“Christer Strömholm: Les Amies de Place Blanche,” - This is exhibition is on view through Sept. 2 at the International Center of Photography.
Les Amies de Place Blanche is a photo essay documentation published in 1983 by Christer Strömholm (1918–2002). When it was published, it raised serious issues about sexuality and gender. In the essay book Strömholm said, "It was then—and still is—about obtaining the freedom to choose one's own life and identity."
This photo exhibition presents 40 of the more than 140 pictures that appeared in this book.
To explain who this Christer Strömholm is.. He was one of the great photographers of the 20th century. In 1959, he moved to Paris and settled in Place Blanche in the center of the city's red-light district. There he became friends with young transgender males struggling to live as women and to raise money for sex-change operations. In those times in Paris, "these women" were socially persecuted (by law) and they were left with little choice but to sell their bodies (as a last resort).
While sharing friendships with these women, Christer Strömholm developed compassion towards these women. Also, by publishing his essay book, he tried to emphasize the cruelty these women had to endure in those times.
This exhibition is the first presentation of Strömholm's work in an American museum.
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| photos by Christer Strömholm |
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