Far from just “Merci et au revoir”

Looking at & Discussing exhibitions. Arles, 2011

Pic of the day.

After returning from Arles, I cannot help thinking and admiring the French people. They not only crowd the seaside or super markets, but also exhibitions and cultural events. When it comes to exhibitions, they do not bother waiting in lines, and spend time studying out the works. Concerts have a defined beginnings and ends, while visiting photography exhibitions has no time framework. Photography exhibition visit is a free way to explore layers of personal and collective experience and is not just a formality for someone to see, and it is not defined by a protocol. Although the absence of politeness is not avoided…

At the entrance of this particular exhibition, where I took this picture, I was greeted by the man at the desk, who, before reading my badge, thanked other people for their visit. And then, he turned back to me, explaining: “last year I said “Merci et au revoir” about three thousand times”…