What Yuri Dojc, the photographer, and Katya Krausova, the cinematographer, have in common, is to have both left Czechoslovakia in 1968 when Russian tanks invaded Prague. They met when revisiting their Jewish past in Slovakia and, between 2006 and 2013, they followed, each with a camera, the few surviving Jews who had come back from Auschwitz. This « Last Folio », … Read More
Turmoil in London’s museums
The Victoria and Albert museum is a permanent showcase of exhuberance and diversity and I was once again happily surprised by the three shows I saw last week end in London. Not only has the 19 th century decorative arts museum hired a new director, the 42 year old historian Tristram Hunt, who, angry at Brexit, left his labour … Read More
Henri Cartier Bresson strikes again
“Images à la sauvette”, or “The Decisive Moment”, as it is known in the United States, is a book published in October 1952 by Simon and Schuster, which changed the course of Henri Cartier Bresson‘s life and dramatically influenced the art world. Henri Matisse designed the cover two years before he died, Teriade, the French publisher edited the book. The … Read More
Bear stories at Museum d’histoire naturelle
Going to Jardin des Plantes is always a beautiful experience, especially during school vacations when myriads of children babble away in the alleys. Created in 1635 by Louis XIII th’s doctor, Guy de la Brosse, it was a Royal medicinal garden to start with. It was developed in the 17 th century as an ornemental garden and still has lovely … Read More
Biskra, a forgotten oasis in Algeria
I was wandering around the Institut du Monde Arabe which advertises its Simbad exhibition extensively and I felt a little disppointed by the « seafaring adventurers ». There are a few good pieces of furniture in wood and mother of pearl from Goa, and some nice models of boats from the red Sea, a XV th century glass pearls necklace … Read More
Cy Twombly, fireworks at Pompidou center
Walking into the first room of the Cy Twombly exhibition at Pompidou center was like entering a sacred temple. The emotion was immense and the pleasure doubled by the presence of many knowledgeable curators who talked brilliantly about his work. This retrospective of 140 paintings, photographs and sculptures was curated by Jonas Storsve and made possible by the Cy Twombly … Read More
Between Art and Fashion at Azzedine Alaïa
There are more than 2 000 photographs in Carla Sozzani’s collection but only 198 are shown here. Here, in the amazing gallery in the Marais, that Azzedine Alaïa has devoted to exhibitions. He used to offer his fashion défilés there and he lends it to fellow couturiers, but it has primarily become an entrance free exhibition space.
Paris Photo #20
There was something soothing about attending the opening of the 20 th edition of Paris Photo, one of my favourite art fairs. It was the day after… election day and everyone was groggy. Yet the calm and serenity of old and modern photographs helped. Beside the usual beautiful vintage photo booths, I discovered three remarkable photographers. Sacha Goldberger, a French … Read More