In part it’s the casual juxtaposition, the chance occurrence, the people that turn out when eighty major dealers from around the world bring their best to show. And then there is the undeniable fact that Paris Photo knows how to build a supporting program that turns the event into more. In just two years, Paris Photo Los Angeles has become the big must see show for photography lovers in LA. Staged once again on the Paramount Studios backlot streets and in some of its stages the show says “look, there are more places to show pictures then only on clean white walls”.
I admit to a bias here, I have spent a large part of my life working in movie studios and they always feel to me like home. But I don’t believe I’m alone in feeling the lovely reality slip that occurs when you walk down a New York street in Hollywood and the delicatessen turns out to be a book publisher. In any event, PPLA’s organizers have done a marvelous job of turning what at bottom must be a sales event into something much more. The special exhibitions, the screenings, the open atmosphere and the casual nature draw a diverse crowd who mingle with the photographers, curators, gallery owners and book publishers and perhaps over the afternoon they see a photograph that opens their eyes.
Two things struck me this year, the first is the remarkable health (at least I hope so) of photographic book publishing. There were countless opportunities to meet remarkable photographers and own a bit of their work for a pittance.
The second was the continuing evolution of art photography into mixed media as photographers used painting, collage and assemblage to create unique works that can’t really be seen on a computer screen. I’ve photographed a few of these to demonstrate that you won’t see what I saw on the wall…only a wraith or a simulacrum. The essential nature of this work includes surface and depth and the electronic screen does not provide that experience. I’ve written before about the second rate nature of viewing images made for direct viewing and this show only reinforces my feelings.
Finally, there is more here than you can properly take in even in a day. Like a good museum, the quantity and quality of work here requires time to experience. PPLA is a fitting tribute to the image in all its glory. Los Angeles is lucky to have Paris among its friends.
Photographs and story by Andy Romanoff – all rights reserved.
