Rodin’s Invisible Balzac

Auguste Rodin, “Etude de robe de chambre pour Balzac” 1897

The Musée Rodin hosts a temporary exhibition “Corps In-Visibles,” drawing on a series of sculptures and studies from the museum’s collection along with 19th century garments from the Palais Galliera. This fascinating exhibition revisits how Rodin created one of his most iconic works: “Monument to Balzac.” (to March 02, 2025). The point of departure for this exhibition features the ghost-like “Study for Balzac’s Dressing Gown,” an empty plaster garment suggesting the body it covered… reminiscent of “The Invisible Man” sci-fi thriller. Continue reading “Rodin’s Invisible Balzac”

L’Age Atomique Revisited

Bruce Conner, “Bombhead” 2002

The Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris host “L’Age Atomique” Les artistes à l’épreuve de l’histoire,” an exhibition revisiting how the era is depicted by artists from the forties until today. Bringing together some 250 works—paintings, drawings, photographs, vintage movie clips, installations and documents –the exhibition includes rarely seen works by such major artists as Francis Bacon, Lazlo Moholy-Nagy, Le Corbusier, and Salvador Dali (to February 09, 2025) Continue reading “L’Age Atomique Revisited”

Tarsila do Amaral. Painting Modern Brazil

The Musée du Luxembourg in Paris hosts a Tarsila do Amaral retrospective, “Peindre le Brésil Moderne,” revisiting the work of a central figure of Brazilian modernism (to February 02, 2025). This exhibition (with around 150 works) is surprisingly her first retrospective in France. Until recently the artist— called the Brazilian Picasso— was rarely exhibited outside her home country. Continue reading “Tarsila do Amaral. Painting Modern Brazil”

Tale of Two Trees

©Anne-Sophie Emard. Galerie Odile Ouizeman occupies the amazing Maison Galvani designed by architect Christian Pottgiesser

Galerie Odile Ouizeman is showing Anne-Sophie Emard’s immersive installation “Twiinning Trees, Le bois est un document,” which poetically links two lime trees (tilleuls)… one located in the gallery’s indoor garden, and the other, a remarkable 400 year-old lime tree growing on botanist Sylvain Pouvaret’s arnica herb farm (located in the Auvergne, Puy-de-Dome).

The exhibition is a collaboration with “le projet Silvae and the Conservatoire d’Espaces Naturels d’Auvergne” (to December 10, 2024) Continue reading “Tale of Two Trees”

Montmartre Fetes its Wine

Image
Monmartre © Miyazaki
 

That the Butte’s wine is almost undrinkable has never gotten in the way of what has to be one of this capital’s best annual fests! This year the Fete des Vendanges de Montmartre takes place Oct 9-15, 2024.

As with any good party, this one has something for everybody: it’s part folklore, with fraternal orders from the winegrowing regions of France turning out in traditional robes and quirky hats, and part Arbor Day parade, complete with Harvest Queen, marching bands and street theater. Continue reading “Montmartre Fetes its Wine”

Jazzy Dance Rendez Vous

Chanson, tap dance, joie de vivre with a Frenchy jazzy cabaret on a barge on the Seine in central Paris? Sounds good to us!  Check out the “Parisian Time Step” show–July 28 and August 04, 2024– from tap dancer Ruby Boukabou and singer/ dancer Wendy Lee Taylor (Lido de Paris) with piano by Philippe Petit and Cédric Caullaud on double bass. The show is a fun celebration of Paris, music and tap dance where the audience time travels back to the Belle Epoque with its cheeky polkas; 1930s music halls and smokey 1940s-50s Saint Germain jazz bars. Continue reading “Jazzy Dance Rendez Vous”

36 Hours in Paris

Ruby Boukabou with her Paris notebook

Only in Paris for a few days and overwhelmed by the options? Follow this suggested itinerary for an unforgettable trip. The following is an extract from Ruby Boukabou’s “The Architecture Lover’s Guide to Paris” (White Owl Books), a fabulous new guide book catering to both armchair travelers dreaming of a future visit and those lucky enough to actually get to Paris during these troubled pandemic times. Available worldwide. More info and online orders at www.rubytv.net/books . Continue reading “36 Hours in Paris”

Robert Ryman at l’Orangerie

“Robert Ryman. Act of Looking” Musée de l’Orangerie

The “Robert Ryman. Act of Looking” exhibition at Paris’ Musée de l’Orangerie revisits the artist’s minimalist white on white paintings (until July 01, 2024). Quintessentially art for art’s sake, people either love or hate this kind of work. Ryman (1930-2019) is a self-taught American painter, who began working in New York in the late 1950’s. He spent most of his career exploring the foundations of painting. Returning to the formula of the white square time after time — which he chose for its neutrality— he explored all the material components of a painting from texture, to surface to lighting and hanging systems. Continue reading “Robert Ryman at l’Orangerie”

Tina Modotti at Jeu de Paume

The “Tina Modotti. L’oeil de la révolution” exhibit at Paris’ Jeu de Paume (until May 12, 2024) revisits this legendary femme extraordinaire with a large exhibition tracing her career from silent film actress and model to photographer to Communist activist. Modotti (Udine, Italy, 1896 – Mexico City, 1942) moved to Mexico with photographer Edward Weston in 1923 becoming part of the “Mexican Renaissance” and its thriving post-revolutionary culture. Joining the circle of artists and mural painters there, she quickly combined Weston’s formalism with her own personal vision. She joined the Mexican Communist Party (CPM) in 1927 and used her camera to denounce the plight of the poor, paying particular attention to conveying the experience of Mexican women. Continue reading “Tina Modotti at Jeu de Paume”

Jazz Pianist Lenore Raphael Swings into Paris

Lenore Raphael

One of the things we love about Paris is the opportunity to hear so many top jazz performers. Lenore Raphael, who jazz critics have compared to Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans and even Thelonious Monk, will be in town playing her brand of modern swinging jazz (April 10, 2024) at the Cercle Suedois. Performing with Lenore is bassist Hilliard Greene who was music director for Little Jimmy Scott  and joining them is top guitarists  Wayne Wilkinson. Considered by many as one of great Steinway artists, she has performed at some of the world’s top jazz venues and festivals such as The London Jazz Festival, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Ronnie Scott’s (London) and the Blue Note. Continue reading “Jazz Pianist Lenore Raphael Swings into Paris”