Paris, May 7 – The Maison Européenne de la Photographie (MEP) in Paris is set to open its doors to an innovative collective exhibition titled “Photography in All Letters,” running from June 10 to September 13, 2026. Located at 5/7 rue de Fourcy in the 4th arrondissement, the exhibition is conceived as a visual alphabet, bringing together 34 artists from the Neuflize OBC corporate collection and the MEP’s own collections. This curated journey promises unexpected correspondences between artworks, offering a fresh perspective on the medium.
“Photography in All Letters”: A Visual Alphabet at the MEP
Timed to coincide with the bicentennial of photography, “Photography in All Letters” adopts an original principle: that of an abecedarium. Each pairing of artworks functions as a dictionary entry, providing a gateway into a fragment of photography’s history, intertwining intimate reminiscences with shared imaginaries. This editorial choice empowers visitors to forge their own interpretations, freely and without imposed hierarchy. For those who closely follow photography exhibitions in Paris, this event is anticipated to be a highlight of the summer of 2026.
Unlike traditional thematic hangings, the exhibition’s layout weaves unexpected connections between works, challenging preconceived notions and inviting surprise. The juxtapositions of pieces from the Neuflize OBC corporate collection and the MEP’s own holdings create formal and narrative dialogues that were previously unforeseen. The result is an experience that is at once playful, liberating, and imbued with nostalgia, appealing to all audiences, from seasoned enthusiasts to curious newcomers. In the heart of the Marais district, the MEP reaffirms its pivotal role as a reference point for contemporary and heritage photography.
The exhibition is part of a particularly rich season at the MEP, which has been designated a Bicentennial of Photography label. “Photography in All Letters” resonates deeply within this context, not merely celebrating two centuries of images but re-deploying them as small narratives that, when combined, form a grand collective history. It’s a poetic and accessible way to underscore that photography is far more than just an art of seeing; it is also an art of meaning.
A Diverse Exhibition Season Around Contemporary Photography
In parallel with the collective exhibition, the MEP will also present the first retrospective dedicated to French artist Camille Vivier, running concurrently from June 10 to September 13, 2026. A prominent figure in contemporary photography, Camille Vivier unfolds a universe that is both sensual and enigmatic, where bodies, sculptural forms, and unsettling presences engage in dialogue. The thematic journey brings together a dozen series and nearly a hundred works, some of which experiment with scale and presentation devices, tracing the entirety of her artistic career. The female figures she portrays are as fascinating as they are destabilizing, asserting the complexity and power of their identities.
The MEP’s summer season also pays tribute to William Klein on the occasion of his centenary, through a cinematographic retrospective organized in partnership with Studio William Klein. From Wednesday to Saturday evenings, the auditorium will screen the artist’s major classics, such as “Who Are You, Polly Maggoo?” and “Muhammad Ali the Greatest,” alongside rare films, some of which are previously unreleased, and numerous archival materials. This series of screenings is complemented by an exhibition of photographs from the MEP’s collections, further enhanced by graphic works and publications displayed throughout the spaces.
Meanwhile, the MEP Studio spaces will host two distinct projects over the summer. Winnie Mo Rielly will occupy the venue from June 10 to July 12, 2026, with an immersive installation where the body fragments, shifts, and recomposes itself, at the intersection of photography, sculpture, and performance. In the second part of the season, from July 17 to September 13, 2026, Martine Dawson will present “Faultlines,” a photographic project dedicated to the houses of Butte, a former mining town in Montana, exploring the house as a surface of memory where mining history and contemporary ways of living are superimposed.
Practical Information and Additional Details
The MEP – Maison Européenne de la Photographie is located at 5/7 rue de Fourcy, Paris 75004. For inquiries, you can contact them at +33 1 44 78 75 46 or [email protected]. Further information is available on their website at www.mep-fr.org, and their social media channels on Facebook and Instagram.
The exhibition will be open from Wednesday, June 10, 2026, to Sunday, September 13, 2026. Ticket prices are as follows: Full Price Entry – €14.00; Reduced Price Entry (under 25, students, teachers, declared artist-authors, job seekers, partner subscribers) – €9.00; Pass Paris Seniors Entry – €13.00. Free admission is granted to people with disabilities and their accompanying person, children under 12, RSA recipients, ASPA recipients, ICOM members, press, and City of Paris employees. Tickets can be purchased online via their ticketing platform.
This rich program underscores the MEP’s commitment to showcasing both established and emerging talents in the world of photography, offering a diverse array of experiences for all visitors during the summer of 2026.
