Exhibits | The Covered Arcades of Paris
Event Information
Feb 1 - Feb 29, 2012
At
The French Cultural Center
Map/Directions
Free Event
This event is presented in English.
Event Description
A photographic survey of the pedestrian interior arcades of Paris, by David Pendery.
Artist's statement:
This exhibition, Covered Arcades of Paris, has as its theme the sky-lighted, interior pedestrian arcades that were fashionable urban destinations during the first half of the nineteenth century.
Most of Paris at that time lacked any semblance of modern sanitation, paving, or utilities, and these arcades provided an attractive refuge from the elements, offering, for the first time, public gas lighting and heated spaces. A society developed within them, as people came to stroll, shop, eat in restaurants, browse, and linger.
The urban renewal that came in the later part of the nineteenth century spelled the demise of most of these arcades, however, and today fewer than twenty such covered arcades remain. Many of these arcades were threatened by deterioration and demolition not long ago, but have been saved and restored as neighborhoods recognized their value. A precursor of today’s department stores and shopping malls, the covered arcades of Paris retain a flavor of nineteenth century ambience and remain impressive historic urban landmarks.
Paris has been a favorite photographic subject for me since living there as a teenager in the sixties. Having witnessed many changes in the city over that time, a main interest of mine has been to document architecturally historic locations which have been threatened, such as the markets at Les Halles.
The photographic techniques used in this exhibition include extensive computer graphics to digitally manipulate and combine multiple exposures into a single image. The very wide angle views, recorded with High Dynamic Range tonal techniques, help capture the sense of space and light that one feels in each location.
Art Opening: Wednesday, February 8 - Exhibit: February 1 - 29
Picture above: Galerie Vivienne
