Free exhibition at the Hôtel de Ville through 8 March 2014
Long before I fell in love with Paris I fell in love with the dark, intriguing and magical world of Brassaï. His black and white photographs capture something very special, something intense, deeply moving and often surprisingly humorous about Paris. Perhaps I began to fall in love with Paris all those years ago while lost in the shadows, stories and humanity of Brassaï’s photographs of the City of Light.
I was thrilled when I heard last year about the Brassaï exhibition coming to the Hôtel de Ville this winter. If you love photography and you love Paris, this is one show you won’t want to miss! Starting in the 20s when the young Hungarian photographer arrived in Paris, Brassaï began photographing Paris. Inspired by Eugène Atget, one of the pioneers of documentary photography and a grand photographer of Paris as well, Brassaï captured the city in the magical moment of transition from Belle Epoque to the famous Paris of the Roaring 20s … and beyond. In his photos you see the people, the nightclubs, the fashion, the famous faces and the artists developing something new. Little known artists like, you know, Picasso. Brassaï was everywhere – capturing the city of Paris and its inhabitants with his eye and his camera.
Called Brassaï – For the Love of Paris, this exhibition brings together a stunning and huge selection of the artists work, including a film he made that won a prize at Cannes in 1956. This outstanding show is located at the Hôtel de Ville and is free. Yes, FREE. It’s proving to be an exceptionally popular show, so expect to queue for a little while outside the entrance. I went on a Monday morning in early December and had to wait about 25 minutes. But it was well worth the wait. The view while waiting was nice, too!
Admiring the Hôtel de Ville while waiting to enter the exhibition. What a lovely view!
Brassaï – For the Love of Paris is open through March 8th, 2014 from 10am – 7pm on Monday to Saturday. Visit the website here for more information.
~ Paris Address Book ~
Hôtel de Ville
Salle Saint Jean, Entrance 5 rue Lobau
75004 PARIS
Exhibition Information
Metro: Hôtel de Ville (Lines 1 & 11) and Cité (Line 4)
