This November, Paris is not only home to the world’s premier photography fair, Paris Photo 2024, but also to an intimate celebration of a music icon whose voice transcended generations: Ray Charles.
In honour of the twentieth anniversary of the legendary artist’s passing, the Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris is unveiling a curated exhibition of photographs by Arlette Kotchounian, the esteemed French author-composer and personal friend of “The Genius.” These photographs, on display from the 5th to the 16th of November offer an exclusive glimpse into the private world of Ray Charles through the eyes of Kotchounian, capturing his essence in the very suite where he often stayed during his time in Paris.
For over half a century, Arlette Kotchounian has been a vital force in music and photography, her career characterized by an unparalleled proximity to some of the most influential artists of the 20th century. Born in 1942 in Paris, Kotchounian navigated the world of jazz, chanson, and soul with a rare sensitivity, working alongside icons like Sonny Rollins, Stevie Wonder, Mick Jagger, and Gilberto Gil.
Her journey as both an author and photographer brought her into the orbit of Ray Charles, with whom she collaborated and shared a profound friendship. Her photographic work with Charles became an extension of their shared love for music and art, an exploration that fused the visual and auditory into a deeply evocative legacy.
The Royal Monceau exhibition features five unpublished photographs taken by Kotchounian that capture Ray Charles in rare moments of repose, creativity, and introspection within the suite that now bears his name. The images are both a personal memory and a historical document, reflecting the rapport and trust that existed between the artist and his friend behind the lens.
In White Shirt IV (1985), for instance, Kotchounian’s meticulous framing brings Charles astonishingly close to the viewer, evoking an almost tangible familiarity. Her careful composition and play with light render a portrayal of Charles that is both intimate and iconic, as if we too are privy to his inner world. Another image, Flight Case (1985), presents Charles’s suitcase on an unmade bed—an evocative symbol of the transient life of a touring musician. The suite itself, Suite 714, mirrors this transitory existence, blending the luxurious with the personal, and transforming the hotel room into a sanctuary of nostalgia and quiet reflection.
Perhaps one of the most profound works in the series is Hands III (1997), a stunning close-up of Ray’s hands poised above the piano keys, frozen in a moment that suggests the music’s pulse even in silence. Kotchounian’s nuanced chiaroscuro technique in this image draws attention to the expressive potential of a single gesture, evoking the dynamic interplay between sound and stillness that defines her approach. In Loving You (1983), Kotchounian captures Charles’s sheet music, “I Can’t Stop Loving You,” casting the score in dramatic contrast. The photograph’s chiaroscuro effect brings to mind the smooth cadences of Charles’s melodies, with tonal subtleties that resonate much like his voice.
As viewers stroll through Suite 714, each photograph serves as a portal into the private world of Ray Charles, with Kotchounian’s signature style serving as a visual melody accompanying the life and legacy of one of music’s most cherished figures. More than a celebration of Charles’s life, this exhibition is a tribute to the unbreakable bond between two artists, forever intertwined through the lenses of sound and image.
This limited-time exhibition at the Royal Monceau invites us to experience Ray Charles anew, to see him not just as the famed “Genius” but as a man of warmth, soul, and striking intimacy. For those fortunate enough to visit during Paris Photo 2024, this homage promises a profound encounter with a legend, as captured by the lens of a true confidante.
