As a W MAGAZINE PANELIST I recently had the pleasure of attending the Director’s Preview of renowned photographer, Christer Stromholm’s LES AMIES DE PLACE BLANCHE. It premiered at the International Center for Photography in NYC on May 17 and will be open to the public from May 18-Sept 2. A big thank you goes out to W Magazine for the invitation. For those of you who are not familiar with the photographers’ work, he snapped black and white photos of transsexuals in Paris’ Red Light district, on the Moulin Rouge, in the 1960’s. If he were in NY at that time many say he would have been part of Andy Warhol’s factory scene. His photos drag the viewer or “voyeur” in right away. Their similarity to classic pin-up shots of the 1950’s and 60’s catch your eye and your gained knowledge that they are men peaks your interest. President de Gaulle outlawed,harassed and arrested these men for dressing as women forcing them further underground. Stromholm’s desire and drive to capture these images validated them in a time when it was unmentionable. This is the first time Stromholm’s work is being displayed in America. Funny, not much has changed since then, has it?
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What a cool exhibit!Great photos! Thanks for sharing!