Paris
Update
Flash News
SCANDALOUS PHOTOS OF HAPPY PEOPLE
One would think that any photos documenting life in Paris during the Occupation would be of great historical interest, but just such a collection has caused great controversy because they were taken by French photographer Andre Zucca for the Nazi propaganda magazine Signal
and show Parisians having fun as they go about everyday life, while ignoring little details of life under Nazi occupation, such as public executions, shortages and other hardships. The exhibition, “Des Parisiens sous l’Occupation,” formerly entitled “Les Parisiens sous l’Occupation” (“some” as opposed to “all”) is open through July 1 at the Bibliothèque Historique de la Ville de Paris (22, rue Malher, 75004 Paris; tel.: 01 44 59 29 60). The organizers have bowed to public pressure and provided texts explaining that the photos offer an extremely one-sided view of life at the time.
ART ALERTS
Kérya-Espace K is a new nonprofit association/gallery whose goal is to promote the work of young artists not only by holding exhibitions of their work but also by bringing them together with corporate sponsors who can provide financial assistance.
CHOPIN MEETS PICASSO
On March 17, the Comité National pour l’Education Artistique had a 1838 Pleyel piano of the type preferred by Chopin hoisted into Picasso’s former sixth arrondissement atelier (where the artist painted his famous “Guernica”) to inaugurate a new exhibition on the composer. There’s not much to the exhibition, but it’s a great excuse to visit (for free) this wonderful wood-beamed attic space full of historical echoes. Read all about it here.
PARIS RENEWED
On the Pavillon d’Arsenal’s online database, you can see images of something rare: contemporary architecture in Paris, along with information on the projects and architects. Check out the drawings of Rudy Ricciotti’s sculptural design for the expansion of Jean Bouin Stadium in the 16th arrondissement, commissioned in preparation for the 2012 Olympics, which Paris then lost to London. The project is going ahead anyway and is set to be completed by 2012.
OPEN EYE
Art lovers keeping their eyes peeled for inexpensive ways to acquire original works should check out L’Œil Ouvert, a Web site and gallery that sells limited editions (of between 25 and 200 prints) of aluminum-mounted art photos for prices ranging from €29 to €390, depending on the format. The gallery (11, rue de la Grange aux Belles, 75010 Paris; tel.: 08 72 58 72 88; open Wed.-Sun., 3 p.m.-8 p.m.) holds regular exhibitions of works by the artists represented. The current show features American photographer Doug Biggert’s images of hitchhikers (until Feb. 28).
OPENING
DOORS TO ART
Beginning on Jan. 1, 2008, 14 French national museums and monuments will stop charging admission during a six-month trial period to see if the move attracts more visitors. In Paris, they are the Musée Guimet, one of the world’s best Asian art museums: the Musée de Cluny, which houses medieval art, including the famous Unicorn tapestries; and the Musée des Arts et Métiers, which covers the history of science and technology.
DOISNEAU
ONLINE
Those who missed "Doisneau:
Paris en Liberté,” the immensely popular retrospective
of Robert Doisneau’s photos of Paris held at the
Hôtel de Ville, can at least see the exhibition online in
the comfort of their homes on the city of Paris’s Web
site. It's not the same as seeing the original prints, but at
least there are no long lines.
POMPIDOU
TO SQUAT PALAIS DE TOKYO
It’s kind of like having your big brother or sister move into
your bedroom: The Centre Pompidou has been authorized
to take over the Palais de Tokyo’s unused
spaces, which amount to two-thirds of the building, by 2009. The
former will present the work of “confirmed” artists,
while the latter will continue to concentrate on “emerging”
artists. Will this kill the refreshingly anarchic spirit of the
Palais de Tokyo? Former Culture Minister Jack Lang calls the move
“insanity” and “disastrous for everyone."
