If you are in Paris at all from now until 21 July 2013, I would strongly recommend going along to the Dynamo Exhibition at the Grand Palais. This is an exhibition of ‘a century of light and motion in art, 1913 – 2013’. The exhibition takes over the whole space of the galleries of the quite magnificent Grand Palais. The display is vast and it is a phenomenal experience. I won’t go into detail writing about the pieces, you need to visit. I don’t believe that you can convey the experience of the art in this exhibition through written words. It is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon, there’s beauty, distortion, dreamlike, psychedelic, empty, strange…… (I could go on) art and art experiences. It really touches and provokes your senses. I’m sure there are parts of your brain opening up, that perhaps wouldn’t normally be touched through looking at art by looking at or experiencing some of the crazier pieces. I wouldn’t visit this if you are tired, make sure your head is on!
It was rather grey and dull when I went into Paris the other day. It still is always a pleasure, never a chore as they say. I do long for the bright blue skies to return. Now, I need to check myself – writing about the weather = very dull and boring. I did a few boring things – banking etc and then passed a few hours with a good walk around, popped into a few shops and had a quiet moment in l’Abbaye de Saint Germain des Près. I didn’t find him. I don’t think I’m ever going to really. Even though I have been to this area of Paris more times than I can remember, this was the first time I’d been inside this church. It is the oldest in Paris and the history of it is really interesting. I did have my camera with me but sometimes it just doesn’t feel right to be taking photos inside churches. Sometimes it’s just the English in me, there’s hardly anyone else around, no one else is taking photos – ‘Am I allowed?’ It is a good place to visit, it is atmospheric and I think you can feel the history. There are colourful frescoes, Romanesque paintings and the tomb of the French Philosopher René Descartes can be found here. (I’m not sure that all of his remains are here though, I thought there was a place for him at the Panthéon but after a quick look on the internet, there appears to be some confusion).
I did take a few photos on my walk around the city – here are two:
Tuileries Gardens
Random art I found around and about
Whist I wait for Spring I’ve been continuing to read my first French novel which is taking some time, (enjoyable time) and also listening to some great tunes.
Musings on tunes:
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds new album – Push the sky away is marvellous. It is dark, beautiful and emotional. I love it. Jubilee Street is just immense, I couldn’t get over this when we saw them live. I’ve also been listening to a some of their back catalogue.
Lescop – we are going to see him tomorrow evening. I’m looking forward to it. The band on before him are called ‘Wankin Noodles’, I need to look them up before we go. This is one of Lescop’s tunes:
I have just had a look at my ‘recently played’ list and it is rather eclectic. I wonder what it says about my mind? There’s the above and then here’s a snippet:
Knife Party – Bonfire
Palma Voilets – Set up for the Cool Cats
Slowdive – Blue Skied An’ Clear
Stereolab – French Disko
Peace – 1998
Boney M – Rasputin
Daft Punk – Robot Rock
Engineers – Sometimes I realise
Simple Minds – Don’t you forget about me (That’s because I’ve booked tickets to go and see them in November. Nothing like indulging in a bit of nostalgia every now and again I say)
INXS – various – New Sensation, Listen like Thieves, Never tear us apart, Mystify, Need you tonight………. I’d forgotten how much I did love them at the time
Jacky Chalard – Super Man, Super Cool
Kendrick Lamar – Backseat Freestyle
KRS-One – Sound of Da Police
Johnny Marr – The Messenger
Iggy Pop/Iggy Pop and the Stooges – I’m quite enjoying the new tune ‘Burn’
Timber Timbre – Magic Arrow
Serge Gainsbourg & Brigitte Bardot – Bonnie and Clyde
It is all over the place. This variety of music has seen me through the last few days whilst I’ve been busy updating my CV, reading, researching, writing, thinking (philosophising I call it) and the very boring and middle-aged like inevitable spring clean!
Here’s a picture of Serge Gainsbourg we found at a gig in Rouen.
Serge Gainsbourg
Quote of my day:
“To live without philosophising is in truth the same as keeping the eyes closed without attempting to open them.” – Réne Descartes
How random is this post? Very! It’s the state of mind.
I thought I’d recommend this as something to do if you happen to be in Paris for, or during the next month or so. The Joel Meyerowitz retrospective exhibition is on at the Maison Européenne de la Photographie until 7th April 2013: Joel Meyerowitz Une Rétrospective
This was a wonderful way to pass a few hours during an afternoon. There was quite a large queue out at the front but it went down quite quickly. The organisation was good, only allowing a reasonable amount of people in at a time ensured you could enjoy the exhibition without a lot of over-crowding. Unfortunately this often happens at some of the popular photography exhibitions.
I came out of the exhibition totally inspired. I imagine anyone with an interest in photography would do. I was aware of Joel Meyerowitz work before I visited, but to see this retrospective was a superb experience. I pondered over the photographs in awe at the detail and asked myself questions as to what was happening in that snapshot of time. It is truly marvellous.
I found an interview with Joel in the Observer newspaper from 11 November 2012 which is quite interesting. Interview – Joel Meyerowitz
The conclusion to the interview and what photography is to him is both amusing and insightful!
For him, he says in conclusion, photography has essentially been a series of questions he has tried to find a way to answer. “It’s me asking myself: ‘How interesting is this medium? And how interesting can I make it for me? And, by the way, who the fuck am I?'” Has he found a definitive answer to that one? “No, not yet,” he says, smiling, “and time is running out. But I’m getting there.”
Suze en France 