Lieux et Memoire de la Grande Guerre
Lieux et Memoire de la Grande Guerre
John Foley and The Association LCDLM " Les Champs de la Me'moire " will be displaying
black and white photographics representing the ruins and remains left by the Great
War in the landscapes of the West front, running from the North Sea to Alsace
(Flanders, Artois, La Somme, le Chemin des Dames, Champagne, Verdun).
The cataclysm of the Great War was the tragic event which dramatically gave birth to
the XXth century and the modern era. About ten million people coming from different
countries died in that war that unbalanced the world and the mentalities.
This exhibition is the opportunity to remind us the huge collective sacrifice. The
images enlighten History that comes to us throughout the scars on the ground and in
the inner earth. Those unusual forms and remains in the landscapes are part of the
common European Legacy and Memory of all the people and beyond that of the new
generation.
The ruins, landscapes represented in John Foley's photographics are the rests of
fortresses, memorials and cemeteries, but also remains, tracks, left in the earth,
drawing of trenches underground, craters in fields, partially modeled by nature and
the course of time. These scars are legible still and strongly suggestive of what
all the soldiers and people there were able to live and to suffer.
The phototographics (40x50cm and 30x40cm) will be displayed accompanied by the texts
written by Anne Roze, a useful information that allows a specific look at the images
giving a whole sense and meaning to the landscapes presented during this exhibition.
John Foley is the founder and manager of the photo-agency "Opale" located in Paris
and specializing in writers' portraits, he has also participated in the publication
of the book "The Places of the Great War " (1996. Ed de la RMN), He is the
photographer co-author with Anne Roze of the book "Les champs de la me'moire" (1998.
Ed du Chene), with Alain-Gilles Minella " Sur les pas de Jeanne d'Arc" (1999. Ed.
Tallandier).
John Foley's photographics were displayed in 1998 "Les champs de la Me'moire", "Les
paysages du chemin des Dames" in 2001
In 2002 an exhibition called "Je n'en reviens pas" was held in Marrocco (Marrakesh )
and in 2003 in France (Bordeaux).
Opening reception: February 1st, 6pm
Galerie Mamia Bretesche'
48, rue Chapon - Paris