Paris Photo: giving visibility to women artists with Florence Bourgeois and curator Rossy de Palma
Paris Photo director Florence Bourgeois discuss Paris Photo 2022 – «it’s easier to publish a book than to be represented by a gallery, it means there is still work to be done in the photography market»
The 2022 edition of Paris Photo will be held at the Grand Palais Éphémère from the 10th to 13th of November, under the direction of Florence Bourgeois. Paris Photo is a leading international fair, dedicated to photography. The very first edition was held in 1997. Since then the fair has worked to establish and encourage the art of photography by shining a spotlight on the work of publishers, artists, and gallery owners. The mission has remained the same today for 2022.
Photography That Tells a Story Spanning Two Decades
These past two decades have seen lows from wars and a pandemic. There were also highs such as the cultural revolutions like acceptance of gay marriage and women’s rights, the evolution of modern technology as we know it, and more. For this year’s edition of Paris Photo 2022, they celebrate twenty five years of the event. Florence Bourgeois, the director of the event, stated that there is no theme for this year’s twentyfirth anniversary. She wanted to focus on several topics as they strive to represent photography through a variety of themes and global points of view, with galleries by the side.
In light of celebrating the pieces of photography over the event’s twenty five-year history, this year will feature 183 exhibitors from thirty-one countries, divided into three sectors. The trio includes the Main Sector, Curiosa Sector, and the Book Sector. In addition to the mentioned sectors, visitors can go to Elles x Paris Photo, organized by Federica Chiocchetti. This section has the aim of giving visibility to women artists. The guest of honor Rossy de Palma has curated her selection of artworks that visitors can discover within the event.
Guest of honor Rossy de Palma is no stranger to the world of art
She is an award-winning Spanish actress. She is also a multidisciplinary artist and fashion muse. Ms. De Palma has conquered the imaginations of designers, artists, and musicians worldwide. Photography happens to be one of her passions. Renowned photographers who are regulars at Paris Photo that feature her as their muse include Gorka Postigo and Richard Avedon. Combined with her image and global recognition, director Florence Bourgeois found as the guest of honor for the twenty-fifth anniversary.
Rossy de Palma has personally curated a selection of twenty five art pieces that will be on display throughout the event. Some of Ms. De Palma’s carefully curated photographs include works from artists Lola Alvarez Bravo, Brassï, and Jean-Philippe Charbonnier. Curating images that speak about her persona and aesthetic is a moment for viewers to get to know the Spanish actress on a personal yet intellectual level. Ultimately, she is picking based on her personal tastes and what appeases her, calling for a moment of intimacy between her idea of beauty and the public.
Admission to Paris Photo
A committee composed of seven members representing international galleries are the figures who grant or deny access of galleries and artists to Paris Photo. Admission to Paris Photo is conducted on a submission basis. For this year’s edition, the committee received around two hundred and fifty projects that they then reviewed and evaluated together – over two days, one by one. Then, they make a selection to be further evaluated. From there, they create a list of galleries and projects that will be accepted immediately and put the rest on a waiting list to be accepted if a particular gallery cancels. How one gets admitted is based on what they submitted. The Paris Photo selection committee requests galleries to present one project, which is the determining factor.
Lampoon – Florence Bourgeois, the Director of Paris Photo
When asked if there would be any surprises during this year’s anniversary edition, Ms. Bourgeois stated that, «there are always surprises». She continued by saying visitors can wander around thirty-eight solo and duo shows to immerse in the artist and the emotions involved fully. With that, twentyfour solo shows will be tied in with the main sector, featuring installations by Boris Mikhaïlov via Suzanna Tarasieve. There will be a homage to Ukraine in a work called Theater of War, along with others.
Continuing with the themes highlighted by Ms. Bourgeois, the group shows will be carrying the torch of opening dialogues and topics. Installations will explore the photographic concepts of disaster and protests, especially concerning the feminine movements and mass media. Here, visitors can see the works of Karsten Grevem and Magnum. The latter gallery is hosting an exhibition curated by Martin Parr.
When selecting the galleries and projects that will make the cut, the committee pays attention to what is currently happening. What political movements are in the works, how people are interacting amongst themselves, friends to determine the file rouge of our society that must be underlined. Visitors will be able to experience dialogues about the body thanks to pieces by Marina Abramović. There will be an installation about the Rwandan Genocide represented by a South African gallery. Along with a piece related to identity that focuses on the AIDS epidemic in the Seventies by gallery Julian Sander. Ms. Bourgeois highlighted that visitors can marvel at a piece by Sebastian Premier represented by Gallery Edwynn Houk. They feature small dots that come together to create one image.
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Holly Roussell began curating emerging art for the Curiosa Sector in 2015
American-born curator, museologist, and art historian specializing in photography from Asia, Holly Roussell began curating emerging art for the Curiosa Sector in 2015. This specific section is dedicated to emerging artists. There are solo presentations of seventeen artists from twelve different countries. This features people who are exhibiting at Paris Photo for the very first time. The theme for this section is anything but traditional. Roussell aims to highlight interdisciplinarity in photos, and look beyond what one may see in front of them. Florence Bourgeois stated that this section adds freshness to Paris Photo.
The section is divided into three areas. Experimental and conceptual approaches to image construction, self-portraits that concentrate on personal history and intertwining identities, and current practices concerning landscape photography. Here, curator Holly Roussel uses her role to project the idea of remaining open to out-of-the-box approaches. She combines this through the contemporary world of excess images and information.
For Curiosa, Roussell called upon artists who could accomplish her vision. For the emerging artists, it’s a way of getting thrown upon a global stage. While in conversation with Ms. Borgeouis, she highlighted that this year fresh talent from Elliot & Erick Jiméenz and Pao Houa Her will be displaying their works for the first time.
The Book Section
The book section is, as it sounds, a section dedicated to photography literature. This section conglomerates thirty-four publishers. They represent nine countries and highlighting four new entries, into one, to offer visitors one-of-a-kind editions and anticipate book releases.
Elles x Paris Photo, organized by Federica Chicchetti
Florence Bourgeois is known within the art world for leading a lantern for female artists. She continues this with Elles x Paris Photo, organized by Federica Chicchetti. Writer, curator, editor and Director of the Muséè du Locale in Switzerland, Ms Chiccetti will highlight a selection of female artists. The primary purpose of this section is to light a path of clear visibility for female artists. It is also to emphasize their contribution to photography history.
In partnership with the French Ministry of Culture and in tandem support of Women in Motion by Kering, this section focuses exclusively on female artists who have never presented in Elles x Paris Photo. Visitors can observe the works of Wendy Red Star and South African artist Zanele Muholi, among others. This year, Elles x Paris Photo will be extended to the book section. Ms. Chiocchetti realized that «it’s easier to publish a book than to be represented by a gallery. It means there is still work to be done in the photography market».
Director Bourgeois stated that five years ago, only twenty percent of the artists were women. This year, women artists make up thirty-two percent of the artists. She noted that the world overall is seeing a rise of feminine artists.
Paris Photo
Paris Photo 2022 will be held at the Grand Palais Éphémère in Paris, France, from November tenth to thirteen, 2022. This year’s edition is directed by Florence Bourgeois and Paris Photo will be celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary.
