Paul Lesch Interview on the Steichen Collections

This time last year, it was announced that Paul Lesch, Director of the National Audiovisual Centre (CNA), would assume the function of curator of the Steichen collections which showcase the works of Edward Steichen (1879 - 1973), a renowned American photographer of Luxembourgish descent.

The announcement, by then Minister of Culture, Sam Tanson, added that Paul Lesch would be in charge of research around the work of Edward Steichen as well as linking the Steichen collections scattered across the country. Two exhibitions, namely The Family of Man and The Bitter Years, are curated and displayed by the CNA at Clervaux Castle and Dudelange, respectively.

Paul Lesch stated at the time that he would not run for a second term in his current position as Director of the CNA, but he declared himself ready to remain in his position ad interim, after the expiry of his first mandate from February 2023, until his successor was appointed. Gilles Zeimet was appinted the new CNA Director and took up the post on 15 September 2023.

Chronicle.lu got the opportunity to talk with Paul Lesch about his new role.

Chronicle.lu: You have been Director at the CNA for seven years and have recently been appointed "Commissiare aux collections Edward Steichen" at the Ministry of Culture. Please tell us how this change came about.

Paul Lesch: Last year, I decided not to extend my 7-year mandate as director of the CNA for a variety of professional and personal reasons. Despite a number of difficulties resulting from a necessary internal reorganisation of the institution, I am very satisfied with the work that has been achieved at the CNA over the last 7 years and I am very confident that my successor Gilles Zeimet will continue to prepare the CNA and its archives for the many challenges of the future.

Nevertheless, I didn't want to retire (which I could have because of my age). I wanted to put my experience as well as the national and international networks I had developed over the last four decades to good use in Luxembourg's cultural world. The Ministry offered me the job of Edward Steichen Collections Commissioner, a sort of 'liaison officer' between all the institutions and themes connected with Edward Steichen on one side, and the Ministry of Culture on the other. This entails working with the CNA, the MNAHA, the City of Luxembourg, the University of Luxembourg, the UNESCO Commission, the Steichen family, Luxembourgish embassies and national and international researchers, etc.

The "Edward Steichen collections commissioner" also helps to promote the various Steichen collections nationally and internationally. As part of my work, I am furthermore compiling historical and scientific documentation relating to Edward Steichen, which can be made available to national and international researchers. Personally, based on new source material that I was able to gather, I will focus in my research (and possible publications) on the Edward Steichen "brand", his national and international reception, as well as his activities during World War 2, especially his film "The Fighting Lady", he directed in 1945.

Chronicle.lu: Please tell us a little bit about the Edward Steichen Collection and what it comprises. Many people are aware of the Family of Man photo exhibition at the Chateau de Clervaux, but there is a lot more to the collection that that.

Paul Lesch: "The Steichen Collections" in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg brings together the heritage associated with Edward J. Steichen (1879 - 1973). It covers Steichen's two careers. His career as a photographer and his career as a curator. In addition to the exhibition "The Family of Man" curated by Edward Steichen at MoMA in 1955 and presented on a permanent basis by the CNA at the Château de Clervaux since 1994, Luxembourg also owns the exhibition "The Bitter Years" curated by Steichen in 1962. It is currently stored and processed in the CNA archives. Luxembourg also owns the important collections of the MNAHA and the City of Luxembourg (made up of photographs by Edward Steichen), which are part of the "Steichen Collections". Details can be found on the following website: https://steichencollections.lu/en

There is at least one other important collection of photos by Edward Steichen in Luxembourg. Ideally, this collection should also be included in the official "Steichen Collections" in the near future, so that interested parties can learn even more about the rich and varied work of the great American photographer of Luxembourgish origin.

Chronicle.lu: Where are the collections stored? Does it need special climatic conditions?

Paul Lesch: The different collections are shown/stored in good climatic and lighting conditions at the MNAHA, at the Castle in Clervaux and at the CNA. Modern archives and museums are committed to do everything in their power to ensure the best possible conservation of artworks in general and photos (which are especially fragile) in particular.

Chronicle.lu: Do you seek to organise other exhibitions in other countries? Do you have plans for other exhibitions in Luxembourg, in other countries, possibly in other locations?

Paul Lesch: For the moment, I'm not planning any exhibition on Edward Steichen, but I am willing to lend my assistance and my expertise to possible future Steichen-related exhibitions here in Luxembourg or abroad.