Art in an Occupied Country

 

During World War II, when Germany occupied France, the citizens were forbidden from taking photographs outdoors--unless they were given an official permit, which was nearly impossible to get. Especially in Paris, especially if you were French.

If you were caught taking pictures without this permit, you could be imprisoned, sent to a camp and killed.

Recently, I read an NPR article about how Raoul Minot, a man who worked at the department store, Le Printemps. The article describes about how this one man managed to take hundreds of photographs of Nazis on the streets of Paris from 1940-1942. He was not a professional photographer, but rather a handkerchief salesman. Yes, a handkerchief salesman, turned activist-photographer.

During the war years, Printemps harbored many members of the Resistance and organized safe passage for Jewish families escaping occupied France. 

Unfortunately, within the ranks of the Printemps employees, there was also a collaborator who turned on Raoul Minot and so he was arrested by the Gestapo and taken to a concentration camp where he died.

But this is not why I am telling you this story today. Rather, it's the idea of an ordinary man who sold delicate handkerchiefs during the war, risking his life. Raoul Minot was not a famous artist. He wasn't even a trained photographer, but the war inspired him to pick up a Kodak Brownie and to learn how to develop and print film. This creativity did not come down from the heavens to bless him with genius, but rather, it came from a moment in history. A cross-roads and an opportunity to make a difference.

Creative Friends--I am not suggesting you find a camera (although maybe I am), but what I am suggesting is that you keep your eyes and ears and heart open. Keep a journal. Draw pictures. Paint. Write songs. Sing. Document this time. You can make a big difference--perhaps not immediately, but mark my words--you will make a difference. 

Love,

Jamie