Kiss by the Hotel de Ville 1950

Editor: Robert Doisneau’s "Kiss by the Hotel de Ville," taken in 1950, is a classic gelatin silver print. I've always been struck by how romantic it is, but also a bit staged. What is your take on this photograph? Curator: The "staging" is actually key! Its production and dissemination reveals a lot about post-war desires. Think about it – gelatin silver prints were mass-produced. The labor behind each print and its reproduction transformed a fleeting moment into a commodity. How does that commodification of “love” influence its meaning, especially given post-war austerity? Editor: I see what you mean. It's less about a spontaneous moment and more about… a product. But what about the location, the "Hotel de Ville?" Curator: The setting is not incidental. The Hotel de Ville, a symbol of civic administration, is juxtaposed with this supposed ‘spontaneous’ display of affection. Think about the material reality of urban reconstruction post-war. This kiss becomes emblematic of renewed life, perhaps even a governmentality pushing towards rebuilding and prosperity. A perfect photo op to galvanize the masses to participate. How complicit is the image itself in bolstering such state-driven narratives? Editor: So it is both romantic *and* political through its production. Doisneau used his artistic labor and photographic skills to feed social demand, selling an image that reinforces an ideal during reconstruction. Curator: Precisely! It brings into question authenticity and constructed narratives, reminding us how deeply interwoven art is with societal forces, including material processes. The question then turns: whose version of 'Parisian romance' is being peddled? And at whose expense? Editor: I had only considered it from a romantic perspective. Considering the materiality of its production definitely shifts my understanding of its meaning and purpose. Thanks for shedding a different light! Curator: It’s all about seeing beyond the surface, understanding how materiality and production shapes our understanding and experience of art…and even love.