Natures vivantes: the photo exhibition showcasing the gardens of the Albert Kahn Museum - photos

In 1912, wealthy philanthropist Albert Kahn launched a major project: he wanted to create " a kind of photographic inventory of the surface of the globe, occupied and developed by man, as it looked at the beginning of the 20th century ". He therefore employed a number of photographers to immortalize the world as it was in the 20th century. It was an ambitious project, which led to the creation of a phenomenal, one-of-a-kind image bank.

A lover of nature, Albert Kahn took a particular interest in the plant world, and especially in his gardens. As a result, several hundred photographs, images and films are devoted to this particular ecosystem.

In a major exhibition featuring almost 200 photographs, archive documents, films and contemporary works, the Musée Albert Kahn invites us to take a stroll and discover these images that plunge us into"Living Natures". From April 30 to December 31, 2024, you can admire works, both ancient and modern, that highlight nature and the museum's gardens.

• To be read
• Tips for the week of December 2 to 8, 2024 in Paris: free or inexpensive outings
• What to do in Paris in December 2024? Discover this month's events in the Paris Region
• Free museums and monuments this Sunday: places to visit in Paris on January 5, 2025

Albert Kahn's "archives of the planet" were intended to immortalize the world and its riches. These photographs - color autochromes - had an unexpected effect: far from freezing these landscapes once and for all, the images show, on the contrary, the constant evolution of nature. This "life" is evident in the shots, which take particular care to show every detail of these small plant worlds.

The artists commissioned by Albert Kahn were also able to experiment with photography and video, creating unique and unusual works, some of which are being exhibited for the first time on this occasion.

The exhibition is more than just a photographic tour: it also features unique documents that straddle the boundary between art, science and poetry. Some works bear witness to the technical and artistic advances of the time. In addition, contemporary artists join the exhibition, bringing their own perspective to this collection, and to the nature behind the project.

Audio and visual documents, historical and educational explanations, and interactive areas enable visitors to learn more about the Albert Kahn collection, the different plants found in the gardens, and timelapse and autochrome techniques.

An exhibition for all nature lovers, and those passionate about Albert Kahn's work!