Paris’ English-speaking theater company Dear Conjunction is back this season with Justin Butcher’s play “Scaramouche Jones,” performed by Leslie Clack and directed by Patricia Kessler, at the Theatre Nesle (Nov21 to Dec 7, 2019). Continue reading “Dear Conjunction Stages “Scaramouche Jones””
City of Dark
How safe is a city built on a void? Hundreds of kilometers of abandoned quarry tunnels snake under huge parts of Paris. It is illegal to penetrate the city’s’ underground world, yet every year thousands of subterranean explorers do just that. Drawing on Paris’ underground urban legends, Canadian author and long-time Paris resident, Claire Dickinson dares us to imagine —with her new book “City of Dark”— what would happen if that world were taken over by terrorists. Continue reading “City of Dark”
J’Veux du Soleil
A new French documentary film “J’Veux du Soleil ” (I Want the Sun), directed by Gilles Perret and Francois Ruffin, looks at the rural discontent fueling the Gilet Jaune (Yellow Vests) movement. Continue reading “J’Veux du Soleil”
Cruising the Canal de l’Ourcq
The prettiest and least visited part of the Canal de l’Ourcq, which enters Paris at Porte de la Villette, is its beginning at Port aux Perches in the Aisne département, 70 km north east of the capital. Continue reading “Cruising the Canal de l’Ourcq”
John Baxter Loves Paris
“I love Paris in the winter when it drizzles. I love Paris in the summer when it sizzles….” Like with the iconic Cole Porter song, Australian Paris-based writer John Baxter loves Paris. Proof is that since moving here in 1989 he has written several books about the city including “We’ll Always Have Paris: Sex and Love in the City of Light,” “Immoveable feast : a Paris Christmas,” “The Most Beautiful Walk in the World : a Pedestrian in Paris” and “Five Nights in Paris: After Dark in the City of Light.” Continue reading “John Baxter Loves Paris”
Walking on the Moon
The Apollo 11 lunar module with Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon fifty years ago on July 20, 1969. Armstrong’s first step onto the lunar surface was broadcast on live TV to a worldwide audience. He famously described the event as “one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.” To mark the occasion Paris’ Grand Palais is exhibiting “La Lune, du voyage réel aux voyages imaginaires” (to July 22, 2019). Continue reading “Walking on the Moon”
Workers of the World…
Around the working world in 80 photos is an exhibition titled “EtreS au Travail” (Beings at Work) displayed on the Luxembourg Garden fence along rue Médicis (until July 14, 2019). Large color photos mostly taken by Magnum photographers such as Steve McCurry, Marc Riboud and Martin Parr are accompanied by thought provoking captions written by labor specialists. The exhibition celebrates the centenary of the International Labor Organization (ILO). Continue reading “Workers of the World…”
Wim Wenders’ Grand Palais Installation
Paris’ Grand Palais hosts a monumental immersive cinematic installation “Unidentified Plastic Object” featuring Wim Wenders’ film clips accompanied by music chosen by the German filmmaker especially for the event such as Ry Cooder’s unforgettable haunting slide guitar in “Paris Texas” and music from “Buena Vista Social Club.” Every evening 9PM to midnight (until April 22nd). Free admission. Continue reading “Wim Wenders’ Grand Palais Installation”
Blue Riders on the Storm
Paris’ Musee de l’Orangerie revisits two major German painters Franz Marc and August Macke— who were part of the “Blue Rider” group (Der Blaue Reiter)— with the exhibition “L’adventure du cavalier bleu” (to June 17, 2019). The exhibition focuses on Marc and Macke’s artistic relationship, how their lives and work intersected and evolved. Continue reading “Blue Riders on the Storm”
Luigi Ghirri’s Kodachromes
The Italian photographer Luigi Ghirri’s (1943- 1992) used his favorite film —Kodak’s Kodachrome— to make pioneering color photographs during the 70’s at a time when most art photographers insisted on portraying the world in black and white. Although he is less known than his American counterparts —William Eggleston, Stephen Shore or Robert Adams— his work marked a generation of European photographers. He is featured this spring with an exhibition “Carte et Territoires” (Map & Territory) at Paris’ Jeu de Paume (to June 02, 2019). Continue reading “Luigi Ghirri’s Kodachromes”
Paris, a Month of Photography
The Mois de la Photo-OFF is a fringe festival organized in parallel to the official Mois de la Photo. This year Paris’ official month of photography is going through changes and has been suspended until further notice (maybe 2020) leaving the Off Photo Fest to carrying on alone this year keeping the photo flame. Continue reading “Paris, a Month of Photography”