Much to my mother's dismay, I've never really been able to jump on the feminist movement band wagon.

Granted, by traditional standards I would certainly consider myself a feminist: I believe in equality for men and women in the work place, I'm all for a women's right to choose, and I fully support any woman who chooses to be a stay-at-home mom or a CEO (or both if you can figure out how to run a company from your living room with a screaming 2-year-old at your feet). Because after all, it's the choice part that counts.

But I've never taken that next step to march, protest, or strike for women's rights.

So I figured I could make up for my lack of activism by looking at photos of women who actually did participate in the women's rights movement!

This brings me to the photography exhibit going on right now at the Galerie des Bibliothèques-Ville de Paris, entitled Photo, Femmes, Féminisme, which will continue to run through March 13th, 2011.

This collection of photographs, posters, films and original written texts spans over 150 years of history regarding the French feminism movement, beginning in 1860.

These pieces are on loan from the Bibliothèque Marguerite Durand, named after one of the early leaders in the French feminist movement, who evolved from an actress at the Comédie-Française to an active member of the French political movement and founder of the La Fronde, a feminist newspaper first published back in 1897.

Although small, the exhibit did a great job of providing an expansive visual overview of this historical movement. Many of the photos and video clips of women marching in the streets, chanting in unison for equality were reminiscent of images I've seen from the women's suffrage movement in the U.S.

As I was walking through the exhibit, I was curious as to what year women in France were actually given the right to vote. I naturally assumed it would have been before that right was finally granted in the U.S. (1920), but I was shocked to discover that it took France until 1944!

Seriously guys? You were well behind Myanmar, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan (I'll admit I had to look that last one up.)

Overall I found this exhibit to be pretty informative - it was like a brief history lesson, but with pictures!

If you have any interest in photography, French history, women's rights or all of the above, I would highly recommend a visit.

For additional information on the exhibit, check out this review from Paris Update by Heidi Ellison.

Gallery Info:

Galerie des Bibliothèques-Ville de Paris: 22, rue Malher, Paris 75004. Métro: Saint Paul. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 1pm-7pm, until 9pm on Thursday. Admission: €6. Through March 13th.
www.paris-bibliotheques.org

Bibliothèque Marguerite Durand: 79, rue Nationale, 75013 Paris. Métro: Olympiades.
Open Tuesday-Saturday, 2pm-6pm.

Below are photos I managed to sneak in of some of my favorite photos.

Following my earlier post on Nathalie Lemaître’s exhibit at Fesitval America, I sent her a few interview questions to get a better sense of her methods and cultural perspective regarding this series. 

Below is a translation of the Q & A.

The full interview in French can be found at the end of this post.

1. Aside from your visual memories of your many visits to New York City, what else served as a source of personal inspiration for this exhibition? 
My emotional memory. The emotions that are in me, whether I'm in New York or elsewhere.

2. How long does it generally take for you to create one of these paintings? 
I can make a painting in a day, but the preparation takes me much longer. My actual painting technique is very fast, but I do preparatory sketches and I reflect a lot beforehand.

3. What are the main differences you notice between Paris and New York? What are some similarities? 
For me, New York and Paris are like two sisters, each filled with dreams and intelligence. Paris is the old Europe; New York is the new world. However, New York is already loaded with nostalgia.

4. Out of all the pieces in this series, which is your favorite? Why?
My favorite painting is "Crystal City" for the effect of contrast, and because it represents New York in an unusual way. But also "Empire Shadow", for the sense of vertigo.

Original interview text (en français, bien sûr!)

1. A part vos souvenirs de New York, qu'elles ont été vos autres sources d'inspirations pour cette exposition? 
Ma mémoire émotionnelle. Les émotions qui sont en moi, que je sois à New York ou ailleurs.

2. Combien de temps est ce que ça vous prend pour créer un tableau en moyenne? 
Je peux faire un tableau en une journée, mais la préparation est beaucoup plus longue. Ma peinture est rapide, mais je fais des croquis préparatoires et je réfléchis beaucoup.

3. Quelles sont les grandes différences pour vous entre Paris et New York? Quelles en sont les principales similitudes ?
Pour moi, NYC et Paris sont comme deux soeurs remplies de rêve et d'intelligence. Paris, c'est la vieille europe. New York, c'est le nouveau monde. Pourtant, NYC est déjà chargée de nostalgie.

4. Quelle est votre tableau préféré? Pourquoi?
Mon tableau préféré, c'est "Cristal city" pour l'effet de contraste, parce qu'il represente New York d'une manière inhabituelle. Mais aussi "Empire shadow", pour le vertige.