Every two years, the whole month of November lights up with new and old photography talent. If you’re an amateur photographer, you’ll no doubt get inspiration to take your work to the next level. If you’re more adept at appreciating photos than taking them, never fear — you’re sure to get an eyeful of eclectic works this month.
Several of Paris’s cultural institutions will take part in this 18th edition of Photography Month, with artistic all-stars La Maison Européenne de la Photographie, Jeu de Paume and Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson leading the pack. For this year’s ode to photo images, three themes will thread their way through the dozens of participating exhibitions: Mediterranean photography, Anonymous and Amateurs, and At the Heart of Intimacy.
Some thirty-five artists will be taking part in the Mediterranean photography segment, touching on Greece’s crisis and the history of the French coasts, among other themes. Amongst the many works being shown are Isabel Muñoz’s Mare Piedra at the Instituto Cervantes and Alberto Garcia-Alix’s Un Horizonte Falso at La Maison Européenne de la Photographie.
If you’re a history buff, pay attention. Historical and archived works can be found in the Anonymous and Amateurs category, which includes family photos, and images of World War I and France’s liberation. One notable exhibition to check out is Valérie Fougeirol’s Paris libéré, Paris photographié, Paris exposé at the Musée Carnavalet. Author and filmmaker-turned-photographer Michel Houellebecq will also show off his Before Landing, Le produit France #1.
The goal of the “At the Heart of Intimacy” portion of the photo festival is to delve further into how intimacy is defined within photography. Thirty photographers were asked to join this group, including William Eggleston with his From Black and White to Color piece at the Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson and Garry Winogrand, 1928-1984 at Jeu de Paume.
For the entire lineup of exhibitions, you can refer to La Maison Européenne de la Photographie website. Most likely, you’ll find an exhibition in your neighborhood.
If you speak a little French, you may also want to check out some of the extras involved in photography month: a collection of round table discussions, lectures, and workshops on various photography themes. That’s all happening from November 14-16 at the Gaîté Lyrique (3bis Rue Papin, 75003).
And of course, we can’t forget the Paris International Photo Fair mid-month, which is a central event within the month’s festivities. The exhibition hall will showcase the latest and greatest in photo equipment from November 13-17 at the Paris Expo (Pavilion 4, 1 place de la Porte de Versailles. Metro: Porte de Versailles).
There’s so much photography action going on this month that you’re going to have to sit down and get organized before heading out. But whichever route you take, Paris’s photography month surely will not disappoint.
Bought a great camera at the Photo Fair? Take it on our Paris at Sunset: Champagne Cruise and Eiffel Tower Access and get a great shot of Paris’s most famous monument.
