Paris Trip, Day 1

“As I can’t think of a suitable excuse for not writing to you sooner, let’s just say ‘better late than never’, and move on from there.” – Hunter S. Thompson

I realize it has been eight months since my last blog entry, and I am severely overdue.  I originally started this blog with the intention of making a post every week, a goal in which I have failed miserably.  So, without further ado, let’s back to it, shall we?

In March of 2012, Joel-Peter Witkin contacted me about the possibility of joining him in Paris, France for a week in order to film him at some major events in his life. Witkin was getting ready to debut his latest volume of work at Baudoin Lebon’s gallery.  Along with the new gallery showing, there was also a retrospective exhibition at the Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF), where his new book, “Heaven or Hell”, was to be released. Add to that, he was scheduled for a book signing at “Art Paris Art Fair”.  This would be a great opportunity for my crew (Ernesto Galan and Nickolas Rossi) and I to capture some amazing footage for the “Joel-Peter Witkin: An Objective Eye” documentary… How could I say no?

What can I say about Paris that hasn’t already been written by so many great writers before me?  Truth be told, Paris left me speechless.  I had always hoped that one day I would be fortunate enough to make a trip to Paris, and now after all this time, I still can’t believe it happened.  I simply fell in love with the place and I can’t wait to get back there.

First thing on the agenda after we arrived in Paris was the opening of the exhibition at the BnF.   This was quite an event, as there were 45 engravings from the Renaissance to the twentieth century displayed in counterpoint to 85 of Witkin’s photographs.  It was truly magical to see the works of Witkin paired up with such master printmakers as Dürer, Goya, Ensor, Picasso, Rops and many others.  Aside from seeing Witkin’s work in a book or in his studio, this was the first time I had ever seen his photographs in this kind of proper setting, and to see the original prints up close, it had a profound effect on me.  Another thing that I found interesting about that night was the number of people who were in attendance.  The rough estimation was somewhere between 2,000 to 3,000 people, with a line stretching down the block and around the corner.  It was only then that I began to understand how much the French embrace the works of Witkin. 

Joel had been present throughout the whole exhibition, stopping and talking to many of the guest, discussing his technique, and answering questions.  Afterwards he was set up at a table and began to sign books for the eager crowd who had been waiting in line, a line that was rapidly growing.  But Witkin handled it with grace and spent a good deal of time with each guest, as he signed their books, and exchanged small conversations.  The line came to an end, and it was time to call it a night.  I went to bed that night with a sense of disbelief, as the first full day of filming in Pairs, went off without a hitch.  As I suffered with jetlag, I began to wonder if it was real.  

The week had only just begun, and the crew and I were scheduled to wake up early the next morning to spend the day at the Baudoin Lebon Gallery, in preparation for the premiere of Witkin’s latest works later that evening.

Stay Tuned for Paris Trip Day 2