Abstract
Eli Lotar's photographs of Parisian abattoir at La Villette were commissioned by Georges Bataille in 1929 and appeared in journal, Documents, alongside Bataille's Critical Dictionary essay, Abattoir. Part of anthropological insight rests on intense psychic and physical connection between abattoir workers and their animals within closed-off but nevertheless parallel world of La Villette—what Cox astutely describes as curious para-urban site. Often referred to as the city of blood, abattoir and surrounding live cattle market at La Villette was erected in 1860s as a part of Haussmann's renovation and modernization of Paris. As Germaine Krull's apprentice and partner from 1926, Lotar initially came into contact with Krull's New Vision sensibility before drifting into surrealist photographic circle, setting up a photography studio specializing in portraits with surrealist photographer, Jacques-Andre Boiffard in 1930.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
