In our Remember Me review, we explore why this ambitious photography exhibition at the Bourse de Commerce in Paris ultimately fails to deliver on its grand promise. Curated from the collection of French billionaire François Pinault, the show attempts to survey 200 years of photography through 700 works by over 70 artists. However, as our Remember Me review reveals, the exhibition is hampered by a narrow focus and questionable curation.
Remember Me Review: A Disappointing Survey of Photography
The exhibition begins powerfully with Barbara Kruger's installation The History of Tears, which fills the Rotunda with bold text and video clips. This thrilling setup raises expectations for a provocative take on photography's history. Unfortunately, as our Remember Me review notes, the excitement quickly dissipates. The show's biggest flaw is its overreliance on a single artist: nearly 450 of the 700 works are by Irving Penn. This creates a skewed perception of photography's evolution, reducing a complex history to a narrow viewpoint.
The Problem with Remember Me's Curation
The organization of Remember Me makes little sense. Two main spaces are dedicated exclusively to one artist each, with Penn being one of them. While the installation looks beautiful—following the curving Ando architecture with works hung like waves—it prioritizes aesthetics over historical representation. The exhibition leans heavily on classical, conventional approaches and familiar names, ignoring many important movements and artists. For a show that promises to cover 200 years, this is a significant shortcoming.
Remember Me Review: Key Takeaways
- Overemphasis on Irving Penn: Nearly 450 of 700 works are by Penn, skewing the narrative.
- Limited artist diversity: Only 70 artists represent 200 years of photography.
- Poor organization: The layout lacks coherence, with two spaces dedicated to single artists.
- Missed opportunity: The show fails to provide a comprehensive history of photography.
Comparing Remember Me to Other Photography Exhibitions
To contextualize our Remember Me review, consider how it stacks up against other major photography shows. The table below highlights key differences.
| Exhibition | Number of Artists | Number of Works | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Remember Me | 70+ | 700 | Irving Penn dominant |
| Typical Survey Show | 100+ | 300-500 | Balanced representation |
| The Family of Man | 273 | 503 | Humanist themes |
As shown, Remember Me has a disproportionately high number of works per artist, leading to a lack of breadth. A typical survey would include more artists to cover diverse movements and styles.

FAQ
What is the Remember Me exhibition about?
Remember Me aims to present 200 years of photography through 700 works from the François Pinault collection. However, it is heavily skewed toward Irving Penn and lacks a coherent narrative.
Where is Remember Me held?
The exhibition is at the Bourse de Commerce in Paris, a venue known for its striking architecture by Tadao Ando.
Is Remember Me worth visiting?
While it contains some beautiful works, the narrow focus and poor organization make it less satisfying than other photography exhibitions. Our Remember Me review suggests it may disappoint those seeking a comprehensive survey.
Final Thoughts on Remember Me
In conclusion, our Remember Me review finds the exhibition to be a missed opportunity. Despite the stunning setting and a few standout pieces, the overwhelming focus on Irving Penn and the lack of diversity among artists undermine its goal of representing 200 years of photography. For a more balanced view of photographic history, visitors might look elsewhere.