Acclaimed photographer Christer Strömholm (1918-2002), though little known outside of Europe and his native Sweden, is considered one of the great photographers of the 20th century. His most renowned series of photographs are now on display at the International Center of Photography, marking the first presentation of Strömholm's work in an American museum.

The exhibit Les Amies de Place Blanche, originally published in 1983, is a journey deep into the red light district of Paris in the late 1950's - 1960's and focuses on young transgendered "ladies of night" who worked the streets of the Place Blanche district in hope of raising money to complete their gender transformation. The portraits both glamourous and gritty capture a sleazy yet stylish Paris long gone and recall the photography of Brassai with subjects in lush night scenes; lounging in hotel rooms, bars, and working the streets of Paris.

As Strömholm wrote in 1983: “These are images of people whose lives I shared and whom I think I understood. These are images of women—biologically born as men—that we call ‘transsexuals.’ As for me, I call them ‘my friends of Place Blanche.’ It was then—and still is—about obtaining the freedom to choose one’s own life and identity.”

Les Amies de Place Blanche is on view till September 2nd at ICP
The Book, now a cult classic, has also been reissued in English and French.

© Robert Heinecken,1988


This installation and "critical reassessment of photography's role in the avant garde" presents more than 250 works by approximately 90 artists, all of whom helped shape the role of photography in various defining movements, from Dada to Post-Conceptual Art. Works date from 1910 to the present and feature photographers such as Man Ray, László Moholy-Nagy, Aleksandr Rodchenko, Edward Ruscha, Martha Rosler, Bernd and Hilla Becher, and Philip-Lorca diCorcia to name a few.

ANDY WARHOL : PHOTOGRAPHER
PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE HEDGES COLLECTION
MARCH 1 - APRIL 21, 2012

Given how much he is still with us, it is hard to believe that Andy Warhol died 25 years ago. Yet the quarter of a century since his death has only affirmed his artistic genius and prescience. With his paintings now iconic emblems of twentieth century art and his aphorisms and insights now a part of the vernacular it would seem there are few stones in Warhol's oeuvre left unturned – yet his photography remains one of the least known aspects of his work.

This is ironic given how much of Warhol's work was photo based. And as Warhol told an interview in 1963, "The reason I'm painting this way is because I want to be a machine". In Warhol's photography – he became the machine. His photographs present an opportunity not only to see how much he experimented with medium and form, but to understand the vast range of his interests – from the biggest stars to the handsomest boys to the most mundane objects.



© Andy Warhol


The exhibition Andy Warhol: Photographer comprised of 143 unique prints is the first gallery show to focus on all the varieties of Warhol's photographic output.

FASHION, LUXURY
MONEY & POWER

Beginning March 24th, The Grand Palais in Paris is set to hold a major exhibit of legendary photographer Helmut Newton’s life work. Since Newton’s death in 2004, there has been no retrospective of his photography in France, though he did much of his work there, particularly for French Vogue. This major retrospective will feature more than 200 photographs, mostly originals and vintage prints made under the photographer’s direct supervision.

“Provocative, sometimes shocking, Newton’s work tried to capture the beauty, eroticism, humor, and sometimes violence that he sensed in the social interaction within the familiar worlds of fashion, luxury, money and power,” the museum informs.

Aside from his more recognizable work, other realms of his art will also be featured, as well as a documentary film entitled, Helmut by June, made by the late artist's wife June Newton, also a photographer and the designer of this exhibition. For a preview for what's in store at The Grand Palais click more below.