Parsons Paris Photography
By Olina Olseth
Although November is typically considered the most important season for photography in Paris due to the annual Paris Photo Art fair, the photographic arts are thriving in and around Parsons Paris this semester. On February 11th, we had the honor of hosting Colin Stearns, Program Director of the BFA Photography Program at Parsons NY, for an artist talk at Galerie 45. Colin discussed his journey as a photographer and photobook maker, tracing his career from his earliest publications to his current projects.
Also this week, the artist known professionally as SofijaSilvia, opened a solo exhibition at L’AiR Arts Cité Falguère as part of the atelier’s 150th-anniversary celebration. In addition to her artistic practice , SofijaSilvia conducts darkroom workshops for AMT seniors at Parsons Paris. Colin attended the exhibition and, alongside AMT program assistant Olina Olseth, engaged in discussions on storytelling in photography, the analog versus digital debate, curation, photobooks, and more.
At Parsons, students have the opportunity to take several photography-related courses. First-year students enroll in “Time” to develop basic technical photography skills, while “Art Media Explorations,” currently taught by Nicolas Guiraud and Mathilde Roussel, provides further engagement with photography as an artistic medium. As a student in Art Media Explorations, I have found it fascinating to learn from artists like Colin Stearns and SofijaSilvia, who work with photography daily.
SofijaSilvia’s exhibition, Transmissions, at L’AiR Arts reflects on Atelier 11’s legacy as a hub for artistic reflection and creation. A former L’AiR Arts resident in 2022, where she had been preparing for her 2023 exhibition at the Botanical Garden of the Department of Science of the University of Zagreb, Croatia. Her work often explores themes of nature, history, and human psychology and has been exhibited in prominent museums, including the Museum of Contemporary Art Zagreb (2021), Krinzinger Projekte Vienna (2019), and the Museum of Modern Art Dubrovnik (2017). Internationally published in magazines such as Dazed and Confused (UK), Fotograf, and Elle, SofijaSilvia studied photography at FAMU in Prague and earned her MA from Central Saint Martins School of Design. She has also been awarded prestigious residencies, including European Eyes on Japan/Japan Today as part of the EU Japan Fest (Japan, 2019).
Returning to Atelier 11, SofijaSilvia was invited to create an exhibition in honor of its 150th anniversary. She explained that she always works with context and history and wanted her exhibition to reflect the atelier’s longevity. Describing her experience working in the space, she shared that she sees the atelier as “a living being,” emphasizing how its history is embedded in its walls. With upcoming renovations, she felt a sense of loss, as many of the building’s marks and imperfections contribute to its character.
Survivor by SofijaSilvia at the Transmissions exhibition in Atelier 11 with L’AiR Arts.
One of the photographs in her exhibition, titled Survivor, features a 100-year-old pine tree on a Croatian island that withstood a devastating storm. This tree, the sole survivor, serves as a poignant metaphor for the resilience of Atelier 11. Many of her photographs capture decaying plants or flowers in their final stages of life, evoking human-like qualities. She explained that she appreciates how these images reflect the cycle of life and rebirth, illustrating how new growth emerges from decay. Every detail in her exhibition was carefully considered, from the placement of each piece to the frames chosen. She intentionally positioned her photographs in relation to the atelier’s cracks and imperfections, allowing them to engage in a visual dialogue with the space. In her downstairs installation, she used red frames to mirror the building’s red exterior, further deepening the connection between her work and its environment. The exhibition was intimate and moving, demonstrating not only her artistic vision but also the thoughtfulness with which she integrated her work into the space.
Installation view with work by SofijaSilvia at the Transmissions exhibition in Atelier 11 with L’AiR Arts.
Colin Stearns, in addition to being a photographer, is deeply passionate about photobooks. He founded Nonlinear Books in 2021, a publishing company dedicated to broadening the format, function, and language of photobooks while showcasing under-recognized creators. His photobooks are included in the collections of renowned institutions such as The International Center of Photography Library, The New York Public Library, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale University, and the Hellenic Centre for Photography in Athens, Greece. Colin places great importance on fostering relationships with booksellers and photographic communities, with his books available in cities worldwide, including Tokyo, Brussels, Berlin, Paris, Barcelona, Rome, Mexico City, and New York City.
“Photography and the photobook are my primary modes of making. I am motivated by the non-linear narrative possibilities of the photobook and I remain deeply inspired by the photograph as a signifier of history, physical object, and metaphor. I push photographs to live in disconnected isolation or be the means of connection to other ideas and physical manifestations. Historical and cultural markers, combined with the structures of narrative fiction, instigate my practice. My recurring process is an autobiographical approach to personal space distilled by cultural history.”
-Colin Stearns
During his talk at Galerie 45 on February 11th, Colin shared insights into some of his early photobooks, including Meridian. He described how, as a young photographer, he spent all his money on film to shoot as much as possible. It was fascinating to see how his photobooks evolved over time, noting both their differences and commonalities. He reflected on how his approach has changed, mentioning that he once disliked full-bleed images but later challenged himself to incorporate them in small ways, eventually finding a style that suited him.
Colin Stearns at Galerie 45, Feb 11th 2025.
One of the stories Colin shared was about his photobook Before/After, which he created following the Paris terrorist attacks in 2015. Since he shot exclusively on analog film at the time, he had no clear memory of the exact sequence of his images. After developing the film, he realized he could not distinguish which photos were taken before or after the attacks. To emphasize this ambiguity, he designed the book as an open format with loose pages that can be rearranged, mirroring the uncertainty and chaos of that period. One page in the book lists the names of the attack’s victims, further reinforcing the gravity of the event.
“I am driven by the storytelling and non-verbal elements of photobooks, and I seek to take advantage of these qualities. Photobooks have the ability to be a fable, a representation, a reminder, a signifier, and most importantly, an opportunity to have and share a conversation.”
-Colin Stearns
Colin concluded his talk by discussing his current project, which delves into his childhood and family history in the context of recent political changes in the U.S. According to him, Nonlinear Books aims to “produce and design photobooks that discuss the present, uncover the past, and provide guidance for creating an inclusive and positive future.”
Some of the photobooks brought by Colin Stearns at Galerie 45, Feb 11th 2025.
While SofijaSilvia and Colin approach photography differently, they share a deep commitment to storytelling. Both carefully consider how their work is displayed, ensuring that the surrounding elements contribute to the narratives they wish to convey. Their work serves as a reminder that photography remains a powerful medium, even in an age saturated with digital imagery. The recent resurgence of analog photography, particularly among younger generations, may be attributed to the element of surprise and the lack of control inherent in film photography, resulting in uniquely compelling images.
During discussions at L’AiR Arts, Colin mentioned that he had exclusively used analog photography for decades and continues to teach it to students. However, he transitioned to digital photography after COVID-19. Despite this shift, his love for analog remains strong—an appreciation shared by many at Parsons Paris.
Hopefully, this blog post inspires you to take your camera with you, capture what draws your attention, and tell your own story. Paris offers endless opportunities for photographic exploration, from the annual Paris Photo Fair (which took place in November) to the Maison Européenne de la Photographie (MEP) and countless galleries scattered across the city. Go out, explore, and engage with photography in new and meaningful ways!
L’AiR Arts has more exciting public events coming up. Click here to visit their event page for details. SofijaSilvia’s exhibition is open on Friday afternoons (Feb 14th, 21st, 28th, and March 7th) from 15:00 to 19:00. On March 5th at 18:30, the artist talk Reciprocal Transmission: Art, Communities, and the More-than-Human World will take place, featuring a participatory discussion with Barbara Bulc, Tom Jeffreys, and SofijaSilvia. The exhibition finissage will be held on Saturday, March 8th, from 14:00 to 18:00.