“Jardins Extraordinaires” — a series of sixty photographs showing some of the world’s most beautiful gardens—is exhibited on the gates of the Luxembourg Garden (until July 21, 2017). The outdoor exhibition is in parallel to a large garden theme exhibition “Jardins” at the Grand Palais. Continue reading “Extraordinary Gardens Exhibited”
Claude Iverné Sudan Photographs
French photographer Claude Iverné, awarded the 2015 HCB Prize for his project “Sudanese photographs, the river of Gazelles,” has been exploring North and South Sudan for nearly twenty years. He is exhibiting his “Bilad es Sudan” photos at the Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson (until July 30, 2017). Continue reading “Claude Iverné Sudan Photographs”
Rodin, the Centennial Exhibition
“The Thinker” and “The Kiss” are among the world’s most recognizable sculptures. Both were created by the French artist Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) and are part of an extensive retrospective of the artists work paying homage to the centenary of his death at the Grand Palais ((until July 31). Continue reading “Rodin, the Centennial Exhibition”
“Jardins” at Grand Palais
Claude Monet once said “I perhaps owe it to flowers that I have become a painter.” Monet cultivated gardens wherever he lived. Today an estimated half million visitors pay homage to the artist’s Giverny garden where he painted his renowned water lilies. But Monet —although the most famous — is far from being the only artist inspired by gardens. Continue reading ““Jardins” at Grand Palais”
Primitive Picasso in Paris
Picasso said he experienced a “revelation” while viewing African art at Paris’ Palais du Trocadéro ethnographic museum. “A smell of mould and neglect caught me by the throat. I was so depressed that I would have chosen to leave immediately. But I forced myself to stay, to examine these masks, all these objects that people had created with a sacred, magical purpose, to serve as intermediaries between them and the unknown, hostile forces surrounding them, attempting in that way to overcome their fears by giving them colour and form. And then I understood what painting really meant. It’s not an aesthetic process; it’s a form of magic that interposes itself between us and the hostile universe, a means of seizing power by imposing a form on our terrors as well as on our desires. The day I understood that, I had found my path.” His discovery that day of African art resulted in what became his “African” style (1906-1909) and his iconic “Les Demoiselles d’Avignon.” Continue reading “Primitive Picasso in Paris”
Make Love, Not Walls…
With France’s presidential elections coming soon and the American political debacle, Parisians are talking non stop politics. And then along comes a very unusual Diesel advertising campaign saying “Make Love Not Walls.” The video ad (with posters in the Paris metro) is a collaboration by photographer David LaChapelle and Diesel art director Nicola Formichetti. Continue reading “Make Love, Not Walls…”
Dianne Bos’ Remembrance of Time Past
Canadian photographer Dianne Bos is interested in capturing the impression of time passing rather than decisive moments typical of most documentary photography. Her exhibition “The Sleeping Green, no man’s land 100 years later” featuring pinhole and experimental photography is at Paris’ Canadian Culture Center (until Sept. 8). Continue reading “Dianne Bos’ Remembrance of Time Past”
Josef Koudelka at Pompidou
The Pompidou Center exhibits Josef Koudelka’s classic “Exiles” series. We haven’t seen his work in Paris since his big exhibition in 1988 at the Centre National du Photographie. Last year Koudelka donated to the Pompidou Center his entire “Exiles” series. The exhibition (free) includes these photos along with some interesting self-portraits taken by the photographer during his travels. Continue reading “Josef Koudelka at Pompidou”
Travaux de Dames?
The Musée Les Arts Decoratif opened its “Travaux de Dames” exhibition on International Womens’ Day featuring such artists as Niki de Saint-Phalle, Charlotte Perriand, Sonia Delauney and Elsa Schiaparelli. Canadian contemporary ceramic artist Kristin McKirdy— who has lived and taught classes in Paris for over 20 years— is showing an example of her new wall ensemble work. Continue reading “Travaux de Dames?”
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”
Paris Museums
With over 30 million visitors a year, Paris is the world’s most visited city. Among its many attractions are its 153 museums, which showcase an incredibly diverse collection of art from all around the world. Continue reading “Paris Museums”