Jeunes Talents [Young Talents]

Jeunes Talents (young talents in French) focused on giving a new generation of American photographers the opportunity to interpret four modern French cities. Eight U.S. college students had the amazing opportunity to be flown to one of four French cities as part of a cross-cultural education, art and tourism promotional project. The exhibit opened at Louis Stern Fine Arts in West Hollywood, CA, from March 27–April 11, 2009.

Louis Stern had a vested interest in the project because of his affection for his home country. When he was 10 years old he moved from France to the United States with his family. Though Stern spoke only French at the time he shares, “My eyes gave me immediate access and, to this day, I remember exactly how this country, our new home, looked.” He attributes his reliance on the visual sense during those years as playing a key role in his choice to sponsor the visual arts. Furthermore, according to the gallery’s director, Marie Chambers, Louis still maintains his French citizenship, “so France is near and dear to him, personally and professionally.”

Each student was assigned to document one of these French cities: Antibes Juan-les-Pins, Biarritz, Lyon and Montpellier, and had 10 days to shoot their assigned city. In addition to the show at Louis Stern Fine Arts, the photos will also be used for shows in France. The images can be seen online at www.franceguide.com/jeunestalents, where visitors can vote on their favorites.

The opening reception featured a variety of work from architecture to nightlife, landscape, interiors and sports. Chambers shares, “We just thought it was an absolutely great project. It’s exactly the kind of thing that we want to do. We want to help emerging and young artists.” She says the gallery is primarily known as a painting and sculpture gallery, though they usually feature a photography show once a year.

The project was a joint initiative between Maison de la France, France’s national tourist office, and the Consulate General of France in Los Angeles Cultural Services with a mission to “heighten interest between the cultures of France and the U.S.” Certainly French tourism will receive some positive press as a result of the beautiful photography produced by these eight young photographers. But, beyond that, the event has the potential to help these young artists gain traction as they begin their careers as photographers.

Selected Students

Esther Murphy and Gillian Dicker from Loyola University, New Orleans, Louisiana
Amanda Keller Konya and Tasha Moore from Otis College of Art and Design, Los Angeles, CA
Alejandro Sanchez and Allie Bogle Hwang from California Institute of the Arts, Los Angeles, CA
Spencer Lowell and Justine Maccario from Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, CA

Writer/photographer Larry Brownstein is based in Los Angeles, California. He has authored several photography books, is represented by Getty Images, Alamy and California Stock Photo and has a growing wedding and portrait photography business. His website is www.larrybrownstein.com. His blog is larrybrownstein.bigfolioblog.com.