by Carolyn Blais

With the anniversary of the birth of our nation this past weekend, it is the perfect time for Americans to pause and reflect on what those early days as a country must have been like when there were no such things as the iPhone, or the internet, or even the automobile. A world void of technology may be scary to some; I mean how would we communicate and get around from one place to the other? Well, unlike many Americans including Angelenos who harbor a strong dependence on the beloved motor vehicle, a large number of Parisians have captured a piece of a simpler time and place by using bicycles as the primary mode of transportation. Even in this advanced day and age, the French have found a very basic way to master transportation that is healthier not only for the human race, but the environment. Not only that, but they manage to make riding bikes look sexy at the same time! Luckily Gil Garcetti went abroad to Paris to shoot these beauties in action, obtaining clear proof that cruising in a convertible Porsche is not the only way to look cool when going to the grocery store. The beauties in this case are not so much the actual bikes, but the people riding them—French women. I’m sure French men on bikes are photogenic too but Garcetti focuses on the women as they seem to posses something extra special, a kind of air it seems. One trip to the Annenberg Community Beach House where the exhibit is on display will give you a better picture, literally.

The last time I rode a bike I was a teenager, trying to keep up with friends, going down a steep hill. I’m not sure why I didn’t know how to use the breaks, as I recall it shouldn’t have been so difficult, but needless to say I came into very close contact with the side of an auto parts store. Ironic, now that I think of it, since I stuck to automobiles ever since. But such is not the case for Parisian women; most of them are pros on two wheels from an early age. And Garcetti’s photographs capture the women in all kinds of conditions—amidst the hustle and bustle of the busy, narrow, cobblestone streets of Paris, dodging pedestrians, riding alongside buses, holding umbrellas in the rain, wearing hot pink tights or fashionable jackets, adorning Louis Vuitton bags or a bouquet of flowers, carrying small dogs, or with one or two children in tow—all the while, pedaling, making their ways home, or to work or to evening activities, or wherever it may be they are going. It seems nothing can stop these women. Not skirts, not heels, heck one woman was even riding barefoot. What might seem dangerous to many American women is no feat for the French. Often times the women were riding outside the bike lanes and only in one photograph did I see a woman wearing a helmet. I guess when you grow up in a bike culture, riding becomes like second nature. What’s also fascinating is that all ages of women were riding bikes: young women, middle aged, and elderly—and no one looked out of place. Each rode with such style and grace, they seemed the very picture of Parisian elegance. Their strong, lean bodies in motion, on sort of old fashion looking bikes are works of art in and of themselves but Garcetti’s photos make them even more so. The photographer captures every detail in bright, magnificent color and clarity. A handful of photos are taken in black and white which are also lovely, seeming almost classically retro. I can easily see how Garcetti saw the artful appeal in taking on this photography project, but there is also an important environmental issue behind Garcetti’s efforts in taking these pictures.

Garcetti, the former District Attorney for Los Angeles, has been taking photos throughout his life. Garcetti’s work has been displayed around the country and world and has been featured in TIME Magazine and on CBS Sunday Morning. His photos of Africa have been featured in a prior issue of Forth and were displayed at the G2 Gallery in Venice for Forth’s 1 year Anniversary party in January. These photos were part of a book entitled “Water is Key” which sought to bring attention to the issues of safe water, health, and the empowerment of women in West Africa. For his current exhibit entitled “Paris: Women and Bicycles,” Gil’s mission in encouraging bike use is threefold: to reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, and help reduce the obesity epidemic throughout the U.S. Garcetti is currently working with the Los Angeles Bicycle Coalition to assist in the process of making urban areas in Southern California more bike friendly. Of course it will take much work to transform LA into a bike loving city, but I think with Garcetti’s efforts there is hope for making strides. Most of us learned to ride as children (me maybe not so well) but like they say, you never forget how to ride a bike so why not give it another chance? Just this morning on Live with Regis and Kelly in fact, Kelly admitted she hadn’t rode a bike for 30 years because she fell off of one when she was younger and was afraid to ride ever since. Perhaps if she saw Garcetti’s exhibit she would be inspired to try again. It may be true that Los Angeles is a vastly spread out city, but if French women can ride their bikes for miles through snow, rain, and heat, there is no reason why Angelenos can’t do so within their own communities, especially in the near perfect weather LA sees practically year round.

The Annenberg Community Beach House is a beautiful facility located in Santa Monica. “Paris: Women and Bicycles” is located in the Event House and will be on display until July 18th. The gallery is free to the public and open seven days a week from 10 am to 4 pm.

Quick View:
WHAT: Gil Garcetti’s “Paris: Women and Bicycles”
WHERE: Annenberg Community Beach House, 415 Pacific Coast Highway, Santa Monica, CA 90402
WHEN: Until July 18th
WEBSITES: http://beachhouse.smgov.net/ and http://www.garcetti.com/