Musée des Arts Décoratifs : Histoires de photographies / Museum of Decoratives Arts: Histories of Photographies

 

In September of last year, I went on a short trip to Paris to see some friends of mine and relax before the beginning of university. 

During one afternoon, my friends had to leave early so I found myself alone in Paris at 3 in the afternoon with nothing to do, so I spontanously decided to go see an exhibition that could be linked to our course. After some research, I decided to go to the Museum of Decoratives Arts to see ' Histories of Photographies', an exhibition using never seen before archives.

Originally called the Central Union of fine arts, this museum is the centre of French photography as it considers itself as a major actor in 'the recognition of photography in the french art scene' (MAD, 2021). Presented in chronological order with hundreds of photographs we see how French photography came about starting from 1852 until the 2000s. 

I was really delighted to have found this exhibition as it was linked to the first topic we studied in DMF : Photography.  To me the name 'Histories of Photographies' perfectly encapsulate the feel of this exhibition : with hundreds of photographs we of course see how photography came about, but also how the world as a whole evolved. 

We see the representation of many countries throughout history and their stories told

through the lens of countless international artists such as Robert Doisneau or Madame d'Ora, giving each photo a unique story and perspective, different 'Histories' of 'Photographies'.

Moreover, while being an historic and geographic exhibition it's also a discussion on the usage and message of photography as a medium : 'political, economic, juridic, artistic or documentarian' (MAD, 2021), one of the many crucial step towards globalisation the meeting with 'the other and the elsewhere', an exchange of cultures (MAD, 2021).

To conclude, this exhibition was splendid not only by its visuals but also its scenography thematically organised. The fascinating journey of photography shines here capturing histories from Japan to Paris to Uzbekistan and many more, opening a window towards the past. 

References:

Collas, J. (between 1925 and 1930)? Double portrait de mannequins en cire. [Photograph]. np. Available at: https://madparis.fr/Histoires-de-photographies-Collections-du-Musee-des-Arts-Decoratifs (Accessed 28th February 2022)

Musée des Arts Décoratifs. (2021). Histoire de photographies. Collection du Musée des Arts Décoratifs. Available at: https://madparis.fr/Histoires-de-photographies-Collections-du-Musee-des-Arts-Decoratifs (Accessed 28th February 2022)

Nadar, P. (1890). Entrée du mausolée de Shadi Mulk-Aka dans la nécropole Chakhi Zinda Samarkand. [Photograph]. Uzbekistan.  Available at: https://madparis.fr/Histoires-de-photographies-Collections-du-Musee-des-Arts-Decoratifs (Accessed 28th February 2022)

Tiffany, L-C. (between 1880-1890). Mains et éventail. [Photograph]. United-States. Available at: https://madparis.fr/Histoires-de-photographies-Collections-du-Musee-des-Arts-Decoratifs (Accessed 28th February 2022)

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