Place des Vosges

A friend of mine gave her baby the middle name "vosges" and now I know why. It's the prettiest darn square in Paris. Originally, the center was used for dueling grounds. Now people like to come here to read, although I might like it even more if they brought swords. Also, there are lots of french babies and a giant sandbox, so that's pretty fun too.

French Women Don't Get Fat.

I haven't read the book, but through close cultural observation, I can tell you why. 

Here are my top 5 realisations:

1. The sidewalks on those adorable streets are impossibly narrow. Even on Boulevards where there would seem to be ample room, Parisians refuse to be accommodating. It's not at all in the Italian ragazzi sense of linking arms and creating a "red-rover" sort of barrier, but rather, in the super chic way of carrying a massive leather bag, scarves flying in all directions, cigarette in hand used as a tool for grandiose gestures....

If you wanna squeeze by, you'd better be minimal in width.

2. The physics involved with teetering around in extremely high heels doesn't work as well if you aren't stick skinny.

 

3. The washing machines are tiny, and therefore make up for lack of size in the time involved in spinning the clothes. Clothes always come out at least 2 sizes smaller than when they go in. I speak from personal experience.

4. For meals, Parisians have cigarettes and café.

5. Everything is miniature. European refrigerators can't hold as much food, the showers are about 2 feet in diameter, food comes in smaller packages...

Even you wanted to be fat, you couldn't be. 

My one question is: what happens to all those croissants?

Ma Promenade Quotidienne

1. walk by Pont Neuf

2. Stroll along the Seine

3. Avoid buying things I don't need.

4. March across Pont des Arts

5. Frolic through the Jardin du Luxembourg

Voilà! My daily stroll.

The Prize.

This weekend was my lucky weekend. Someone randomly give me a free ticket to the art event yesterday, which not only meant that I didn't have to pay 30 euro, but also put me at the front of an hour long line. Also, yesterday I found 20 euros on the ground. It was as though I made $75 doing nothing. If this is what gambling feels like, I'm totally in.

I then came across the largest raspberries I've ever seen. Ever. They were like mutants--I should have held up my finger for scale, because one raspberry was about 5 inches. I kid you not. They were totally worth the absurd price I paid for them, which was more than two bottles of wine. 

Foire International d'Art Contemporain (FIAC)

Treehouse "sculpture" as part of the FIAC outdoor installation in the Tuilleries

My pictures of reflections with Dan Graham (?) metal/glass sculpture

Today I went to FIAC, a massive contemporary art fair (much like the Armory Show, or Art Basel) that consumes Paris for three days. 180 galleries exhibit from 23 different countries, so there's quite a bit to see. Also, there were 20 outdoors sculptures displayed in the Tuilleries...yes, apparently the treehouse counts as a sculptural work of art. I've also included a few highlights from the exhibiting galleries--Lui Ming's "The Family III" (girls with guns); some dancing skeleton legs, and portraits of McCain/Obama. While I was viewing the latter, a dealer was speaking to his client, mentioned that this was an interesting piece because of its relevance in the world right now. 

Uh, I agree.

Objectivités-La Photographie a Dusseldorf

Becher's Chateaux d'eau

Yesterday I saw this exhibit at the Musée d'art moderne with my photograhy class. It was entitled Objectivities, with an emphasis on the "s", as it was an extremely broad interpretation of the theme. Predominately featured were Hilla and Bernd Becher's black and white photographs, which were really cool to see in person. Plus, the French word for "water towers" is "chateaux d'eau" (castles of water), which is so much more lovable. 

Another highlight was getting to "curate" my own series on display. A German artist named Jorg Sasse had a work where the viewer could choose a card off the wall which indicated a particular theme (mine was "headdress"). The card had a code, which indicated to the gallery assistant which photograph to pull from a huge stack. On the back of that photograph was a list of codes, from which the view chose the next piece. Repeat 7 times, hang, and you've created your own series. The gallery assistant was seriously sick of his job--I don't blame him! 

Le Musée du Louvre

Mummified kittys

Chienne couchée, allaitant cinq petits

For the record, the Louvre is not my favorite. However, since it is the Mother of all Art Museums and I've got some time on my hands, I figure I should give it a fair chance. Especially so, since "young people" (which I apparently still am) get in for free on Fridays after 6pm. Therefore, I've decided to spend one hour each Friday exploring the collection, for however many Fridays it takes to view everything. 

Yesterday I got lost in the Sully wing viewing the Egyptian antiquities.  My favorites were the sleeping dog with five little puppies (for Kelly), and the case of mummy cats. At some point of my visit, I got absorbed into a group of French 5th graders on a field trip doing some sort of treasure hunt. Super fun. I'll be back for more next week!

Communist Parade

Apparently there is a large Communist population in Paris--who knew? I felt like I should document this, since the chance of seeing something similar in the U.S. is slim to none. Plus, they had a creepy scare crow looking effigy.

Canal Saint Martin

We took a field trip from Parsons for a photo shoot at this spot. It was an absolutely gorgeous Autumn day, and I felt very Amélie-esque--minus dumping a goldfish over the bridge. Parisians like to stroll or bike along the pathways. With their dogs. So naturally I'll be there, like, toujours. 

C'est tres charmante!

The Beginning.

Quelle horreur! I've started a blog. 

Mostly, because Allie's and Casa's blogs are so freakin' cute, and I find myself inspired. But secondly, because everyone wants the juicy details on my Parisian adventure, and well, I'm too lazy to write it separately to each person. However, that doesn't get YOU off the hook for writing me. You have to write to me regardless, and then I write you back. That's how it works.

Stay tuned for something exciting.