From 2 October to 18 December 2025, Quai de la Photo presents a major exhibition dedicated to urban cultures through four landmark perspectives: Martine Barrat, Sophie Bramly, Gérard Guittot and Little Shao. A journey across five decades where photography, cult film excerpts (in partnership with ARTE) and soundtracks speak to one another. Free admission.
Why this show is unmissable ?
- A unique panorama: from the Bronx of the 1970s to today’s Paris and social networks, the exhibition asks a powerful question: which shaped which first—fiction or reality?
- Four signature voices in street photography documenting the birth and rise of hip-hop and urban art.
- Generous mediation: free guided tours (Wed→Sun) and a children’s workshop every Saturday at 1 pm.
The featured artists
Martine Barrat
Total immersion and unvarnished humanity: her work reveals the truth of her subjects at eye level, with proximity and restraint.
Gérard Guittot
From the nights of Stalingrad (Paris) to the first sparks of hip-hop: a visual writing of speed and darkness that has become a historical record. His archives are now preserved and shared by his daughters.
Sophie Bramly
From the Bronx in the early 1980s to Europe, her trajectory ties together press, television, the internet and a recent full return to photography—always close to bodies, spaces and communities.
Little Shao
A former dancer and now a leading photographer on the global scene—accredited specialist for breaking at the Paris 2024 Olympics. His kinetic images raise the street to the level of icon.
A multi-format scenography
Between photographic archives, film excerpts (The Warriors, Beat Street, Le Monde de demain) and soundtracks, the exhibition weaves past and present and shows how images build our urban imagination.
Practical information
- Dates: 2 October → 18 December 2025
- Venue: Quai de la Photo, 9 port de la Gare, 75013 Paris (barge opposite the BnF)
- Hours: summer Mon→Sun 12:00–02:00; in winter Wed→Sun 12:00–00:00
- Admission: Free; free guided tours (Wed→Sun); children’s workshop every Saturday at 1:00 pm
- Opening (open to the public): Wednesday 1 October 2025, 6:30 pm
Not to miss
- Screening of “Martha Cooper, Street Art Icon.”
- Open photo contest (amateurs & pros) with winning images displayed at the end of the show.
FAQ
Is Urban Photo free to visit?
Yes. Admission is free, and guided tours are offered several days a week.
Is it family-friendly?
Absolutely: free guided tours from Wednesday to Sunday and a children’s workshop every Saturday at 1 pm.
Where is it?
Quai de la Photo, 9 port de la Gare, Paris 13th (on the barge at the foot of the BnF).
What are the dates and hours?
From 02/10/2025 to 18/12/2025; seasonal hours (see above).
Which artists are featured?
Martine Barrat, Sophie Bramly, Gérard Guittot, Little Shao.