Words of Art - For a Smile

 

It seems like there is always something artistic to make you smile in Paris. On this particular day, it was an art gallery acknowledging this gift of the city. 

Next week, the unexpected charms of Paris. The ones that always make me smile :) 

Words of Art - I think of the day....

"I think of the day we taught the horses to cry." I have no idea what it means (or if I even translated it correctly), but I love the whimsical, nonsensical nature of it nonetheless.

[The graphic below may look familiar to you, it is by William Benhamou and I used a different version of it earlier this month. ]

Words of Art - United We...

Art is not just something that artists do in Paris; artistic expression is part of everyday life. The way a woman ties her scarf or smokes a cigarette. A man's tasseled shoes or the way his hair falls back over his forehead. 

The tiniest of details becomes supremely important and while this drives me crazy in the United States, for some reason I love it about Paris. It makes me feel whole and alive and at One with everything. 

It is, I believe, what unites the French as a people. Their commitment to art, to beauty, to the details of life. United They Art.

Statues Anciennes - Place de la Concorde

One of the naiads, or water nymphs, who presides over the fountain at the Place de la Concorde. Built during the time of Louis Philippe (1830-1848), they were designed by German architect Jacques-Ignace Hittorff.

I love the contrast between the dark bronze of their bodies and the bright, shiny gold of the fish and their adornments. 

Statues Anciennes - Louis XIII

This statue of Louis XIII can be found at Place des Vosges, the oldest square in Paris. Originally called Place Royale, the square was officially inaugurated in 1612. In 1639 an equestrian statue of King Louis XIII was erected at the center of the square. It was destroyed during the French Revolution and this new statue of King Louis XIII was installed in 1825.

 

The "new" version of this statue is almost two thousand years old. Gotta love Paris!

 

Statues Anciennes - Jeanne d'Arc

Saint Joan of Arc in full battle mode as she must have looked fighting for her country during the Hundred Year's War. This is not the most famous statue of her in Paris, but it's my favorite. This one can be found outside the Église Saint-Augustin de Paris in the eighth arrondissement.

[I got information about this statue from my new favorite website, parisdailyphoto.com. Check it out!]

Statues Moderne - Rhino

This rhino stands guard outside the Musée d'Orsay and I couldn't imagine a more imposing figure to guard some of the world's most famous art.

Next week, more statues from Paris....

Statues Modernes - Protest

I am actually not sure what is going on in this statue. There was no sign, no explanation, just three figures inside a gate, outside a church. They remind me of Seattle's "Hammering Man" and that makes me think perhaps they are union workers, rallying for change, demanding their rights. What do you think?

Statues Modernes - Party

I took this shot from across the street. I looked up and saw what looked like a party on this tiny balcony. I love the idea that there is always fun happening outside this window. I imagine that the person who lives here does too.

Street Art - Chalk Angel

More street art. This "chalk angel" was seen in a number of places around the city.

Street Art - William Benhamou

It was impossible not to be blown away by all of the art on the streets of Paris. Versions of this image by William Benhamou can be found all over the city.

Street Art - Beautiful Garbage

I was constantly stuck by the beauty I found in the most unexpected of places in Paris. This portrait of a beautiful woman on the side of a garbage can charmed and delighted me.

La Défense - Mod Men

And these are the men of La Défense. Modern Men. Business Men. "Suits." I love the way their suits are not just clothes, but a part of their bodies, integral to who they are.

Next week....more art from Paris!

La Défense - A Little Seussical

One of my favorite things about La Défense is how it combines the modern and the whimsical. In addition to skyscrapers and modern architecture (remember this?), it is also home to trees and other plant life that look like they belong in Whoville. It's the perfect spot to spend your lunch hour reading a book as this lucky Parisian is.