There’s no better way to start a new season in the fashion capital than with a whole new look. True, Paris can be pricy, but during the two yearly sales, prices are slashed to invite some healthy indulgence of retail therapy. The summer sales (called soldes in French) go to July 25. Continue reading “Paris’ Summer Sales 2023”
English-speaking Paris
The Paris Brotherhood Sextet playing the spirit of jazz performs March 05, 9PM, 2020 at d’Emma Studio, Centre Edmond Flag, 8, bis rue de l’Eperon, 75006, Paris. With a brand of funky-bop these musicians are as real as it gets these days in Paris. Check them out.
Vivian Maier Color Photos at Les Douches
There’s a lot of buzz these days in the photo world about the discovery of work by street photographer Vivan Maier (1926 – 2009). Now Parisians can see some of her rare color photos with an exhibition at Les Douches Gallery (to March 30, 2019). The photos are a selection of prints from the John Maloof Collection in association with the Howard Greenberg Gallery, New York. Continue reading “Vivian Maier Color Photos at Les Douches”
Decisive Moments Revisited
Seeing the exhibition “Images à la Sauvette” at the Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson is for many photographers almost like touching treasured saints’ relics. The exhibition is a selection of vintage black and white photos —along with the original maquette— from Cartier-Bresson’s legendary book. Continue reading “Decisive Moments Revisited”
Louis Stettner Remembered
Paris long-time expat Louis Stettner recently died at his home in Saint-Ouen, France. He was 93. Stettner was one of the last living “humanist” photographers of his generation, which included Bresson and Doisneau. His black and white photographs are both social documents and poetry. Pupil and lifelong friend of the photographer Brassai, Stettner sought to capture in his glimpses of daily life a profound connection to reality while casting light on the human experience in all its facets. Continue reading “Louis Stettner Remembered”
British Expats Get New Voting Rights
The British government recently announced plans on how it will deliver on its commitment to allow all expats to vote in parliamentary elections. The Minister for the Constitution, Chris Skidmore, announced the new policy which sets out how the government will remove the current 15-year time limit on British citizens who live abroad registering as overseas electors. Continue reading “British Expats Get New Voting Rights”
Avedon’s France: Old World, New Look
Richard Avedon’s French connection is the focus of an exhibition at Paris’ Bibliotheque-Mitterand (to February 26, 2017). From early fashion photos taken in Paris during the 40’s and 50’s to pictures taken in the 80’s for magazines such as “Egoiste” to his last visits to his French photographer friend Lartique, the exhibition traces the American photographer’s long creative relationship with France. Continue reading “Avedon’s France: Old World, New Look”
Francesca Woodman at Fondation HCB
The Fondation Henri Cartier Breson revisits the photographer Francesca Woodman with a thematic overview exhibition of her work titled “on Being an Angel.” (until July 31, 2016). Woodman (1958-1981) is known for her enigmatic stage-managed blurred black and white photos featuring either herself or female models often nude. Her intimate autobiographical approach to the medium has inspired a generation of young photographers. Continue reading “Francesca Woodman at Fondation HCB”
Henri Rousseau… Paradise & Jungles
Paris’ Musée d’Orsay tributes legendary French 19th century painter Henri Rousseau with an exhibition “Le Douanier Rousseau, L’Innocence Archaique” placing him in the context of his times (to July 17, 2016). Rousseau, (1844-1910) famed for his dreamlike atmospheres, enchanted landscapes and jungle scenes, was an important figure in art during the late 19th century and the early days of Modernism. He is still hard to categorize. Was he an inspired self-taught Naif or a harbinger of Modern Art? Maybe both.
Continue reading “Henri Rousseau… Paradise & Jungles”
Paris’ Museum Night 2016
The Nuit des Musées is a chance to go museum hopping in Paris for free (until midnight May 21). The aim of the event, organized by the French Ministry of Culture, is to encourage people to get out and see some art. No excuses! In addition to art exhibitions the evening includes workshops, concerts, installations and performances.
Most of the city’s museums will be participating including the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Centre Pompidou, Arts and Metiers Museum, Palais de la Découverte and Decorative Arts Museum. For the biggies be prepared to stand in long lines. The “Nuit” takes place in thirty cities around Europe. Last year, over 1300 museums in France participated in the European Museum Night, and over 2 million people attended throughout Europe.
In addition to Nuit des Musées future fests organized by Paris include the Fête de la Musique celebrating the start of summer (June 21st) , Heritage Days in September, Paris Summer Quarter Fest, which starts July 14th and Bastille Day’s Night street dances July 13-14.
The Spectacular Second Empire
A major exhibition—”Spectaculaire Second Empire, 1852-1870″— at the Musee d’Orsay celebrates the museum’s 30th anniversary (to January 15, 2017). It revisits a time when France was at its zenith with paintings, sculptures, photographs, architectural drawings, objets d’art and jewels depicting a brilliant era rich in contradictions.
The Second French Empire corresponds with the reign of Emperor Napoleon III (1852-1870)). Paris was the largest city in continental Europe and the center for finance, fashion and the arts. Beginning in 1853 Napoleon III and his prefect Georges-Eugene Haussaman, over the course of seventeen years, completely rebuilt the heart of the city, creating new boulevards its famous parks and train stations, giving the city its present appearance. In addition, Napoleon III completed the Louvre, built five new theaters and commissioned the Palais Garnier Paris Opera. Continue reading “The Spectacular Second Empire”