Delpire & Cie at Maison Européenne de la Photographie

Brendan Seibel writing for VINGT PARIS photos by Robin Margerin

Robert Delpire is a living hero of photography whose achievements overwhelm the halls of the venerable Maison Européenne de la Photographie. Over fifty years of history are spread throughout four floors, encompassing an astonishing career which has included magazines and book publishing, films, curatorships and advertising more photos here.

In acknowledgement of the wealth of materials the exhibition has been segmented to reflect the different pursuits of Delpire. The second floor, divided between two gallery halls, represents his contributions to the world of photographic publishing. Original editions of Neuf, the periodical created in 1950 when Delpire was a 23-year-old medical student, share display cases and wall space with photographic collections and prints from some of the artists. Included are famous works by Henri-Cartier Bresson, selections from Robert Franks' seminal "Les Americains", as well as images by Robert Doisneau, George Rodger and others.

The second gallery focuses on Le Nouvel Observateur, a newspaper with whom Delpire collaborated during the 1970's. There are mounted reprints of photo-spreads as well as illustrated covers published
during Delpire's tenure. Additionally prints by Jacques Henri Lartigue and Sarah Moon are showcased. Delpire's work as a film producer, which he began in the 60's, receives its own corner. Movie posters and lobby cards illustrate his collaborations with directors William Klein, Sarah Moon and Jacques Monory.

On the third floor Delpire's social-consciousness is celebrated. In one room prints from photographers such as William Eugene Smith, Martine Franck and Jane Evelyn Atwood are hung alongside copies of Amnesty International calendars which Delpire has designed since 1988. Across the landing the gallery is dedicated to work by the Centre Nationale de la Photographie, an agency which Delpire steered for 15 years from it's inception in 1982. One of CNP's major accomplishments was the creation of the Photo Poche line, an inexpensive series of paperback photography books intended to broaden the audience of the art, and the walls are thick with editions and reproductions of the works contained.

Two smaller collections share the lower levels. Delpire published children's books, including the original French Edition of Maurice Sendak's "Where the Wild Things Are" and Andre Francois' "Les Larmes
de Crocodile". Illustrations adorn the walls and one corner of the room is reserved for viewing the animated version of Sendak's beloved creation. The ateliers showcase Delpire's advertising work, a career
which he began during the 60's to help fund his ambitious publishing and production projects.

Throughout the various rooms of the Maison video terminals play excerpts from the many shorts Delpire has produced over the years. The auditorium has daily screenings of the films "Le Montreur d'Images and "Henri Cartier-Bresson, Point d'Interrogation" both directed by Sarah Moon and "Qui êtes-vous Polly Maggoo?" and "Muhammad Ali the greatest, 1964 - 1974", both directed by William Klein.

In an effort to be thorough the MEP has created a challenging exhibition. The rooms are literally packed with little space to spare between display cabinets and walls. A small amount of visitors will quickly become a crowd, so arriving early in the day may be wise. This is also not a show tfor a flaneur, through in but an experience requiring contemplation and appreciation. Over 500 prints and 150 books on display, bilingual descriptions, videos and films - the lifetime of an extraordinary man made available to you in a single day. Savor it, and if necessary there's a cafe downstairs to re-energize midway through.

Maison Européenne de la Photographie

5/7 rue de Fourcy

Paris 4

Métro: Saint Paul or Pont Marie.

Open between 11 and 8pm until 24 January 2010

Comments

[Paul Seibel]

Once upon a time they had these mythical beings called copy editors who did things like check facts and names so they printed correct information, called facts: it's Seibel, not the anglenized Siebel...