Almost 30 years ago a morning in August ,the police of the 16th arrondissement discovered the body of a jogger, he had no identification on him and it took three days to found out it was Pierre Houlès. He was 40 years old and was the most flamboyant and charming photographer of his generation. It was him who in the middle 60’s open the way to New York for french photographers. He was Jean Paul Goude accomplice,and helped laying out images in the early years. Almost no one today knows Pierre. We are a few of his friends to remember him. So when Claude Guillemin convinced the galerie Myriam Bouagal to exhibit him, we decided to give him this tribute.
Jean-Jacques Naudet
I met Pierre in 1964 during our military service in the film department of the army in the fort d’Ivry near Paris, Pierre was in the photo service and I was in the projection room. We fast became friends and in the evening went out together in Paris ans then slept at home.As my daily work took me about two hours celebrating the good effects of martini with my chief, I spend the rest of the day with Pierre Henriot or Jacques Denarmaud, Pierre Houlès,and a few others. I discovered photography and became more and more passionate.
At the end of our army stint, and after a few months spend between photo seminar and partying in the evenings; Pierre very convencively explained to me that the best photographers were in New York.
That was the best to learn
That he wanted to go.
And that it would be a good thing for me to go along.
His sister Valerie was living in New York and she found a sublet for us for a few months at 54th and 6th Avenue. February 7th 1967 we had our non immigrant visa and left to discover NY, without Pierre I would never have become a photographer.
His sister was taking care of us , as she did afterward for many others. That gave us a feeling of security. We were young and the contrast then between Paris and New York was much stronger.
New York welcomed us with generosity and being assured that by working hard , we could win. New York pushes you to the top it can also let you down.Considering the general agitation Pierre was an exception,he lead a quiet and organised life, taking his time to observe life around him, reading the newspapers every day, keeping informed of every thing happening in town.It was him who organised our week end, concerts exhibitions, museums, the beach, demonstrations against the war in Vietnam, or for the legalization of marijuana, frisbee games in Central Park, he offered and we followed.
After a few month on 54th street we went downtown towards 20th street and cheaper rents. We had some hard time what, between roommates and weekly rentals at the Gramercy Park Hotel, with our photo material at the pawn shop to pay the rent.
I was second assistant and made $50 a week. Pierre was freelance assistant and made more money. Pierre was insterested neither by glory or money.
Whe had known Isi Veleris who had his own studio on Park avenue south were we squatted for many years. After a difficult childhood ( he had seen his parents leave for the camps)he had emmigrated to the US with a small pension from the german government, may be the reason why he was so generous, we were a few such as the artists we mixed with in the evening at Max’Kansas city Chamberlain, Wharhol, Ultra Violet, Jim Morrison we all simply desired to exist and express ourselves.
Then in 1969 I worked for Glamour, and Pierre was a regular assistant to Bill Silano for Harpers Bazaar. We started making money and moved to Canergie Hall. Bill Cunningham subleted one of his studio the 1215 and we paid $90 each. Canergie Hall was a small world very few people lived there. Antonio Lopez and Juan, Art Kane, Edita Sherman and her photo studio and Bill Cunningham cycling in the hallways were you crossed Ballet dancers and models. Next to the concert hall were danse , theater, singing classes also photo studios,and art studios. It had a strong artistic dynamic. It was the beginning of an easy life, pleasant, fascinating involved in many events.
1969 The man on the moon which from New York surprised very little , so many things were happening, sexual liberation, music festivals in Central Parks, Woodstock and many others around New York. Pierre became friend with Antonio and Jean Paul Goude then associate editor at Esquire with Jean Lagarrigue. Pierre worked a lot for Esquire for Antonio and mixed with the hispanic gang of friends of Antonio. Antonio was always surrounded by a group of models he used for his drawings Dona Jordan, Jane forth, Cathy Dahmen, Jerry Hall and many more. Sometimes we went back to Paris to be with friends again and rediscover food. At that time more French arrived in New York photographers Hairdressers, make up artists, Friends Patrick Demarchelier, Mike Reinhardt, Duc, Jean Creuse, Gilles Bensimon, Jacques Davis, Guy Bourdin, Guy Le Baube, André Carrara,Louise Despointes Viviane Fauny, Christie Brinkley I Forgot a few I hope they will excuse me.We were called the French Maffia in the small world of fashion. I cannot give you a list of Pierre many female conquest they are too many of them and I only knew a few of them. We went our own way professionally which separated us But all our souvenirs are still very much present.
Claude Guillaumin
