Paris Photo Part II

© Laura Noble

Dearest readers, I have bad news, my other photos from Paris Photo have been destroyed by i-photo! So this is the last of them saved here. However, the next blog I will source the photography favourites to talk about.

© Laura Noble

So here is the amazing venue of the Grand Palais, what a place. It is so impressive I am still in awe of it. Unlike the previous venue it is easier to find your way around with helpful gallons to pinpoint your location for the inevitable meet-ups with friends & colleagues. 

©Anni Leppälä

Just before dark (girl with red ribbon), 2012

53 x 77 cm 

One of the first things to catch my eye was this lovely work by Anni Leppälä, of the Helsinki School. The ribbon reminded me of one of my favourite paintings by Ingres, see below:

Jean-August-Dominique Ingres  (1780 - 1867)
Comtesse d'Haussonville, 1845
oil on canvas
51 7/8 x 36 1/4 in. (131.8 x 92.1 cm) 

I interpreted this painting myself focusing on the ribbon, both in her hair & reflected in the mirror behind her.

© Laura Noble

Comtesse d'Haussonville 2m²

Oil on canvas

2 panels 1 x 2 meters

This is just the left panel, the work is 1 x 2 meters, as is the right hand panel not shown here & the same size, so the complete work is 2 x 2m.

© Laura Noble (detail)

Comtesse d'Haussonville 2m²

Oil on canvas

The ribbon is highly seductive for obvious reasons, however there are many theories about the use of red in art which are worth further discussion. 

©Gerhard Richter

Betty

Oil on canvas

102 x 72 cm

The other obvious correlation was with Gerhard Richter, notably this work. I do prefer Ingres though as his sitter is a young female with a strong character, direct & confident. I also am not a huge fan of photorealist painting. If you want a photo, take a picture! (Ooh have I gone too far here?) Maybe Leppälä is influenced by both, with the patterned jumper & red ribbon...

Perhaps the art world (& its clients) prefers their women submissive? Discuss...

© Laura Noble

So after a wonderful few days, lots of parties, openings & a L A Noble Gallery party at the apartment (thanks to those who came, it was emotional) my last evening in Paris was spent with two wonderful photographer's Øyvind Hjelmen & Helén Petersen in a charming place for duck leg & chips as only the French can make. (All cooked on the little grill behind our amazing owner/waiter/entertainer pictured below) The drop ceiling was in the  classic Parisian style, much like the 'Amelie' cafe last year. 

© Laura Noble

Although the food was average, the evening was top notch & the first chance to try & wind down from another crazy Paris Photo. Loved his braces, why don't more people wear them anymore? So much nicer than belts I say... 

© Laura Noble

Again the red was prevelant in my choice of photographic subject, telling...

© Laura Noble

The view from outside was pretty special too! Nice to have such a place a minute away. 

© Laura Noble

Øyvind Hjelmen & Helén Petersen

Such civilised characters, (don't be deceived we are all unhinged on the inside) have a nice glass (or two) it was a shame to go back & pack. 

© Laura Noble

So for one last peek, my favourite picture of the whole week through the peep hole in the apartment door. I will find some more pictures if I can salvage files of the party as well as the amazing deli owner who provided the catering for the party at the apartment & helped carry all the produce up 3 flights of stairs along with 2 neighbours who dropped by. Who say Parisian's aren't friendly! 

Paris Photo Part I

I arrive in Paris at night & before entering the apartment take a picture of the courtyard looking up into the night sky, a lovely sight...

The next day, Wednesday is the opening day of Paris Photo 2012. A crisp November afternoon we approach the Grand Palais. Pictures of the almighty are on display for all to see, David Lynch need only show his hair to be recognised in an instant. 

A very short film of the wheel, so lovely.

All the photo's & video here on the blog are taken with my phone by the way, so don't expect miracles...I am but a mere painter after all...who wears silly jumpers...

So, back to PP (for short) & most of the opening afternoon was spent bumping into oodles of people & seeing very little photography to be quite honest. However, that is half the fun. The website had launched the day before, so word was out on the photographic grapevine for those who had missed the Unseen fair. 

Amongst the fabulous people the wonderful Vee Speers, whose work I bought many years ago & has since become a very good friend. She lives in Paris & as luck would have it just minutes away from the apartment I was staying in. Here she is with the lovely David Fahey from L A. 

Up in the VIP lounge Fariba & myself compare shoe sizes, her a 3, me a 7 1/2, am I big or is she small? Who cares, nice picture, good purple floor! Both 'on trend' ? I have no idea.

So the time had come to leave & head out to Vee's for her traditional dinner party. Needless to say it was fantastic, thanks Vee. The fact there there are no pictures of this event goes to show how much fun everyone was having. By the way the picture above is taken for Emily Allchurch, for those who know her work you will understand. For those who don't, see this link. 

Thursday now & after a very late start recovering from the night before I headed into the fair. As before more friends to bump into including Bruce Davidson & his wife Emily. A lovely hour was spent talking about relatives & their achievements this year including a book by Emily about one the bikers in the Brooklyn gang that Bruce photographed many years ago. 1959 in fact, wow that was a  long time ago. Let's not dwell on that, the work is a fabulous that's enough in my books.

So here is Bruce & yours truly discussing the book & life of 'Bobby' or Bob Powers as told to Emily. 

Here is the cover & info if you want to buy it. It's on my Christmas list! Can't wait to read it.

So wandering back home we passed a lovely Hotel with blooming flowers in every window box, real or fake who cares, they look great! 

Then time for a quick change before attending the Prix Pictet Prize show at Gallerie Vanessa Quang. Dinner followed then another late night. So to bed with more about Paris Photo in my next blog & the photographs that I loved to come...