No Ordinary Season

James Jacobs’ debut novel “No Ordinary Season” revisits life in small town America. A first impression could be this is just another coming of age book. It is much more than that. Appearing a century after Sinclair Lewis’ iconic “Main Street,” Jacobs’ book, situated in the fictional town of River Bend, Indiana, portrays a town with some of the provincial attitudes and prejudices of Lewis’ day. Continue reading “No Ordinary Season”

Nils-Udo’s Black Bamboo 

“Black Bamboo”

“Black Bamboo” is the title of artist Nils-Udo’s monumental installation temporarily occupying two floors at the Fondation EDF in Paris (until Feb 02, 2020). Since the artist’s work is usually seen outdoors, often times in remote areas, this is a rare opportunity to see his work indoors in an urban setting… and it only costs the price of a metro ticket (if you are already in Paris). Continue reading “Nils-Udo’s Black Bamboo “

Cuban Posters Revisited in Paris

Alfredo Rostgaard, 1969, courtesy MAD, Paris

The Musée des Arts Décoratifs exhibition Affiches cubaines: révolution et cinéma, 1959-2019 (Cuban Posters: Revolution and Cinema, 1959-2019) looks at Cuban poster design with a focus on the golden era of the 1960s and 1970s. This exhibition is a rare look at a group of artists who created a unique approach to poster design and also a chance to revisit the Cuban political and cultural context for the work (to February 02, 2020).  Continue reading “Cuban Posters Revisited in Paris”

Degas at the Opera

For the Paris Opera’s 350th anniversary the Musée d’Orsay features the exhibition ‘Degas at the Opera,’ co-organized with the National Gallery of Art in Washington DCs, showing paintings, drawings, sculptures and pastels by the artist, including iconic works such as The Little Fourteen-Year-Old Dancer, Foyer de la Danse or La Loge  (to January 19, 2020). Continue reading “Degas at the Opera”

Trees Exhibition at Fondation Cartier

Artists, botanists and philosophers contemplate the world of trees with the exhibition “Nous Les Arbres,” at the Fondation Cartier Pour l”Art Contemporain through drawings, paintings, films and installations. It includes a diverse array of work from internationally recognized artists, such as photographer-filmmaker Raymond Depardon to indigenous Yanomami Amerindians living in northern Brazil depicting the trees they use for food, medicine and shamanic rituals (to January 5, 2020) Continue reading “Trees Exhibition at Fondation Cartier”

Sense in the City, Paris

Imagine waking to the peals of morning church bells in a small French village or devouring fresh flakes of a buttery croissant you’ve just dunked in coffee at a street-side café in Paris…  When we’re travelling, a picture-postcard location, and a good view of it is always appealing. We want a hotel room, restaurant table or lookout that allows us to gaze in awe across an exotic landscape.  Continue reading “Sense in the City, Paris”