Created in 1964 by Jean and André Fage, founders of the Paris-Val de Bièvre Photoclub and the French Museum of Photography, the Bièvres Photo Fair is a rich and creative international event which reinvents itself every year, always with the same energy and enthusiasm but with a new and different angle each time. Over the course of a weekend, the Fair attracts amateurs and professionals interested in all aspects of photography.
A unique second hand and antiques market
The market is the veritable heart of the Fair, with over 200 exhibitors, one third of them from outside France. Here you can find almost anything related to photography. A wide and varied collection of articles reflects the history of photography over almost two centuries. Some are rare and will attract the discriminating collector (stereoscopes, praxinoscopes, view cameras, verascopes, glyphoscopes, old camera bodies, books and prints); others are “vintage” items that may be used for decoration. One of the features of the market is that it displays yesterday’s equipment that can be used for photographing today’s world (photo paper, film, Polaroid), proving that photography is an ever evolving technology.
Although the Fair specializes in still photography, cinematography is not neglected. Here one can find movie posters, cameras, film stills, etc. Each booth is manned by a salesperson able to provide expert advice or to recount the history of the articles for sale. This makes the Fair a place for meeting, chatting, exchanging experiences in more than one language.
New this year: Market of Photo Equipment and Services
The latest photography equipment and accessories by reputed brands will be offered for sale.
Olivier Culmann, guest of honour of the 2018 Fair
Each year, with the support of the Bièvres municipal authorities, the Fair holds an exhibition showcasing the work of a well-known photographer who also leads a guided tour of his or her work, explaining his particular approach to photography.
In 2018, special guest Olivier Culmann will be exhibiting two series of photos, the first entitled Around, New York 2001-2002; the second Watching TV. Previous guests of honour include: Jane Evelyn Atwood, Claude and John Batho and Isabel Muñoz.
Olivier Culmann has been working in photography since 1992 and since 1996 has been a member of the Tendance Floue collective. He was awarded the Niépce Prize in 2017 for his lifetime achievement. His work explores the themes of freedom and conditioning. During the 1990’s he travelled to various countries to photograph, together with Mat Jacob, The Worlds of School, a study of the school system, its restrictions and the rebellion it may provoke. His work questions the existence or absence of choice, always hovering on a fine line between absurdity and derision. His series: Life of a Chicken is even more overtly humorous. It brings two different worlds face to face: battery-raised chickens and recent army conscripts.
Beginning in the year 2000 he has been experimenting with medium formats, searching for a new dimension, and in the aftermath of 9/11 he began shooting Around, New York 2001-2002. In this series of photographs, he concentrates on the spectators after the event, Americans and tourists alike, come to stare at the ruins of the World Trade Center. Their expressions, caught by the photographer, reflect our own shock and incomprehension.
Then he moved to India, Morocco and the United States to photograph television viewers, showing the way they react in mind and body to world events filtered by the TV screen. Watching TV represents one stage of his exploration of the viewer being viewed.
More exhibitions including Jean-Michel Molina, Grégory Bozec and local photographers’ work will be presented at the French Museum of Photography (Musée français de la photographie), at Mille Feuilles and on the streets of Bièvres.
The 11th Bièvres Encounters
Talks, debates and demonstrations will be taking place, moderated by guest speakers recognised in their respective fields of photography: travel, history, equipment, digital photography, new and emerging processes, graphics.
500 metres of photo hangings on Sunday
The Artists’ Market, first held in 1964, was the starting point of the Fair. This year there will be over a hundred photographers showing their work individually or in groups. A jury of experts, chaired, this year, by Tizziana and Gianni Baldizonne, will visit the exhibition and award numerous prizes on Sunday afternoon, including the Jean and André Fage Grand Prize. Many photographers have had their careers launched by being awarded one of these prizes.
Events for everyone
The Fair also offers a number of events such as free portraits taken in our pop-up studio, fantasy frames and cut-outs, book signings, portfolio reviews (free of charge, reservation required). The Bièvres municipal authorities also organize a photo contest open to residents of Bièvres and members of Bièvres-based photography clubs. Winning photos will be displayed in the streets of Bièvres throughout the month of June. The Paris Val-de-Bièvre Photoclub will also be organising a contest on the theme of “The Fair”.
Opening Hours: Saturday June 2 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday June 3 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
(Artists’ Market Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.). Admission is free.
More information at www.foirephoto-bievre.com
Information
multiple venues
Place de la Mairie, 91570 Bièvres, France
June 02, 2018 to June 03, 2018
