This week in Paris, Gagosian raised the curtain on “Avedon & Me” at Paris Photo 2024, a glamorous and dramatic exhibition on view through November 10. Proficiently curated by the visionary Tyler Mitchell, legendary photographs from the eminent Richard Avedon are placed into radiant dialogue with Mitchell’s own visually arresting creations. The artist and curator’s photographic masterpieces have become known across the world for their perceptive beauty and enthralling mystery, pairing wondrously in this moment with Avedon’s 1960s treasures.
Installation view of “Avedon & Me,” courtesy of Paris Photo.
Mitchell Finds Inspiration in Avedon’s Meaningful 1964 Collaboration with James Baldwin
The 1960s offered a pivotal landscape of social change and awareness in which Avedon deeply investigated the light and dark of humanity. A meaningful partnership with James Baldwin at the time produced the beloved book Nothing Personal (1964), which marries the visual artistry of Avedon and the lyrical words of Baldwin into a singular meditation on race and identity in the contemporary world.
The ever-inspired Mitchell holds this collaborative endeavor close to his heart, fascinated by the poetic juxtaposition of luminaries and everyday people alike. Here a patchwork of American life unfolds, a forever snapshot of that moment’s refinement, customs, and obstacles. Mitchell deftly utilizes these same compelling motifs in his own courageous practice, focusing on the subtleties of Black culture and relationships. The many shades of community, freedom, and serenity dance through the artist’s magnetic pieces, evoking Avedon’s own collage-like style.
Tyler Mitchell, “The Ceremony,” 2020, courtesy of the artist and Paris Photo.
Energized by Gagosian New York’s “Avedon 100” Anniversary Presentation Last Year
Last year, Gagosian New York unveiled a tremendous “Avedon 100” anniversary presentation, for which Mitchell selected a profound work to spotlight—Avedon’s mirror self-portrait alongside James Baldwin from 1946. This vibrant work of fellowship stimulated Mitchell to pursue a shimmering conversation with the late photographer grounded in intimate, human storytelling.
“Wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Mario Niles, City Hall, New York, June 3, 1961,” Photograph by Richard Avedon, © The Richard Avedon Foundation, courtesy of Paris Photo.
Portraiture from Both Photographers Evokes Tradition, Community, and Optimism
Imaginative and stirring use of portraiture is highlighted throughout the exhibition. A Glorious Wedding and Blessings to Come (2021) by Mitchell centers on the confidence and grace of a young couple perched on city steps, beaming with familiar devotion and engaging optimism. In parallel, the Debutante Cotillion series by Avedon captures a majestic 1963 Black cotillion set in Louisiana. Tones and textures of nobility in attire and attitude champion the community’s ardent, long-standing values. Throughout the expressive show in Paris, rich details of tradition and integrity newly bloom within the works of both star creatives, forming an eternal bond between them.
Tyler Mitchell, “Communion in a Landscape,” 2023, courtesy of the artist and Paris Photo.
“The Generals of the Daughters of the American Revolution, DAR Convention,” Photograph by Richard Avedon, © The Richard Avedon Foundation, courtesy of Paris Photo.
