A tiny corner of Saint-Germain-des-Prés and a photo program that packs a punch: welcome to PhotoSaintGermain, the Parisian photography festival which promises lovers of beautiful photos to be amazed through 34 very tempting stages. A 100% free event (after Art Basel, that feels good) which does not compromise on the quality of the programming. Between big blazes and little young people to stick closely, the editorial staff of Time Out Paris presents you with an overview of the highlights of the festival with five artists to follow in as many venues.
Mélissa Cornet & Kiana Hayeri – Cordeliers Refectory
OWe start this top with something heavy: the presentation of the 14th Carmignac photojournalism prize. This award is a real spotlight on a discipline that is more essential than ever. Focused on the condition of women and girls in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime, this year the prize highlights the work of the duo Kiana Hayeri, Canadian-Iranian photojournalist, and Mélissa Cornet, French researcher. For their series No Woman’s Land (a six-month report supported by the Carmignac Foundation), they met more than 100 Afghan women with poignant stories, giving a voice to those who are today completely deprived of a voice in the public space…
Or ? Cordeliers Refectory15 rue de l’Ecole-de-Médecine, Paris 6th.
When ? Monday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Bayeté Ross Smith – Musée national Eugène-Delacroix
Quasi-sociological, this first French exhibition by American Bayeté Ross Smith asks questions about what shapes our perception of the individual. By playing on markers such as clothing, skin color or signs of belonging to a social class or ethnic group, he invites us to think about the way in which these elements influence our outlook. The concept is simple: pose the same models in the same way, but dressed differently, to observe how these small changes affect our perception. Thus, the same face can appear as that of a billionaire in one photo, a hipster in another, or a dynamic young executive in a third. It is a captivating visual experience that skillfully plays with the fundamental codes of photography to lead us to question our own prejudices and explore the complexity of our perception of others.
Or ? Eugène-Delacroix National Museum, 6 rue de Furstemberg, Paris 6th.
When ? Wednesday to Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Catherine DeLattre – Abraham & Wolff
Did you like the Tina Barney exhibition at the Jeu de Paume? Then you will love the one dedicated to the American photographer Catherine DeLattre. Fascinated by the upper middle class of the Upper East Side, this artist from Pennsylvania is not interested in “the golden youth of Manhattan” (fans of Gossip Girl will understand) but to their grandmothers, just as exhausted, even for a quick trip to the local market. With Chanel suits on their backs and Birkins in their hands, these seniors from the upscale neighborhoods of New York inspired Catherine DeLattre to create a series of colorful portraits, produced at the end of the 1970s and which now hangs on the walls of the young Abraham gallery & Wolff.
Or ? Abraham & Wolff, 12 rue des Saints-Pères, Paris 7th.
When ? Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Marilia Destot – Ségolène Brossette Gallery
Of Lithuanian origin, Marilia Destot poetically explores the Jewish diaspora in her region, a story that affects her own family and which she struggles to understand due to lack of documentation. Returning to the lands of her ancestors, she realizes that the archives are rare and will not give her the answers she seeks. Drawing on the stories of those close to her, the photographer then plunges into nature to capture absence, through hybrid photographs embellished with collages and needle drawings. His work of dreamlike memory highlights the glaring absence of a common story recognized by History and evokes a discreet oppression that is whispered within homes. Better still, it succeeds in filling a void left gaping for too long.
Or ? Ségolène Brossette Gallery, 15 rue Guénégaud, Paris 6th.
When ? Wednesday to Saturday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Zdeněk Piša – Center tchèque de Paris
The exhibition Ephemeral house of contemporary Czech photography made a splash by inviting the recent winners of the Prague Photo Young Award to reveal themselves in a breathtaking collective exhibition. For many, it is the big plunge into the world of art. Among those elected, a 19-year-old prodigy, Zdeněk Píša. Yes, it's young, but his photos seem to whisper secrets buried for centuries. His series Moments hors temps juggles between landscapes and portraits in an atmosphere charged with nostalgia. A tribute to his native Czech countryside, this collection celebrates the timeless and confirms that talent does not wait for the number of years.
Or ? Czech Center of Paris, 18 rue Bonaparte, Paris 6th.
When ? Thursday to Sunday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
