I went to Le Bal in good faith, encouraged by my two previous experiences there: beautiful exhibition space and wonderful restaurant near place Clichy. The photographer, Donna Gottschalk, was unknown to me, and the title of the exhibition, We Others, seemed more enigmatic than revealing. I expected to discover New York in the 1970s. The promise was kept, with one important clarification that quickly became apparent: We Others refers to the lesbian movement of the early 1970s in New York City. Donna Gottschalk photographed her friends, her lovers, her surroundings, even her parents. While historically significant, especially in today’s context, I cannot say the photographs resonated with me deeply on an artistic level and that I connected to them. Still, the visit was worthwhile, as it opened a window onto a life and a struggle I had not previously been exposed to… and their restaurant was closed.
