Cool Photography Exhibit by Henri Semidei at Renaissance Hotel République

courtesy of Renaissance Hotel Republique

[Editor’s Note: Marriott’s upscale Renaissance brand opened a hotel near Place de la République in April 2016– not far from the Marais district and the Canal St. Martin. The arty hotel hosts regular artistic exhibitions, events and soirées, so even if you haven’t checked in for the night, you can make a date for an art-filled aperitif or meal. For more Paris hotel picks, see this article in our sister publication, France Today magazine.]

Photography featured in “Watercolor exhibit” by Henri Semidei

In Paris there is a seemingly endless list of museums and art galleries to discover and explore, but sometimes a smaller exhibit can be a welcome change of pace. Instead of a marathon trek through the Louvre, it can be refreshing to come into contact with art on a smaller scale, from contemporary local Parisians. One such exhibit, Watercolor, is currently running at Renaissance Hotel République featuring the work of photographer Henri Semidei. The hotel, tucked away in a small side street just off the Place de la République, is a newer addition to the neighborhood and manages to be modern and pristine without feeling sterile. In that sense it is an appropriate home for the work of Semidei whose imagery brings a peculiar kind of warmth to the busy Parisian streets he has chosen to capture.

In the 13 photographs in the exhibit, the running themes are all immediately apparent. In essence Semidei repeats the same image over and over again: a reflected angular view from a puddle of a Parisian sidewalk. This could be called formulaic, but the imagery is unique enough that the similarities feel more like a unifying structure than a repeated formula. An added benefit is that one can consider the works out of context and they can take on new meaning. For example, “La feuille en suspension” (“the leaf in suspension”) shows us that same refracted view of the city but the titular leaf, floating in the reflected pool of water, adds a surrealist element either missing or less prominent in the other photos.

Photography featured in “Watercolor exhibit” by Henri Semidei

Other photos such as “Le trench jaune” (“The yellow trench-coat”) and “L’homme en beige” (“The man in beige”) emphasize the human element. There is very distinct sensation in these photos because they highlight the paradoxical element of urban life where one is constantly in close proximity to people one barely knows. The people depicted in the exhibit feel like hazy memories, just out of reach, anonymous passers by in the labyrinth that is Paris. “La diagonale du pigeon” (“The diagonal of the pigeon”) also has a surrealist bent as it uses the reflected puddle so it appears as though the sky and the rooftops are cutting through a cobblestone street. There is also an appreciation for the varied architectural styles of Paris that separates it from the rest. Looking at these photos together it feels like variations on a theme, but considered separately the variations become simply worthwhile subjects.

courtesy of Renaissance Hotel Republique

The exhibit surrounds the hotel bar and most of the works are positioned behind coffee tables and chairs, making their presence more atmospheric than central. They are all for sale, so the idea that you can experience these works while you sit and have a drink is certainly helpful. The environment is upscale but unassuming and the hotel staff is friendly and polite. The exhibit, which runs until the end of the month, is certainly worth a look if you want to take a rest, get a cocktail, and experience a local artist’s unique view off the world.

Renaissance Hotel République, 40 Rue René Boulanger, 75010. Tel: +33 (0)1 71 18 20 95

“Watercolor” exhibition at the Renaissance Hotel Republique