What is a salon?

Art salons have been held in Paris since the late 17th century as public exhibitions of artworks. The French Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture sponsored the official events, which were highly conservative and imposed strict rules on style, subject matter, and technique. They were held in the Louvre Palace's salon carré, which gave them their name. However, some innovative and independent artists felt excluded or rejected by the jury, leading them to create their own alternative exhibitions, which became known as art salons. These were often organized by associations or groups of artists who shared a common aesthetic or political agenda.

One of the most famous examples of these alternative art salons was the Salon des Refusés (Salon of the Rejected), which was held in 1863 by order of Emperor Napoleon III. This salon displayed over 2,000 artworks refused by the official salon jury that year, including works by Édouard Manet, Gustave Courbet, Paul Cézanne, James McNeill Whistler, and Camille Pissarro. These artists challenged the conventions of academic art with their realistic depiction of modern life, bold use of color and light, and experimental techniques. The Salon des Refusés attracted attention from critics and the public alike, with some admiring and some mocking the new forms of expression.

Another influential example was the Salon des Indépendants (Salon of Independents), which was founded in 1884 by Georges Seurat, Paul Signac, Odilon Redon, and others. This salon had no jury and no prizes and was open to any artist who paid a small fee to participate. The Salon des Indépendants became a platform for avant-garde movements such as neo-impressionism (or pointillism), fauvism (or wild beasts), cubism (or geometric abstraction), surrealism (or dreamlike imagery), etc. These movements explored new ways of representing reality through color theory, optical effects, emotional expression, geometric forms, and subconscious associations. The Salon des Indépendants introduced many famous artists to the public, such as Vincent van Gogh, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, André Derain, and Salvador Dalí.

A third notable example was the Salon d'Automne (Salon of Autumn), established in 1903 by Frantz Jourdain, Georges Rouault, Henri Matisse, and others. This salon aimed to promote young and emerging artists who were ignored or marginalized by the official salon and other institutions.

The Salon d'Automne showcased diverse styles and genres of art, such as sculpture, photography, architecture, and decorative arts. It was especially important for the development of modern art in France, as it hosted some groundbreaking exhibitions such as the Fauve Room in 1905, the Cubist Room in 1910, the Orphist Room in 1912, and the Surrealist Room in 1925.

Art salons played a crucial role in the history and evolution of art in Paris and beyond. They were not only places to display artworks but also spaces to express ideas, challenge norms, experiment with forms, communicate with audiences, and collaborate.

Who We Are

Inspired by the rebellious spirit of the later art salons, Cinematography Salon is a community that nurtures and supports emerging talent in the field of cinematography. The group seeks to celebrate the art of cinematography and to nurture a community of unique individuals who share a passion for the craft. Just as the salons of before provided a platform for artists to exhibit their work and challenge traditional norms, Cinematography Salon aims to provide a space to showcase work, exchange ideas, and push the boundaries of cinematography.

By creating a space for filmmakers to connect with each other, share knowledge and resources, and collaborate on new projects, Cinematography Salon hopes to encourage the development of new and innovative approaches to the craft, just as the art salons did for painting and sculpture in the past.

How We Got Here

Cinematography Salon was started in 2015 by Director of Photography David Kruta as a safe and private space for a small group of cinematographers to discuss the inner workings of their careers. Over the years, it grew organically and now comprises multiple outlets with thousands of members, with the simple goal of celebrating cinematography.