Henri Cartier-Bresson: The Modern Century

I don't normally like to visit museums on bright and sunny days but I may make an exception for the new Henri Cartier-Bresson exhibition that opens today at the Museum of Modern Art. Over 300 hundred photographs that span his amazing career will be on view until June 28, 2010. My favorites are his old world views of Europe and his modern look at America. I'd also say that he was the pioneer of today's popular street fashion photography. Can you imagine if Henri Cartier-Bresson had a blog?! I definitely wouldn't wait for a rainy day to see this amazing exhibition!

“It is through living that we discover ourselves, at the same time as we discover the world around us.” — Henri Cartier-Bresson, 1952

"Think about the photo before and after, never during. The secret is to take your time. You mustn't go too fast. The subject must forget about you. Then, however, you must be very quick." — Henri Cartier-Bresson

“Actually, I'm not all that interested in the subject of photography. Once the picture is in the box, I'm not all that interested in what happens next. Hunters, after all, aren't cooks.” — Henri Cartier-Bresson

“Photographers deal in things which are continually vanishing and when they have vanished there is no contrivance on earth which can make them come back again.” — Henri Cartier-Bresson

“The most difficult thing for me is a portrait. You have to try and put your camera between the skin of a person and his shirt.” — Henri Cartier-Bresson

“The creative act lasts but a brief moment, a lightning instant of give-and-take, just long enough for you to level the camera and to trap the fleeting prey in your little box.” — Henri Cartier-Bresson

“The photograph itself doesn't interest me. I want only to capture a minute part of reality.” — Henri Cartier-Bresson

Photos by Henri Cartier-Bresson

Chic in LA: The Getty

I didn't spend all my time in LA shopping or visiting design stores, I did make time to visit the breathtakingly beautiful Getty Center museum. The museum was designed by architect Richard Meier and is perched on a hill overlooking the city and ocean, when you can see it through the smog, I mean fog. It's probably the only museums that has views outside that rival the artwork inside! Christian of Maison21, my tour guide, told me a story about how the entire museum was supposed to be built out of Meier's signature matte aluminum siding but the residents of the area had different ideas so most of the buildings were clad in travertine instead. The undulating museum connects better to the natural landscape and sits like a modern day Acropolis surveying the city below. It's definitely worth a visit on your next trip to LA, in between shopping and design stores of course.

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic

Living in LA

Since I'm off to LaLa Land, I thought I'd take this time to post some great Los Angeles homes. This one belongs to the chic married couple Michael Govan and Katherine Ross and family. He's the Director of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and she has worked in public relations for LVMH. Not sure if she's still with them but regardless, this is one fashionable family! When they moved to LA, they wanted a Richard Neutra house but has clearly made due with this lovely home filled with their art collection as well as pieces borrowed from the museum. When I think of California design, I often think of mid-century modern furniture and I love all the bright colors they used for their pieces. It's a pop art paradise! Enjoy!

Photos by Francois Halard for May 2008 issue of Vogue