A new photographic space devoted to the image-document opened in mid-September, 2010 near Paris’ Place de Clichy: the BAL, takes its namesake from the location¹s history as a famous dance hall during the roaring twenties. For its first exhibition series, Director Diane Dufour chose the anonymous streets of America as photographed by Bruce Gilden, Walker Evans, Lewis Baltz or Anthony Hernandez.

With more than 20,000 visitors, the exhibition was a unanimous success, as was the espresso, voted the best in Paris. For her second exhibition, Diane Dufour has taken a more intimate approach, inviting 5 photographers and video artists who have worked within the family circle. Five strange albums, some old, some well known, using different, even diametrically opposed dialects. They are axed around the central work signed by Alessandra Sanguinetti, “The Adventures of Gulle and Belinda and the Enigmatic Meaning of their Dreams”. The series began in 1999 and will continue as she is following the games and dreams of two teenagers who have since grown and become mothers, still participating in this photographic venture. In addition to this remarkable series, the largest in number, format, and color, are the small black and white prints by Emmet Gowin. The clearest Pictures were at first Strange (1965-1973), a series that began after his marriage to Edith and then stretched to the whole family, can perhaps be understood by this phrase by the photographer When everything in the picture seems obvious, it is up to us to reveal its meaning. Also present is the poetic and enigmatic series The family album of Lucybelle Crater, shot in two years by the ailing Ralph Eugene Meatyard. Two short films complement these albums, including My Sister² (2003), an homage by Erik Kessels in memory of his sister who died accidentally. And “Flat is Beautiful”, a film by Sadie Benning made in 1998. This autobiographical inspiration follows the life of Taylor, a young 12-year-old girl living with her mother and a homosexual roommate. In addition to these exhibitions, the bookstore, and the café Le Bal offers a vast selection of Debates and Seminars, and guided tours for schools and associations.
Bernard Perrine

BernardPerrine@Le-Photographe.net
Correspondant de l’Institut de France

LE BAL
6 Impasse de la Défense
75018 Paris
Wednesday to Friday, 12H-20H, Thursday to 22H
Saturday 11H-20H, Sunday 11H-19H