Jérôme Plon
Photographie de plateau, film «Chaucun cherche son chat», réalisateur C. Klapich, 1996
5 1/4 x 7 1/16 inches; 13 x 18 centimeters
Louis Stern Fine Arts in collaboration with Monique Plon, founder of Gallery Picto-Bastille, Paris, is pleased to present A la Bastille… a photography exhibition opening July 14 and running through September 1.
“A la Bastille…”
Over the years the storied cries of “Down with the Bastille!”, which reportedly echoed through the streets of Paris on July 14th, 1789, have evolved into equally impassioned cries of “Vive le France!”. With the storming of La Bastille, a castle stronghold used as a prison for enemies of the king, the French people announced to the world the end of the arbitrary rule of monarchy and the beginning of a revolutionary vision of self-determination and democracy. From July 14th, 1790 forward, crowds have flocked to Paris to celebrate the birth and see the birthplace of the French Republic.
In “A la Bastille…” Ms. Plon showcases this holiday and the surrounding landscape through the eyes of some of the most extraordinary photographers of the twentieth century. Globes of light seem to sway in the foreground of Cartier-Bresson’s exquisite black and white twilight Bal du 14 Juillet from 1952. Brassai in Rue de Lappe, 1932, and Capa in Bal a la Bastille le 14 Juillet, 1937 offer tender ruthless portraits of the nightclub scene. Willy Ronis delicately observes lovers on a quiet balcony gazing into the soft light of morning in Les amoureux de la Bastille, 1957. More contemporary image makers deliver the particular exuberance of teenage dancers, skirts swirling, the simple dignity of laborers enjoying a tented lunch at their work sight and sweeping arial vistas of bustling and quiet Paris streets.
Collectively the show creates a poignant poet’s-eye view into the passions of the holiday and of the century. To be led into France in the guidance of such keen humane and unflinching eyes is cause in itself for heartfelt celebration.
There will be a Bastille Day Preview reception on Saturday, July 14 from 5-8 PM followed by the Los Angeles International Reception on Thursday, July 19 from 6-9 PM. The West Hollywood Gallery Association Opening is scheduled for Saturday, July 28 from 6 PM- 9 PM.