Massive bronze “ding” with cover, 480-220 B.C., shown at Topper Gallery, Ontario, Canada.

Philip Trager’s Photographs at Davison Art Center

MIDDLETOWN, CONN. – On October 20, Davison Art Center will open an exhibition of photographs of Paris taken by Philip Trager. An internationally acclaimed architectural photographer, Trager (BA Wesleyan 1956) is the author of seven books, including Changing Paris: A Tour Along the Seine, published this year.

The New York Times characterized Trager’s new photographs as “perfectly composed, richly printed views of Paris … animated by subtly romantic or dreamy feelings.” The exhibition will be on view at Davison Art Center through December 8 and will travel next to Paris, where it opens at the Musee Carnavalet in June 2001.

Trager worked on this project over a period of six years, during which he photographed Paris in all seasons and at all times of the day. He used the Seine as his focus for looking both at venerable buildings and at new or lesser-known structures in the city.

Among the sites Trager photographed are the “Grand Projects,” including the new Bibliotheque National de France Francois Mitterrand and I.M. Pei’s glass pyramid additions to the Louvre, as well as Place de la Concorde, Musee d’Orsay and the magnificent bridges that span the Seine.

With his profound mastery of light and his distinctive vision, Trager captures the spirit of the City of Light, which has often used the Seine as a point of reference in its architectural planning. A selection of about 40 photographs including gelatin silver prints, platinum prints and Iris prints will be on view.

Trager will give a free gallery talk open to the public at 5 pm on Friday, October 20.

The gallery is open to the public free of charge. Hours are Tuesday through Sunday, noon to 4 pm. Davison Art Center is at 301 High Street. For information, 860/685-2500.