Photo : TheAnonymousProject_USA2
Teenage Dream
Presented from October 16 to December 20 at Quai de la Photo, the Teenage Dream exhibition brings together a selection of anonymous photographs displayed throughout the art center in various formats.
Quai de la Photo (Paris 13th)
About
Sourced from The Anonymous Project, founded by Lee Shulman, these amateur photographs immerse us in the memories of a generation that saw the birth of adolescence as an identity in its own right. Between first loves, friendships, graduations, parties, and desires for emancipation, the exhibition reveals the richness of these ordinary moments that have become universal.
From its appearance in popular culture, adolescence has become an object of fascination as much as concern. The films of this period bear witness to this: adolescents are often depicted as rebellious, uncontrollable, sometimes even monstrous or otherworldly.
By re-examining his archives through the lens of adolescence, Lee Shulman moves away from these representations to rediscover the truth of everyday life. The selected photographs reveal moments of life where joy and melancholy, sometimes carelessness and awkwardness, mingle, each offering a sensitive look at this fleeting yet defining period of life for these young adults.
The exhibition gives substance to this adolescence through a series of iconic moments. From graduations to first sporting achievements, from first proms to first loves, Teenage Dream composes a portrait of metamorphosis, where great friendships, bursts of independence, and memories that stay with us for a lifetime are forged.
Our take on this event
Step back in time through an intimate collection of amateur photographs that strip away the myths surrounding teenage years to reveal their authentic, unfiltered core. You will discover a universal portrait of youth, where every awkward smile and stolen moment feels like an echo of your own most formative memories.
Teenage Dream arrives at Quai de la Photo in the 13th arrondissement, offering an intimate look at the evolution of adolescence as a distinct phase of life. Drawing from The Anonymous Project, curated by Lee Shulman, the exhibition showcases amateur photographs that capture the universal essence of youth, from first heartbreaks to celebratory graduations. Moving away from pop culture tropes, these images reveal the authentic joys and vulnerabilities of growing up. This event is free to attend and welcomes visitors from Wednesday to Sunday, between 12:00 and 02:00, from November 1 to December 20, 2026.
Located at Quai de la Photo, 9 port de la Gare, the exhibition Teenage Dream runs until December 20, 2026. This collection is rooted in the archives of The Anonymous Project, founded by Lee Shulman, and aims to explore how adolescence became a formative identity. By shunning the rebellious or monstrous stereotypes often found in cinema, the exhibition focuses on the raw, everyday reality of young people, capturing moments of friendship, ambition, and personal discovery.
The featured amateur photographs offer a sensitive perspective on the fleeting yet critical years of adolescence. Visitors will encounter scenes ranging from academic achievements and sporting triumphs to the awkwardness of first dates and the formation of lifelong bonds. It is a poignant visual journey into the nostalgia of coming of age.
The exhibition is open to the public from Wednesday to Sunday, with extended hours from 12:00 to 02:00. Access to the venue is free, allowing everyone to explore these intimate glimpses of history throughout the duration of the event, which began on November 1, 2026.
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