In pictures: Paris Photo 2017

The 21st edition of Paris Photo took place over the weekend bringing 180 international galleries under the same extravagant roof at Grand Palais. We managed to get down to Champs-Élysées to see the infamous exhibition in the flesh. 

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Grand Palais, with it’s glass-domed roof and Beaux-Arts architecture, was transformed into a series of mini galleries as far as the eye could see. It was quite an exceptional and intimidating sight. This year’s Paris Photo was imagined through the eyes of the iconic designer, Karl Lagerfeld. Stickers with Lagerfeld’s signature were placed next to his favourite images.

From Berlin’s KOW gallery to Tehran’s Silk Road, from microscopic photography to mammoth landscapes, the sheer breadth of work on display was phenomenal. While picking our favourite pieces would seem like a cruel task – given the vast talent on display – some did catch-the-eye, including the works of Tobias Zielony with his dreamy, neon images of adolescents from his Maskirovka, 2016 series.

Alfredo Jaar’s Reflections installation at Jean-Kenta Gathier was particularly bemusing, with two thin mirrors at 90 degree angles to each other. When confronting the mirrors it was impossible to catch one’s full reflection without being cut in half – creating a rather frustrating situation, similar to a dog trying to chase its tail!

Malik Sidibé’s Mali Twist paid homage to Bamako’s youth during the 1960s and 70s. A Karl Lagerfeld favourite was the work of Patti Smith and her images of Paris, England and Spain.

It wasn’t just the work on display that secured our attention, but the diversity of visitors to Paris Photo — from young and aspiring photographers to families. It is an unmatched event in the photography calendar, and this year didn’t fail to live up to the expectations!

For more information on Paris Photo click here