National Geographic magazine is celebrating 125 years of expeditions across the world in an exhibition at the mineralogy gallery in the Museum of Natural History in Paris, a space usually closed to the public. The selection highlights the most emblematic shots of the monthly magazine: key expeditions of explorers like Dian Fossey, Jacques Cousteau, etc. to iconic portraits like that of Colonel Massoud by Reza or even the young Afghan girl by Steve McCurry.
The history of the National Geographic began in 1888 when a small adventurous group of scientists and explorers embarked on discovering the world, its wonders, and its mysteries. They would march through inaccessible jungles, reach the poles, dive into the abysses, conquer the Himalayas, discover the secrets of the animal world, look towards the stars. Very quickly, they recounted and photographed what they saw in a modest bulletin that would become National Geographic. After more than 125 years of existence, the magazine is distributed in seventy-five countries, in thirty-three languages in thirty-six different editions.
Transmitting knowledge of the planet through photography was always the intention of National Geographic. This mission especially allowed the magazine to stand out as a photographic reference, even to the point of making the practice evolve, particularly concerning animals and the underwater world.
The design of the exhibition was thought of as a fascinating journey where the visitors could immerse themselves in each photo and video thanks to innovative and interactive means. The public can wander through six specific, themed spaces: geographic exploration, research of ancient worlds, exploring two key expeditions (the Yellow Cruise and the Megatransect expedition), emblematic photographs from National Geographic, the animal world and the journey of two women (Jane Goodall and Dian Fossey), iconic portraits (Colonel Massoud by Reza and the young Afghan girl by Steve McCurry). Excerpts from films and videos also punctuate the path of the exhibition, like that made by Leonardo di Caprio or even the photographer Joel Sartore about his work on endangered animals.
La légende du National Geographic
From May 3 through September 18, 2017
Galerie de minéralogie, Jardin des plantes
36 rue Geoffroy-Saint-Hilaire
75005 Paris
France
