The great names were represented in an extremely el- egant scenographic path designed by Maud Martinot, enabling the theme of black and white to be examined from an aesthetic, formal and sensorial perspective: visual and graphic contrast effects, plays on shadow and light, textures captured across the entire palette of values from black to white through scales of grey. Special attention had been paid to the quality of the prints and the variety of techniques and photographic papers (pigment prints, gum bichromate, gelatin silver on baryta, etc.). The theme of black-and-white printing is also highlighted, as for a long time books and reviews were the primary vehicle for photographic creation. The curators goal was twofold: attract a broad audience while enabling the public to acquire a greater under- standing of this black-and-white aesthetic that has been a distinctive feature of photographic creation for over a century.
This exhibition was initially scheduled for the spring of 2020 but was then pushed back to the autumn due to the health crisis. Unfortunately it was not possible to open this exhibition to the public. It was nonetheless supported by the Fondation Louis Roederer. Given this situation, the Rmn Grand Palais decided to set up virtual tours online in early 2021 to enable the public to enjoy the exhibition anyway. State-of-the-art technology based on multiple 360-degree shots gave visitors a sense of immersion in the scenographic spaces, enabling them to get close up to the works on display. A live guided tour by an Rmn - Grand Palais guide gave the public the opportunity to ask questions and discover the exhibition through the guide's comments.
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