CITY OF LIGHT
JÉRÔME GALLAND X MATTHEW MCCORMICK
PARIS DESIGN WEEK, 2020
After ten years photographing the works of the antique departments of the Louvre Museum, Jérôme Galland devoted himself to his editorial work, press, communication and advertising - regularly collaborating with AD Magazine, Le Monde, Hermes, LVMH, Printemps, Bon Marché and others.
We invited him to be our eyes on the ground during Paris Design Week. Scroll down to read our interview with Jérôme and explore the way light falls across the city through his lens.
MATTHEW McCORMICK: You started your career at the Louvre Museum - did your documentation of history’s greatest artists impact your creative outlook?
JÉRÔME GALLAND: Before the Louvre, I worked as a B&W printer in a photo lab. There I learned how much of a photographer’s work is done in post-processing. To achieve the desired image there is lots of room for manipulation.
In the Louvre there were so many antique departments and more objects than paintings. Shooting them gave me the opportunity to learn how to work with lights, and to remain humble in front of a statue of a pharaoh.
MATTHEW McCORMICK: What drew you to capture these particular views of Paris for our collaboration?
JÉRÔME GALLAND: I’ve been living in Paris for more than 30 years. Every time I cross the Seine River - even since my first day here - I am reminded of how terribly lucky I am to live in this country, calling Paris my home. My goal was to capture the beauty in our every day, which is still easy to see and to celebrate - even during these challenging times.
MATTHEW McCORMICK: Which of the images in our series speaks to you most about the state of Paris right now?
JÉRÔME GALLAND: The images with face masks and bikes are a true glimpse into the Paris of now. With lockdown taking so much freedom away from us, riding a bike through the city brings back that powerful feeling. At the same time, the masks are a constant reminder of the fear that so many still feel.
MATTHEW McCORMICK: What unique opportunities does this moment in time offer you, creatively?
JÉRÔME GALLAND: It was amazing to have spent a full day as a guest in my own city! It afforded me the opportunity to try some new angles, search for unseen details, and most importantly break my old habits to bring back some exoticism. Thanks for that!
MATTHEW McCORMICK: Once the current restrictions end in Paris, what is your next dream destination?
JÉRÔME GALLAND: I’d love to go back to Kyoto or Tokyo, or really anywhere in Japan. I look forward to walking aimlessly on city streets with my camera because trying to get lost is the best way to explore.
To view more of Jérôme Galland’s work, visit his website or follow him on instagram.