Temporary exhibition at the Lutetia Paris – “Icons of the New Wave”

Temporary Exhibition “Icons of the New Wave”  by Philippe Carly – January 31 to April 11, 2025 – open from Thursday to Saturday, 6:00 p.m to 1:00 a.m

From January 31 to April 11, 2025, Bar Aristide will transform into a visual journey through the heart of the New Wave, the revolutionary music movement of the 1980s. Following the success of Icons of Pop Culture in 2022 and Gainsbourg, Toujours in 2023, the Parisian palace continues to honor musical photography, this time spotlighting the legends of the New Wave.

Titled Icons of the New Wave, the exhibition showcases the work of Belgian photographer Philippe Carly. Through a curated selection of iconic photographs, it takes visitors deep into the vibrant New Wave scene of the late 1970s and early 1980s, capturing the raw energy of that era. Iconic figures such as Blondie, Joy Division, Patti Smith, alongside the electric intensity of the Ramones, Iggy Pop, and more, form a vivid gallery that embodies the creativity and boldness defining the New Wave era.

Emerging after punk rock, the New Wave fused influences ranging from pop to electro and gave rise to a daring new generation of artists. This exhibition retraces that transformative musical era, characterized by its innovative aesthetics and avant-garde sound.

About Philippe Carly

Born in Belgium, Philippe Carly discovered photography through his father. Enthralled by the raw energy of punk and the New Wave, he quickly realized his future lay not on stage but behind the camera. Determined to document this cultural revolution, he pursued photography with passion, learning on the job.

For over a decade, Philippe Carly devoted his free time to capturing emerging artists in backrooms of cafés, gymnasiums, small clubs, and repurposed industrial spaces. His spontaneous photographs have become invaluable archives, immortalizing iconic moments. His work has been published in numerous music magazines and featured on album covers and in books.

In 2001, he launched newwavephotos.com, a platform showcasing his photographic archives, which has since captivated both music enthusiasts of the era and new generations. Philippe Carly’s timeless images continue to celebrate the visual and emotional legacy of the New Wave, reviving a period when music was a driving force of creativity and cultural transformation.