Yes, I know it’s a photo of photos, but it’s not just ANY photos. It all started when Nicolas Laugero-Lassere, art director of l'Espace Pierre Cardin and teacher at l'Efap Paris (a Communications school) had the idea of giving a camera to several homeless people with no particular directions. The result was presented last Wednesday in an art gallery called Art & You in the 9th arrondissement. The exhibit was a big success I must say (well at least the opening!) ; congratulations to the pupils of L’Efap who did a good job promoting the event. More photos here. PS: I'm currently in Romans at the moment, for the Internet Festival, remember?
Very nice photo of photos! I think this is a wonderful idea, and really gives a "voice" to those we usually ignore. Thanks for sharing all the info on this project!
ReplyDeleteSometimes, a photograph can actually make the world INvisible. How? By attracting so much attention to its own aesthetic qualities that we all but forget it is an image OF SOMETHING. (Which, by the way, is not a criticism.)
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, it can also make visible pockets of the world that we might not otherwise have noticed, or paid much attention to, by being so "artless" that we all but forget we are actually looking at a photograph. (Which, I suppose, is my way of saying that I think this exhibition was a great idea and deserves its success.)
i like the kiss and the mastress pictures i only hope the project goes further postcard, badges ..
ReplyDeletethanks for the info inge
Great idea. Very arty, though i can't help wondering if the people might have preferred some food, help in some way, rather than the use of a camera. Don't get me wrong; i love the art and the images they took are powerful...I hope the proceeds of the exhibition go back to the homeless or at least some of it?
ReplyDeleteThat's funny Eric - we so often echo each other. Here is my 'photo of photos' from only a few days ago!
ReplyDeleteAll power to our trigger fingers...
Interesting photo and photos. It is always interesting to see what others view through a camera lens. I love my camera even though I don't use it as often as I would wish. This just reminds me to get out there!!
ReplyDeleteAh... Romans must be nice when the pressure is on other people, eh? ;)
ReplyDeleteGiving cameras to homeless people is a great idea. I'm sure they see tons of unusual scenes out in the streets every day.
This post reminds me of a documentary I saw a while back, called "Born into brothels"
http://www.kids-with-cameras.org/bornintobrothels/
about a bunch of kids in India (born of prostitutes) who also where given cameras. There was an expo in Belgium where their work was featured, if memory serves.
Lynne: Good point. I, too, hope that the participants were justly rewarded for their time, their efforts and - perhaps most importantly - their candor.
ReplyDeleteTomate Farcie: For some reason, I hadn't heard about "Born Into Brothels", which sounds very disturbing (but also very fascinating). Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
Nice photo of some rather interesting photos - is one of them a loo????
ReplyDeleteI agree with Tomate that Born Into Brothels is definitely worth renting. The story of the kids is amazing, and so are the photos they took. Like the photos in Eric's photo here, seeing the world from someone else's lens can be quite enlightening.
ReplyDeleteLovely use of light - and meta-photography!
ReplyDeleteSydney Daily Photo Turns 2 today!
I just came back from a party at the DeYoung Museum of Art, and I must tell you, that I thought of Lynn while looking at the exhibit "For Tent and Trade: Masterpieces of Turkmen Weaving". Here are some of the images although it was much better at the exhibit. http://images.google.com/images?q=turkmen+tents&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&startIndex=&startPage=1&um=1&sa=N&tab=wi
ReplyDeleteI do not think Lynn could fit this tent into Eric's suitcase. They are fit for a queen; so, Lynn will just have to use a camel.
On a more serious subject. They use to have free loft space for homeless artists here in San Francisco in the 90's. The artists could come during the day and work on their artwork, and the art supplies were paid for. For whatever reason, the artists didn't use the space regularly, or maybe there wasn't enough homeless artists. I don't know, after about a decade, the place was pretty much abandoned, and so was the concept. They did have a few art shows that seemed to be a big success, however, that might have just been media coverage.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting project. I don't know if they got some food too or not, but it's interesting anyway because it shows some people were interested in their point of view on whatever subject.
ReplyDeleteEric so sweet of you to ask us if we remember you're in Romans. Of course we do. You are our guru and we are your followers.
Good luck as a juror!
Lois nice photo!
ReplyDeleteI didn't take the photo Monica, Leland Wong did. And he thinks it is very good!!! He is a professional portrait photographer here in San Francisco. I do not like to pose. That is the whole issue. The photos at my website were taken during an interview in the 90's so I did not mind that too much. You are so sweet.
ReplyDeleteAh yes, Tomate, "Born Into Brothels." I didn't see the film, but I believe it was Smithsonian Magazine that did a story. The photos were fantastic.
ReplyDeleteIt's important to provide food and shelter, but art is also sustenance. LA Times columnist Steve Lopez did a series of pieces about Juilliard-trained, homeless musician Nathaniel Ayers. It will soon be a movie called "The Soloist," starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx.
http://tinyurl.com/2kxh5a
The proving ground. Can you make it on your art. Society does expect that of an artist. Or what blues artists call "paying your dues." It's rough. The only way I made it was that I was young and built of steel. Many artists around me were dying or are dead now.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a great project to put focus on a social issue like the homeless. And I think it's amazing that some of the homeless people said yes to take part in this.
ReplyDeleteProjects like this is a reminder to the rest of us; better give a little than nothing at all. One euro makes the difference between being able to buy a cup of warm coffee or having to live without it.
It is hard, lonely, boring and degrading to be homeless.
I think it's important that the rest of us remembers to make an eye contact and give a smile (even if we don't give money) just to recognize them as visible fellow human beings.
SORRY folks, I can go on and on about this. It's something I have very much at heart.
Eric, good choise for todays photo.
Lois your photo's great and i like the artwork. I too found it difficult as an artist alone so it's why i diversified with the writing. I still paint, but not so often now. It's great to see your face!
ReplyDeleteVery nice idea. Keep up the good work. All these people need is someone who cares and give them a helping hand.Just be thankful your not one of them.Remember what goes around comes around. Elaine Cooke
ReplyDeleteReally great stuff Lois!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea. I'm all for anything that will allow one to see life through someone else's perspective, especially when the perspective is of a "class" you've never experienced.
ReplyDeleteSoooooosh! Where've you been? Great to see you.
ReplyDeleteYESSSSSS!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHow are you Soosha_Q?!?!?!
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I was just snooping around the website of the Festival de Romans where Eric is a jury member and found a place where you can leave a comment if you want! Let's all drop a line and make him feel good shall we? They even gave a publicity for the City Daily Photo community (kind of sort of).
Click here if you want to leave a comment.
Your blog amazes me. You bring images to my attention I would never have a chance to see. Wonderful photos! Cheers, Jean
ReplyDeleteThank you Lynn and Michael for the thoughtful comments and kind compliments. I really didn't expect that. I cannot express enough gratitude. merci, bisou bisou
ReplyDeleteI too will leave a commnet for Eric. It was very thoughtful of you Michael to connect the dots to Romans for us. Saves us a lot of time. You are awesome!
i am a bit shy michael no one did put a comment before i dont want to be first on this blog
ReplyDeletei just want to tell him not to brag with what he has eaten there we are already so jealous ;-)inge
Eric, A very interesting project in how the homeless see the world. Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction for the third statue of Liberty in Paris (Musee Des Arts Et Metiers). I was able to take the just the right photographs. David
ReplyDeleteP.S. Please visit my new blog: http://parisphotoart.blogspot.com/
I left a comment at Festival de Romans. The comment counter indicates "0" comments. I'm not so sure that the counter works. I wouldn't worry about being the first one Anonyme.
ReplyDeleteUnusual idea. I think if you gave cameras to the homeless here, they'd sell it for drugs, cheap beer or cigarettes.
ReplyDeleteLois i think the comments have to be approved first. I've left one too.
ReplyDeleteGail's Man; absolutely agree. I also think they may look incredulously at the gift bearer, saying they need food or cash instead!
Yes, there is comment moderation on the site (which seems ridiculous seeing that there isn't much activity on the site). I just checked and saw Lois' comment.
ReplyDeleteGail's Man...you surprised me with that one. ;-)
Wishing Eric well at the Festival de Romans! Thank you for the link Michael. :) Alas! my French is not sooooo polished (hey ho! neither is my English), but do hope others can and will leave a message.
ReplyDeleteThis photo also reminded me of “Born in the Brothels,” a truly inspiring story. The organization is named Kids with Cameras. Here’s some information from their website:
“Kids with Cameras was founded in 2002 by photographer Zana Briski out of her work teaching photography to children in Calcutta's red-light district. We believe that photography is an effective tool in igniting children's imagination and building self-esteem. We believe in the power of art to transform lives, for both the artist and the viewer.”
btw…did anyone else see the Patti Smith video on the Art & You (TV) link? She is so cool! It’s nice to see her with her “boy” Jackson, all growed’ up now. Eric, I love your photos, and also appreciate your informative descriptions!
ReplyDeleteHave to say I tend to agree with some earlier comments that maybe food and shelter would have benefited them more. Otherwise, i'm sure it was interesting to see what inages they would produce.
ReplyDeleteThis is only a guess, but I thought about that, too, Babooshka, and I realized there are probably plenty of food/shelter programs in a city like Paris. (I could be wrong.) But arts programs? So I think it's a great idea. Feed souls as well as bellies. Souls can suffer great damage and it's hard to find a way out of homelessness once one falls in.
ReplyDeleteLynn, Michael!!! *runs up to give them a great big hug*
ReplyDeleteOh I've been so busy, mostly with Owen and school. You'll be happy to know that Owen is doing great in preschool (he just started in January and is already learning to read. Good lord!). And I'm well on my way to graduating with honors, so the time I've spent away from PDP has been for worthy causes. Still, I miss you guys terribly!!!
Oh Petrea, you said such lovely words. I think drinking wine with you would be dangerous to my philosophical self. Thanks for writing them here.
ReplyDeleteAnd Soosha, you are right. The time spent away sounds like it was worth it. Anyhow, try to stop in from time to time. Love the photo by the way!
Yes it's really good to see you Soosh' and the news of you and Owen doing so well is uplifting. Come back when you can! Lookin' good...!
ReplyDelete*blush* Thanks!
ReplyDeleteSoosha hi! This is a lovely photo of you, you look so good!
ReplyDeleteMichael, when we drink wine together it will be good for our philosophical selves, not dangerous at all.
ReplyDeletePleased to meet you, Soosha. I'm glad your time away has been fruitful.
You probably know this: Strangetastes has been photoblogging St. Louis for you and doing a good job. He's at http://saintlouismodailyphoto.blogspot.com/.
Thank you, Mon!
ReplyDeletePleased to meet you to, petrea! Strangetastes was actually doing STL long before I was, he does a fabulous job. Much better then I ever did!
beautiful picture, great idea!
ReplyDelete