gail albert halaban peers inside the widows of paris apartments
all images © gail albert halaban

 

 

 

as an exploration into the everyday tensions and conventions of urban lifestyles, photographer gail albert halaban looks within the brick-clad, muti-storey spaces inhabited by parisians for her series ‘paris views’. halaban’s lens reveals cinematic atmospheres and intimate stills of the lives occupying these domestic spaces, seemingly peering in to the private worlds of ordinary people. the collection comprises meticulously directed, window-framed versions of daily routine — a family plays instruments, a man sips a coffee, and woman changes her clothes — allowing the viewer to create their own fictional narrative about the characters, activities, and lifestyles illuminated within. although halaban’s photography appears to be voyeuristic, each scene has been carefully coordinated with consent, in turn strengthening her own, and the viewer’s relationship to the community. ‘paris views’ has recently been released by aperture as a 12o page book comprising 6o color images from the deeply personal collection.

 

 


gail albert halaban — paris views
video courtesy of

peering in paris apartments by gail albert halaban
a carefully coordinated scene taken with consent sees a woman changing in her home

peering in paris apartments by gail albert halaban
through the window, small children can be seen playing instruments while a mother looks on

peering in paris apartments by gail albert halaban
a cube-like apartment complex highlights the people living inside through large windows

peering in paris apartments by gail albert halaban
a man sips his coffee in a typical parisian-style apartment building

peering in paris apartments by gail albert halaban
a woman sits on the edge of her windowsill