May 29

We were tipped off to the work of photographer Jonathan Stark, by a pal at the local gym. These things happen. It's not all press agents and club owners. Sometimes ...  Stark brings a distinct visual and emotional perspective to his work. And, ah, Paris! Home of romance. Home of reason. (See: Iraq.)  Stark e-mails us: "The show is based on my travels through Paris and France from 2001 - 2005. I have been travelling to France for the past 12 years but my most intense body of work was during those years.  The show consists of my traditional B&W work, shooting film in the tradition of Cartier Bresson. I print in my darkroom  and there are 9 B&W pieces in the show. But in a serendipitous moment I found myself on the Bateaux Mouche riverboat travelling down the Seine with a digital camera. As I started to shoot what I thought would be stock images of Paris at night, something magical happened and the images of the bridges are the result. I had to learn how to produce high quality archival digital prints before I felt comfortable showing and selling the work. They are called 'Reves de la Seine 1 though 9.' All pieces are 16 x20 inches printed and 19 x26 inches framed." 
Stark's exhibition closes tonight, May 29,  the French Library and Cultural Center called "Reves et Realities." It's free and open 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.

53 Marlborough St., 617-912-0400 frenchlib.org