flooded the city of Paris up to 8.5 meters! Paris looked more like Venice and most of the major monuments were affected. Reporters and photographers came from everywhere to record this historical moment, making it the first flood photographed and documented. To commemorate the anniversary, a number of exhibits are currently taking place in the French capital. The Gallerie des bibliothèques presents a comprehensive exhibit with photos, newspaper clippings, postcards and posters, while the Louvre des Antiquaires also offers a photography retrospective of the event. This is by the same token a good reminder that a flood might still happen and - if we believe experts - it might be even worse than the great 1910 flood...
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20 January 2010
Robert Doisneau (1912 - 1994) was an expert in street photography, walking or biking through Paris with his camera, catching fleeting moments of poetic and romantic Parisian scenes that made him famous. His work is however much more complex than his famous idyllic images. For its first exhibit of the year, the Henri Cartier Bresson Foundation is showcasing about 100 of Doisneau's photographs. Even if the famous 'Baiser de l'hôtel de ville' is among them, most of the other work presented is rather unknown.
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15 January 2010
Paris is a great city to simply walk around to enjoy the sites and atmosphere, but when Mother Nature plays her tricks during the winter months, it is also a good thing to stay warm by spending some time inside. There is only so much coffee or hot chocolate one can sip, so here are five hot spots to be cosy and enjoy some good photography by others...
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10 January 2010
Between 1976 and 1980, the famous photographer Robert Doisneau walked through some of my favourite Parisian covered passages, taking pictures in Passage Verdeau, Passage Jouffroy, Galerie Vivienne, Galerie Véro-Dodat, etc. His pictures were published in 1981 in a book titled: "Passages et galeries du XIX siècle. Le piéton à Paris" ("19th Century Passages and Galleries: The pedestrian in Paris"). Until January 15th, 2010, you can see a free exhibit presenting a collection of these photographs at the Musée de la Monnaie de Paris.
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13 December 2009
We know Christmas is just around the corner when pretty lights come up in the streets, store fronts get brightly decorated and Christmas trees pop up for sale on the side walks. I can listen to my favorite carols on the radio or enjoy the glitters in my neighborhood, but the sure way for me to get into the Holiday Season is to stand under the giant Christmas tree of the Galeries Lafayette...
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26 October 2009
Until 24 January 2010, the Bibliothèque Nationale de France (BNF) is presenting a retrospective of Michael Kenna's photography. The exhibit includes images from his early work inspired by Bill Brandt through to his more recent images from various countries such as Japan, India, China and more.
The black and white photos along with Michael Kenna's minimalist compositions and sense of design make his work both timeless and modern. Playing with light and texture, Kenna is a master at creating dream-like images, drawing the viewer into his work and making it easy to imagine being in there alone...
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23 October 2009
In celebration of its 120th anniversary, the Eiffel Tower is currently displaying a special light show. The highest structure in Paris (at 324 metres or 1,063 feet tall), the tower was built by Gustave Eiffel as the entrance arch for the 1889 World's Fair in Paris. Originally intended to be dismantled after the fair, it was instead left in place and 120 years later it is one of the most visited paid attractions in the world. Between 22 October and 31 December, 2009, the light show brings the tower to life with changing colours moving up and down the iron lattice...
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