American photojournalist from the 1930s and 50s, famous for his black and white photos of nightlife in New York, Weegee takes this nickname as a nod to the spirit board, the Ouija board. Because he proclaims himself a “psychic photographer” with the 3rd eye.
Paris.
Hunter of scoops, connected to the police radio frequency to be the first on the scene, he earns his living with press photography.
He works at night on the flash on news items, murders, fires, accidents. Chalk tracing is his specialty, but also salad baskets.
He shoots those who lower their hats over their faces so as not to be seen, like transvestites who show off.
Then in the 1940s, he headed to Hollywood and set his sights on socialites and stars. We note the contrast between his flash photos in New York and his photos manipulated in the lab in his second phase of professional life.
His last exhibition in Paris was in 2007 at the Dina Vierny Galerie. This spotlight at the Cartier-Bresson Foundation, which is richer, shows several collections.
▼ Weegee’s “Autopsy of the Show” exhibition
Cartier-Bresson Foundation
Until 19 May 24
79 Street Archives, 75003 Paris
Tuesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 19 p.m.
Tel: 01 40 61 50 50
Text: Valérie Rodrigue
05.01.24
