THE PARIS PIPELINE

engb theparispipeline tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126568970372451144 Mon, 20 Dec 2021 23:50:54 +0000 Exhibitions Sites Galleries & museums Paris suburbs 6th arrondissement 13th arrondissement 16th arrondissement 4th arrondissement Around Paris 1st arrondissement 7th arrondissement 8th arrondissement Day trips Food & drink General information 12th arrondissement Annual events Architecture Biking Current events Hiking La Défense Street art 14th arrondissement 18th arrondissement 3rd arrondissement 5th arrondissement Crêperie Entertainment Ice cream Takeaway THE PARIS PIPELINE Paris tips for travellers, expats & visitors http://theparispipeline.blogspot.com/ noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) Blogger 34 1 25 tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126568970372451144.post-5963606708778379032 Tue, 04 Nov 2014 23:03:00 +0000 2014-11-05T00:03:31.775+01:00 Annual events Exhibitions FIAC - Paris's International Contemporary Art Fair

The International Contemporary Art Fair (or FIAC) is an art event that takes place every year in Paris in October.

The 2014 edition was spread between the Grand Palais, Cité de la Mode et du Design, Jardin des Tuileries and Jardin des Plantes. Anyway, I'll leave it there and jump straight to the pics...

]]> http://theparispipeline.blogspot.com/2014/11/fiac-pariss-international-contemporary.html noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) 0 tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126568970372451144.post-108987538147313156 Mon, 03 Nov 2014 23:19:00 +0000 2014-11-04T00:19:49.314+01:00 13th arrondissement Current events Exhibitions Studio Ghibli Layout Designs - Understanding the secrets of Takahata and Miyazaki animation

Miyazaki and Takahata...pure genius. This exhibitions presents over 1300 layout drawings from the 30 year history of Studio Ghibli, founded in part by Miyazaki and Takahata.

Think Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Grave of the Fireflies, Kiki's Delivery Service, Porco Rosso, Pom Poko, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, The Cat Returns, Howl's Moving Castle, Ponyo, Arrietty and many, many more.

And if you've not seen any of the films, then it's worth doing before visiting the exhibition. In fact, it's worth doing full stop.

Highlights include layouts paired with their corresponding movie snippets; and translations of humorous comments written by Miyazaki and Takahata to the artists.

•• Runs 4 Oct 2014 - 1 Mar 2015, at Art Ludique - Le Musée (Cité de la Mode et du Design, 13e).]]> http://theparispipeline.blogspot.com/2014/11/studio-ghibli-layout-designs.html noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) 0 tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126568970372451144.post-8024948291060883953 Sun, 02 Nov 2014 23:38:00 +0000 2014-11-03T22:57:06.572+01:00 8th arrondissement Exhibitions Winter expositions at the Grand Palais

An overview of the winter exhibitions at the Grand Palais - all are worthy of a visit. For general information regarding the Grand Palais, refer to my Grand Palais guide.

1. Hokusai - One of my favourite artists, and with a huge and varied collection on display, this exposition certainly delivers. It follows a chronological order, generally broken up according to the different aliases that Hokusai used throughout his life. It includes some of his famous Thirty-six views of Mt Fuji series, and my personal favourite, painting instruction manuals created during his Taitō period.

•• Runs 1 Oct 2014 - 20 Nov 2014 & 1 Dec 2014 - 18 Jan 2015 (Clemenceau entrance)

2. Niki de Saint Phalle - A retrospective of Saint Phalle. Highlights include: a body of works where she covered paint tins and bags with plaster and then shot at them to release explosions of colour; her distinctive sculptures known as Nanas; and her Tarot Garden, a sculpture park with sculptures based on Tarot card symbols.

•• Runs 17 Sep 2014 - 2 Feb 2015 (Champs-Élysées entrance)

3. Haiti - An upcoming exposition based on Haitian art. I'll update the post once it's opened.

•• Runs 19 Nov 2014 to 15 Feb 2015 (Southeast Gallery entrance)

]]> http://theparispipeline.blogspot.com/2014/11/winter-expositions-at-grand-palais.html noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) 0 tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126568970372451144.post-3076522384189220080 Sun, 02 Nov 2014 12:36:00 +0000 2014-11-04T08:47:04.805+01:00 6th arrondissement Current events Exhibitions Paul McCarthy - Chocolate Factory

Paul McCarthy's exhibition originally consisted of two parts - the Chocolate Factory exposition, and a public sculpture in Place Vendôme.

In case you missed the news, the public sculpture was a 24 meter high green inflatable "Tree" in the shape of a butt plug. It lasted two days before being vandalised by closed-minded Parisians and consequently removed.

But the Chocolate Factory is still here, displaying McCarthy's distinctive works and ideas. The Chocolate Factory consists of a functioning kitchen creating the chocolates, and an immersive 8 room experience - based on the ideas of Christmas, consumption, commodity, capitalism, Western and American culture. Upon entering you become surrounded by flickering lights, ambiguous moaning, crazy-man scribbles and xmas chocolates. Let's just say you'll feel a little different when leaving compared to when you entered!

•• Runs 25 Oct - 4 Jan, at Monnaie de Paris.

]]> http://theparispipeline.blogspot.com/2014/11/paul-mccarthy-chocolate-factory.html noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) 0 tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126568970372451144.post-2001134947989527901 Sat, 01 Nov 2014 11:47:00 +0000 2014-11-01T12:47:29.035+01:00 Food & drink La Défense Paris suburbs Craft beer near La Défense - La Caisses de Bières

Paris isn't known for its beer culture, but it doesn't take much searching to discover there are several gems to be found, and La Caisses de Bières is one such gem.

Its location is just outside of Paris, and I've given it a mention because it is a 5-10 min walk from La Défense. This makes it perfect for all the expats working in La Défense, helps to keep the prices down, and shelters it from the tourist crowds.

What makes it a gem?

•• It stocks Belgian and French beers, with around 300 varieties. Belgian beer making up the vast majority (and rightly so).

•• It also proposes variety packs of beers, based on a theme. My favourite is the 'world champions' which is a selection of the winners of the 2014 World Beer Awards.

•• Great customer service (including English) and clear labelling system throughout the store which indicates beer type, strength, flavour etc.

•• An online store offering home delivery, which is also great for doing some research before visiting the store: lacaissedebieres.fr

•• It has a refund policy for glass bottles and plastic crates, to encourage recycling. Basically you get a small refund when you return your empties, and the bottles and crates get reused (starting at €0.10 for a small bottle). This also saves you a little - think of all those other glass bottles that you are paying for, but not getting any money back when you put them in the recycle bin.

Practical info:

•• Address: 21 rue Kleber, 92400 Courbevoie (5-10min walk from the La Défense station)

•• Website: lacaissedebieres.fr

For other craft beer stores in Paris, I recommend this overview by Paris by Mouth to get you started. ]]> http://theparispipeline.blogspot.com/2014/11/craft-beer-near-la-defense-la-caisses.html noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) 0 tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126568970372451144.post-5681434906436296678 Sat, 11 Oct 2014 20:18:00 +0000 2014-10-11T22:18:21.039+02:00 13th arrondissement 14th arrondissement 16th arrondissement Architecture Around Paris Paris suburbs Sites Le Corbusier and the golden ratio

Villa SavoyeI first stumbled across Le Corbusier whilst reading about one of my obsessions - the golden ratio. Le Corbusier was a Swiss-French architect who influenced modern architecture, and incorporated the golden ratio into his "Modular" design concept. And many of his buildings can be found in and around Paris.

But firstly, a few words on the golden ratio. I won't go into all the detail because you can find plenty on the net, but in short it is a mathematical ratio related to the Fibonacci sequence. It pops up in nature, and it is linked to what humans perceive as aesthetically beautiful.

But it doesn't stop there. Put on your physicist hat, and you'll discover the ratio also results from objects repelling each other. Switch to your biologist hat, and you'll discover that the growing points of living creatures are driven by dividing cells moving away from each other in the most efficient way (explaining why the ratio can be seen in nature).

Switch to your evolutionary psychology hat (my favourite hat), and you'll discover that at some point in our evolutionary history our brains must have evolved a special bias for recognising the golden ratio, equating it to healthy cell growth. A kind of "fitness" indicator, and the start of us subconsciously linking it to beauty.

Evolution would have then turned up the dial following the Fisherian runaway theory, increasingly favouring people with physical features and proportions following the golden ratio, as well as increasingly favouring people who show a psychological preference for the golden ratio. This explains why the ratio can be found in people, and explains why we perceive things with the ratio to be beautiful.

A lot of this was unknown during Le Corbusier's time (especially the last bit because it's my own personal theory), however you can see how it would have caught his interest and why he started to incorporate it into his design.

So...back to the architecture.

Key buildings in and around Paris:

••  Maison La Roche (1923): 10, square du Docteur Blanche, 75016 Paris. Interior visits possible, open Mon to Sat.

••  Maison Jeanneret (1925): 8, square du Docteur Blanche, 75016 Paris. Next door to Villa La Roche. Exterior only.

••  Villa Savoye (1928): 82, rue de Villiers, 78300 Poissy. Interior visits possible, open Tue to Sun. Access by taking RER A to Poissy, then Bus 50 towards La Coudraie, getting off at Villa Savoye or Lycée Le Corbusier. This is one of his best examples showcasing his "five points of architecture" concept, which consists of stilts, roof gardens, open-plan design, free-floating facades, and horizontal windows.

•• Armée du Salut, Cité du Refuge (1929): 12, rue de Cantagrel, 75013 Paris. Exterior only.

•• Pavillon Suisse, Cité Internationale Universitaire (1930): 7, bvd Jourdan, 75014 Paris. Interior visits possible, open everyday.

••  Le Corbusier studio-apartment (1931-34): 24, rue Nungesser et Coli, 75016 Paris. His studio-apartment occupied the two upper floors. Interior visits possible, open Sat.

••  Maisons Jaoul (1951): 81bis, rue de Longchamp, 92200 Neuilly-sur-Seine. Exterior only.

•• Maison du Brésil, Cité Internationale Universitaire (1953): 7L, bvd Jourdan, 75014 Paris. Interior visits possible, open Mon to Sat. Near Pavillon Suisse.

Other buildings in and around Paris. Only for the devoted. These are either less interesting or their access is limited making them difficult to see properly:

••  Maison-atelier du peintre Amédée Ozenfant (1922): 53, avenue Reille, 75014 Paris. Visible from street.

••  Maison Planeix (1924): 24bis, bvd Massena, 75013 Paris. Visible from street.

•• Villa Stein-de-Monzie, "Les Terrasses" (1926): 17, rue du Professeur Victor Pauchet, 92240 Vaucresson. This is one of his better examples where he used the golden ratio and his "Modular" design concept. Only partly visible, and from a distance.

••  Maison Cook (1926): 6, rue Denfert-Rochereau, 92100 Boulogne-sur-Seine. Visible from street.

••  Armée du Salut, Palais du Peuple (1926): 29, rue des Cordelières, 75013 Paris. Only partly visible, and from a distance.

••  Maison de week-end "Henfel" (1934): 49, avenue de Chesnay, 78170 La Celle-Saint-Cloud. Only partly visible, and from a distance.

Tips and notes:

•• Check specific opening times before visiting sites, as they are all over the shop.

•• For more info, visit the Fondation Le Corbusier website.

Maison La Roche

Armée du Salut, Cité du Refuge

Pavillon Suisse, Cité Internationale Universitaire

Le Corbusier studio-apartment

Maisons Jaoul

Maison du Brésil, Cité Internationale Universitaire

Maison-atelier du peintre Amédée Ozenfant

Maison Planeix

Villa Stein-de-Monzie, "Les Terrasses"

Maison Cook

Armée du Salut, Palais du Peuple

]]> http://theparispipeline.blogspot.com/2014/10/le-corbusier-and-golden-ratio.html noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) 0 tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126568970372451144.post-5924190379071415842 Tue, 07 Oct 2014 20:48:00 +0000 2014-10-07T22:48:09.116+02:00 12th arrondissement 16th arrondissement Architecture Galleries & museums Paris suburbs Sites Guide to Frank Gehry buildings in Paris

Fondation Louis Vuitton

With the upcoming opening of the Fondation Louis Vuitton, it seems opportune to do a roundup of Frank Gehry's buildings in France. There are three in France, all of which can be found in or near Paris.

Fondation Louis Vuitton:

The newest creation, based on the concept of sails rising above the trees of Bois de Boulogne. Once finished it will be devoted to contemporary art.

The building also scores some green points, as it has been used as the pilot project to develop a new HQE standard for cultural buildings. HQE = High Quality Environmental standard, a standard for green building in France.

Cinémathèque Française

The building will include the collection of rainwater for use onsite; heating and cooling energy sourced from groundwater below the building; and an electric shuttle bus transporting visitors from Place Charles de Gaulle. Opens to the public 27 Oct 2014.

•• Address: 8, Avenue du Mahatma Gandhi, Bois de Boulogne, 75116 Paris.

Cinémathèque Française:

A film archive designed by Gehry and completed in 1994. It now houses over 40,000 films along with film related documents and objects, and was one of the precursors to the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao.

•• Address: 51, rue de Bercy, 75012 Paris.

Disney Village

Disney Village:

A shopping and restaurant complex just outside Disneyland Paris. Since it's completion (1992), various modifications have detracted from Gehry's original creation, but it's still worth a look for Gehry fans. Entry to the site is free.

•• Address: Disneyland Park. Accessed by taking the RER A line, to the Marne-la-Vallée–Chessy station.]]> http://theparispipeline.blogspot.com/2014/10/guide-to-frank-gehry-buildings-in-paris.html noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) 0 tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126568970372451144.post-7637184778597497192 Wed, 17 Sep 2014 20:38:00 +0000 2014-11-05T23:02:13.954+01:00 Annual events Entertainment La Défense Paris suburbs Defacto Spectacle 2014: Here... Elsewhere

This is a free annual fireworks show held in La Défense - this years will be the fourth edition. It is a little off the radar because technically it's outside Paris, and therefore doesn't get the same level of promotion that Paris events get.

This is great of course, because it means the crowds are smaller and more family friendly. None of the French car burning tradition to be found here!

The show is a mixture of lighting effects projected onto the Grande Arche and other nearby buildings, combined with pyrotechnics and sound. Based on my experience last year, the show is well choreographed, and the smaller 'stage' and audience means the syncing between sound and visuals are much more effective than your average pyrotechnics show.

The theme for this years show is a trip around the world.

•• When: 21:30 on Fri, 19 Sep (show lasts 45 min).

•• Where: In front of the Grande Arche de La Défense.

•• Getting there: Metro line 1 to La Défense station, or RER A to La Défense station.]]> http://theparispipeline.blogspot.com/2014/09/defacto-spectacle-2014-here-elsewhere.html noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) 0 tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126568970372451144.post-1131467555279821216 Mon, 01 Sep 2014 21:35:00 +0000 2014-10-06T22:49:49.456+02:00 13th arrondissement Biking Galleries & museums Sites Street art The street art murals of the 13th arrondissement

One of my favourite things about Paris is its street art... And without question, 1st prize goes to the 13th arrondissement, where the local mayor and Galerie Itinerrance have been supporting the creation of large public murals by international artists.

So... for lovers of street art - below is a quick guide to the large murals and their locations (with artist names in brackets).

Allow 2-3 hrs to seek them all out, and keep an eye out for the countless smaller works along the way. The murals have been listed below in an order that follows an overall clockwise route...so following this order will be an efficient use of your walking / biking energy.

•• Institut du Monde Arabe, 1 rue des Fossés-Saint-Bernard (eL Seed)

•• 122 bd de l’Hôpital (M-City)

•• 110 rue Jeanne d'Arc (Jana & Js)

•• Ecole cité Dorée, corner bd Vincent Auriol & rue Jenner (C215)

•• 93 rue Jeanne d’Arc (OBEY)

•• 141 bd Vincent Auriol (C215)

•• 173 rue du Château des Rentiers (Vhils)

•• 50 rue Jeanne d’Arc (Alapinta)

•• Rue Lahire (Inti)

•• Place Farhat Hached, near Avenue de France tram station (Dabro)

•• Stade Carpentier, 81 bd Masséna (Ethos)

•• Place de Vénétie (STEW)

•• Avenue de Choisy / Place de Vénétie (Pantónio) *this one is the largest mural in Europe

•• 129 avenue d'Italie (Inti)

•• 13 avenue de la Porte d'Italie (Sainer)

•• Maison de la Tunisie, 45a Boulevard Jourdan (eL Seed)

•• 76 rue Bobillot (Seth & Babs)

•• 29 rue des Cordelières (Seth & Kislow)
•• 2 rue Emile Deslandres (Seth)

Other notes:

•• Galerie Itinerrance (7 bis rue René Goscinny 75013) lives in the 13th. It's the gallery that supports the murals, and which also houses temporary street art exhibitions.

•• A series of walking route maps are available on the 13th arrondissement government website, marking various street art locations, big and small. It should be noted that these maps are already outdated, so you won't find everything on them, and also note that they include some of the murals listed above. Follow this link for the page, and this link for the pdf file.

Institut du Monde Arabe, 1 rue des Fossés-Saint-Bernard (eL Seed)

122 bd de l’Hôpital (M-City)

110 rue Jeanne d'Arc (Jana & Js)

Ecole cité Dorée, corner bd Vincent Auriol & rue Jenner (C215)

93 rue Jeanne d’Arc (OBEY)

141 bd Vincent Auriol (C215)

173 rue du Château des Rentiers (Vhils)

50 rue Jeanne d’Arc (Alapinta)

Rue Lahire (Inti)

Place Farhat Hached, near Avenue de France tram station (Dabro)

Stade Carpentier, 81 bd Masséna (Ethos)

Place de Vénétie (STEW)

Avenue de Choisy / Place de Vénétie (Pantónio)

129 avenue d'Italie (Inti)

13 avenue de la Porte d'Italie (Sainer)

Maison de la Tunisie, 45a Boulevard Jourdan (eL Seed)

76 rue Bobillot (Seth & Babs)

29 rue des Cordelières (Seth & Kislow)

2 rue Emile Deslandres (Seth)

]]> http://theparispipeline.blogspot.com/2014/09/the-street-art-murals-of-13th.html noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) 1 tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126568970372451144.post-3334076825179381123 Tue, 19 Aug 2014 20:51:00 +0000 2014-08-19T23:30:44.668+02:00 Around Paris Biking Day trips Galleries & museums Hiking Sites Auvers-sur-Oise: Van Gogh's final destination - a Paris day trip

The village of Auvers-sur-Oise was the final chapter in Van Gogh's life, and an easy day trip from Paris.

Van Gogh was particularly productive here, painting around 80 works over a 70 day period. This all ended however, when he suffered a gunshot to his chest. This is said to be a suicide attempt, although some contend that he was shot by someone else, by accident. In any case, he managed to return to his hotel and survived a further two days before passing.

What's there?

•• Large signposts featuring an image of the relevant Van Gogh painting, placed next to the building or vista which was the subject of the painting - This is the highlight of the trip, as it provides some insights into his works that you would never see from the paintings alone. It's also worth pointing out that there are only five or so signposts where this comparison can be made easily. The remaining signposts are less interesting, as they show locations where the scenery has significantly changed since 1890, or show the locations of portraits, or show the paintings of other artists.

•• Auberge Ravoux (Maison de Van Gogh) - This is the hotel and room where Van Gogh lived during his time in Auvers-sur-Oise....all seven square meters of it. It is the place where he painted, and the place where he passed away. His room has been preserved ever since and can be viewed by the public (an entry fee applies). Refer to the Auberge Ravoux website for more info.

•• Van Gogh's grave - This can be found in the village cemetery, alongside the grave of his brother Theodore, who passed away two years later.

Getting there:

Take an SNCF Transilien train from Gare du Nord to Auvers-sur-Oise (H lines). If a direct train isn't available, take a train to Valmondois where you can change lines. Auvers-sur-Oise is one stop on from Valmondois. The trip takes around 40 min.

Tips and notes:

•• Once in town, start with a visit to the tourist information office. They provide free maps of the town showing all the significant locations, along with friendly advice (Rue de la Sansonne, Manoir des Colombières 95430 Auvers-sur-Oise).

•• Van Gogh was in Auvers-sur-Oise during May / Jun / Jul. So if you truly want to travel in his foot steps, I recommend visiting during those months, and see the same seasons that he saw.

•• Cycling is a good option and can allow you to see more of the town. Refer to this SNCF map for cycle path details.

•• Don't expect to find any of Van Gogh's original paintings in Auvers-sur-Oise - you'll have more luck in Musée d'Orsay.

This day trip is only recommended for fans of Van Gogh...there's no other reason to venture out to Auvers-sur-Oise. Allow half a day to a full day to explore the town, depending on how much walking you can handle.

]]> http://theparispipeline.blogspot.com/2014/08/auvers-sur-oise-van-goghs-final.html noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) 0 tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126568970372451144.post-7067032064197788281 Mon, 18 Aug 2014 21:07:00 +0000 2014-11-02T22:34:00.717+01:00 18th arrondissement Exhibitions Raw Vision - 25 ans d’Art Brut (final week)

An exposition celebrating the 25th anniversary of Raw Vision - a London magazine based around non-conventional contemporary folk art or "outsider art". This outsider art concept is what makes the exposition, with most works tapping directly into the deep subconscious place from where the most innovative and creative art comes from.

Small blurbs throughout the exhibit provide insights into the outsider artists - artists that have experienced illnesses, disabilities, different states of mental health, persecution, imprisonment etc etc. Freedoms that have been taken away from the artists, but inadvertently allowed them to achieve creativity that many can only dream of.

There are over 80 artists on display from around the world, shown over two levels in the Halle Saint Pierre.

•• Runs 18 Sep 2013 - 22 Aug 2014, at La Halle Saint Pierre (2 rue Ronsard, 75018 Paris). Aug opening hours - Mon to Fri, afternoons only.

•• You can also check out the Raw Vision magazine website.

]]> http://theparispipeline.blogspot.com/2014/08/raw-vision-25-ans-dart-brut-final-week.html noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) 0 tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126568970372451144.post-5365606951374997706 Mon, 11 Aug 2014 19:36:00 +0000 2014-08-11T21:36:04.635+02:00 4th arrondissement Galleries & museums Sites Atelier Brancusi - Sculptor Constantin Brancusi's workshop

Atelier Brancusi is a reconstruction of Constantin Brancusi's studio workshop, and definitely a hidden gem worth visiting. It preserves his sculptures, drawings, tools and furniture in their original arrangement.

His studio originally existed in Montparnasse, at 11 Impasse Ronsin, now part of a hospital complex. When Brancusi passed away, he left his studio to the French government on the condition that the studio and its contents be preserved exactly as he left them. It was first reconstructed at the Palais de Tokyo, however this installation was considered inadequate by many. It was then reconstructed next to the Pompidou, however this replica was eventually closed due to construction and curatorial issues.

The third attempt is what we see now, a small rectangular time capsule designed by Renzo Piano (a famous architect). It replicates the layout, size and lighting of the original studio, with the external walls replaced by glass. A little glass box of greatness.

And so onto the greatness - the sculptures and workshop. What can you expect to see?

•• One side is his display room - completely crowded with his sculptures, including famous works from his Bird in Space series and Infinite Columns series, and many many more.

•• The second side is his workshop - complete with work bench, tools, half complete sculptures, and his bedroom and furniture.

Tips and notes:

•• The building can be found at the northern end of the piazza in front of the Pompidou.

•• Entry is free, but it is only open between 2 and 6 pm in the afternoon. Open everyday except Tue.

And I can't help but close with a quote from the man himself, "Work like a slave; command like a king; create like a god."]]> http://theparispipeline.blogspot.com/2014/08/atelier-brancusi-sculptor-constantin.html noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) 0 tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126568970372451144.post-587403597303257565 Sun, 10 Aug 2014 11:01:00 +0000 2014-11-02T22:34:53.224+01:00 16th arrondissement Exhibitions Lucio Fontana - Retrospective

Lucio Fontana is an Italian artist, best known for founding the art movement of spatialism...or spazialismo as the Italians would say, at the top of their voice, and with their arms waving around excessively.

The best description is always the art itself, but if I was to put it into words, Fontana's approach was an attempt to break away from traditional art forms, and to create art that projected into the space beyond the artwork itself, and to explore the use of space itself in his artworks.

Fontana explored spatialism in several ways, all of which are on display at the exposition:

•• Early sculptures and ceramics - Fontana's early sculptures were abstract and figurative but you can see a uniqueness in his works which was evidently the beginnings of his spatialist concepts.

•• Buchi (holes) - Spatialist works involving the puncturing of holes into the canvas.

•• Tagli (cuts) - Spatialist works where the puncturing concept was developed further into scratches and slits.

•• Nature - First called "balls", then "mouths", these works are terracotta balls which were hollowed out or gashed.

•• Olii (oils) - Further exploring the puncturing concept but with canvases coated in a thick layer of oil paint.

These concepts and approaches are then explored further by Fontana in too many ways to list here. Definitely one worth catching while it's in Paris.

•• Runs 25 Apr - 24 Aug, at Musée d'Art Moderne.

]]> http://theparispipeline.blogspot.com/2014/08/lucio-fontana-retrospective.html noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) 0 tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126568970372451144.post-2083249806350340326 Sat, 09 Aug 2014 20:20:00 +0000 2014-11-02T22:35:43.922+01:00 7th arrondissement Exhibitions Tatoueurs, Tatoués - Exposition at Quai Branly

Tatoueurs, Tatoués (Tattooists, Tattooed) - an exposition exploring the history of tattoo artists and tattoos, as you may have guessed, from their origins through to current times.

The exposition starts with the origins of tattooing, which is said to date back to 3350 - 3100 BC. It looks at the reasoning behind tattoos in these earlier cultures - a mark of initiation rituals, an indicator of marginalisation, a mark of social prestige, a mark of punishment. In general, a sign of belonging or not belonging to a group.

It then continues on with tattoo history - circus sideshows, tattoos in Japan, tattoos in North America, and tattoos in Europe. Each has an interesting past of tattoos growing and falling in popularity, interplaying with historical events.

It also takes a special look at tattoo culture in New Zealand, Samoa, Polynesia, Borneo, Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand, and the recent resurgence of traditional tattooing. The exposition then finishes with a look at recent trends and developments in the tattoo world.

It is displayed mostly through photos and video, but there are also some historical artefacts such as old tattooing tools and preserved tattooed human skin. And lastly there are 32 works by contemporary tattooists, tattooed onto various media including several on silicon body parts.

All up, it's a huge diverse display of amazing tattoos from around the world. It's a fascinating area of art and history, and the perfect place for some inspiration if you are planning to brand yourself.

•• Runs 6 May - 18 Oct, at Musée du Quai Branly.

]]> http://theparispipeline.blogspot.com/2014/08/tatoueurs-tatoues-exposition-at-quai.html noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) 0 tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126568970372451144.post-738845633224120712 Fri, 08 Aug 2014 21:41:00 +0000 2014-11-02T22:36:25.680+01:00 4th arrondissement Exhibitions Martial Raysse - Retrospective 1960-2014

An exposition following the chronology of French artist Martial Raysse. It starts with his early works: pop art; fluorescent colours; assemblies of consumer objects; and neon tube art.

The exposition then follows Raysse as he moves away from pop art and develops new styles: paintings separated into fragments and then rearranged; film and video; small paper mache sculptures; paintings inspired by mythology; figurines made of scrap materials; large sculptures; and large pictorial fresco paintings.

Raysse's variety of styles and mediums is what makes the exposition - Raysse injects originality throughout them all. I won't say more, you'll just have to check it out yourself.

•• Runs 11 May - 22 Sep 2014, showing at Centre Pompidou.

For general information regarding Centre Pompidou, refer to my Centre Pompidou guide.

]]> http://theparispipeline.blogspot.com/2014/08/martial-raysse-retrospective-1960-2014.html noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) 0 tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126568970372451144.post-8563408205678005033 Wed, 06 Aug 2014 19:03:00 +0000 2014-08-06T21:17:48.880+02:00 4th arrondissement Galleries & museums Sites The Centre Georges Pompidou - a newbie's guide

The Centre Georges Pompidou is one of the top three museums in Paris, housing modern and contemporary art. In terms of art periods, roughly speaking, Pompidou takes over from where d'Orsay finishes.

There is a permanent collection spread over 2 large levels, and there are high standard temporary exhibitions on the 6th and/or 1st level.

Highlights:

•• Atelier Brancusi - A reconstruction of Constantin Brancusi's actual studio, complete with his workshop and tools, and display room of his sculptures. It's the highlight of the highlights. It's housed in a separate building, which can be found at the north end of the piazza area outside the Pompidou. Entry is free, but it is only open in the afternoons.

Fountaine Stravinsky

•• The building - The architecture of the building is worth seeing in itself, appearing like it has been built inside out. The colours you see are supposed to relate to the services...eg yellow for electrical, green for plumbing, blue for HVAC etc.

•• The viewing area on level 6 - It has great views over Paris, and is accessed via a series of escalators.

•• Fountaine Stravinsky - A fountain featuring around 15 sculptures inspired by Stravinsky's works. Located to the south of the Pompidou.

•• A large mobile sculpture by Alexander Calder - Located in the piazza area in front of the Pompidou.

•• Oh...and I almost forgot...there's also the permanent and temporary collections inside the Pompidou!

Tips and notes:

•• As always - purchase your tickets online in advance, to avoid most of the queues.

•• Queues are shortest in the early morning, and often shorter in the evening / late afternoon.

•• Entry price includes entry to both the permanent and temporary collections.

•• Admission is free on the first Sunday of every month. Expect queues to be bigger.

Depending on your interest level, allow around a 1/2 day to explore the collections. Open everyday except Tue, and open late on Thu.]]> http://theparispipeline.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-centre-georges-pompidou-newbies.html noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) 0 tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126568970372451144.post-1407033679273332917 Sun, 03 Aug 2014 19:19:00 +0000 2014-11-02T22:36:02.448+01:00 3rd arrondissement Exhibitions Motion Factory - the secrets of stop motion animation

This exposition explores the work and methods behind stop motion animation. It presents a selection of short films, alongside making-of videos, alongside displays of the storyboards and miniature figurines, models and sets. The short films are also played in a cinema on the big screen.

Around 20 films are given this treatment, including my new favourite - Panique au Village (A Town Called Panic). (If you're not familiar, check it out - it's a comedy based on the adventures of Cowboy, Indian and Horse, who live together under some strange sharehouse arrangement. You'll have to trust me. There is a feature length movie and several shorts, many of which can be found on YouTube.)

The interactive part of the exposition

And alongside these 20 films, there is an additional selection of short films showcasing the variety of animation styles - shown in a second cinema room.

And lastly, there is a room set up where visitors can take part in the filming of some stop motion animation. A large set has been created where the filmmaking takes place continuously during the exposition. Visitors can enter and manipulate the model, contributing a small section to the final film.

All up there are at least 5 hours of imaginative animation to enjoy along with all the displays.

•• Runs 24 Apr - 10 Aug, at La Gaîté Lyrique (3 bis rue Papin, 75003 Paris). Open afternoons only, Tue to Sun, and open late on Tue.]]> http://theparispipeline.blogspot.com/2014/08/motion-factory-secrets-of-stop-motion.html noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) 0 tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126568970372451144.post-6985426951493131505 Tue, 24 Jun 2014 10:08:00 +0000 2014-11-02T22:35:23.829+01:00 12th arrondissement Exhibitions Le Mur: La Collection Antoine de Galbert - review

Le Mur (The Wall) is an exhibition of contemporary artworks currently showing at La Maison Rouge. It celebrates the 10th anniversary of the art gallery, and presents the personal collection of Antoine de Galbert, who founded La Maison Rouge.

It is a random selection from his huge collection and hence is a mixture of various styles and artists. The most important factor in an exhibition like this is the individual taste of the private collector - and in this case, I can definitely say I like his taste. Moreover, the variety on display should ensure most will enjoy.

In addition to this, the exhibition also plays on a few interesting concepts.

Firstly, the arrangement has been determined using software, using a Monte Carlo method, which uses random values to produce a desired outcome. In this case the only input was the size of each piece, and then the works were randomly positioned to squeeze as many as possible into the available wall space. The result is an amazing display of art - hung floor to ceiling.

This is an attempt to remove the influence of a curator, who’s normal task would be to present a theme, a message, a narrative etc. In this case, the curator is neutral randomness.

Secondly, this approach means there is no space for labels, which forces the viewer to enjoy the art without any preconceptions based on the knowledge of the artist, title, or age of the work. If however, you do get curious, touchscreens have been set up in each room allowing viewers to identify and seek information on any works that catch their interest.

•• Runs 14 Jun - 21 Sep at La Maison Rouge (10 Boulevard de la Bastille, 75012 Paris). Open Wed to Sun, and open late on Thu.]]> http://theparispipeline.blogspot.com/2014/06/le-mur-la-collection-antoine-de-galbert.html noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) 0 tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126568970372451144.post-1668753069504807843 Fri, 20 Jun 2014 06:59:00 +0000 2014-08-06T21:21:20.347+02:00 1st arrondissement Galleries & museums Sites Musée du Louvre - a newbie's guide

Musée du Louvre is the biggest and deservedly well known art museum in Paris, and if you only have time for one museum, this is the one. It covers ancient civilisation art, Islamic art and Western art from the Middle Ages to the 19th century.

Highlights:

•• Mona Lisa - I recommend reading a little about the innovations that Leonardo achieved with this painting so that you can appreciate it more.

•• Venus de Milo sculpture.

•• Cupid and Psyche (Canova); Captive - The Dying Slave (Michelangelo); and the rest of the Italian sculpture section.

•• Remains of the Medieval Moat - This area allows you to view the remnant structures of the medieval Louvre, which was a fortress that existed prior to the construction of the Louvre building that we see today. Excavations now expose the previously buried fortress.

Cupid and Psyche (Canova)

•• The French sculpture section.

•• Law Code of Hammurabi.

•• The Islamic art wing - Which is a relatively new addition to the Louvre, fitted with a giant golden wave shaped rooftop.

Tips and notes:

•• Beat the queues by getting there early and by taking the entrance recommended below. Visiting during the off peak season also helps immensely.

•• Queues - There are two stages to the queues. The first is a security check, which is the longest and can wind for hundreds of meters at busy times. Once inside, the second queue is to purchase your ticket, either from a machine or counter. The machines work well and queues are more tolerable.

The rooftop of the Islamic art wing

•• Entrances - There are two main entrances. I recommend the Carrousel du Louvre entrance, which is lesser known, and hence the security check queue is generally much shorter. The entrance can be found via Rue de Rivoli from the street level (near corner of Place du Carrousel). You then immediately descend an escalator into the Carrousel du Louvre (a small shopping centre). Once in the shopping centre, you can follow the signs to find the security check entrance for the Louvre itself. Alternatively, the Carrousel du Louvre entrance can be accessed from the Palais Royal - Musée du Louvre metro station, but only during the shopping centre hours. Avoid the main entrance near the glass pyramid, as this can be hours long.

•• Advance tickets - Possible, but almost useless. The whole point of advance tickets is to make life easier, but in this case electronic tickets don't seem to be on offer. Instead you need to pick them up from FNAC or other shops (more queues and poor service). Or get them delivered to your address which is difficult to manage when you are travelling. And of course having an advance ticket doesn't always guarantee a shorter queue at the Louvre anyway. So...thanks for nothing Louvre.

•• Admission is free on the first Sunday of each month from October to March only. Expect queues to be bigger.

•• Grab a free map on your way in - you'll need it!

Depending on your interest level, you could easily spend a full day in the Louvre and still not see everything (there are four levels, each with multiple wings). Open everyday except Tue, and open late on Wed and Fri.]]> http://theparispipeline.blogspot.com/2014/06/musee-du-louvre-newbies-guide.html noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) 0 tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126568970372451144.post-1242957937041925795 Mon, 16 Jun 2014 17:30:00 +0000 2014-06-16T20:18:42.956+02:00 1st arrondissement 4th arrondissement 5th arrondissement 6th arrondissement Sites Love Lock Bridge - overburdened with love

The Pont des Arts (aka Love Lock Bridge) was recently in the news when a section collapsed under the weight of the locks. It's a pedestrian bridge that embodies an ancient tradition dating back to... err... 2008, where you symbolically seal your love into a lock, attach it to the bridge, and throw the key into the Seine.

The result - a bridge completely covered in locks...two bridges actually...

1. Pont des Arts - between the Louvre and the Institut de France.

2. Pont de l'Archevêché - near the south-east corner of the Notre Dame.

In true Paris style, the former is said to be for committed love, and the later for lovers.

Both are worthy of a visit, and have great views of the Seine. There is also something alluring about the organic growth of the strange phenomena - which begs the question, why? Forget the romance... I think the underlying concept on display here is the human desire to be or do something unique, and the irony that in fact people are simply following a trend, doing the same unique thing that millions of others have done before them. But getting back to the bridge itself...

It seems Pont des Arts came first, attracting criticism from City Hall officials and some Parisians, concerned that the bridge would be damaged by the weight of all the love (as recently proven) and some considering it an eyesore (which is a load of rubbish in my opinion...have they ever been in a metro station?).

In 2010, shortly after City Hall announced the locks would eventually need to be removed, the bridge was mysteriously stripped bare, under the cloak of darkness. City Hall were quick to deny responsibility, and in the end it was found that an art student had removed the locks to create a sculpture.

Love locks soon returned however, and apparently faster than before. It also seems that the event encouraged the birth of the second love lock bridge mentioned earlier - Pont de l'Archevêché.

So for now the love locks are here to stay...well most of them anyway. City Hall routinely inspect the bridges, and if panels are found to be bent etc, then they are replaced for safety reasons.

And in case you were wondering, the fad did not start in Paris. Where it all started is not known exactly, but the phenomena exists in countless locations around the world, some dating back over 100 years.

If you previously placed a lock on the bridge you might want to check welocklove.com - which has created a photo database of over 50,000 locks from both bridges, allowing viewers to click different sections of the bridges to find their lock.]]> http://theparispipeline.blogspot.com/2014/06/love-lock-bridge-bridge-overburdened.html noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) 0 tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126568970372451144.post-5218299717038550895 Wed, 28 May 2014 16:54:00 +0000 2014-11-02T22:16:29.858+01:00 6th arrondissement Exhibitions Fields of Battle - Terres de Paix 14-18 (Jardin du Luxembourg)

Le Jardin du Luxembourg is one of the best gardens in Paris, and so it's worth visiting in it's own right. However, over the next few months you can also see a photo exhibition on display at the gardens, by photographer Michael St Maur Sheil. The exhibition takes a look at World War I, through photos of what remains in todays landscapes.

To give you an idea...photos include what remains of trenches, weapons, forts, mine craters, and of course, the cemeteries. Some stunning photography, and it's free.

There is also a giant walk-on map that gives you a quick history lesson on the movements of the World War I front lines.

The map can be found in the northern part of the garden, and the photo exhibition is mounted on the outer fence of the gardens, on the northern perimeter.

•• Runs 14 Apr - 3 Aug]]> http://theparispipeline.blogspot.com/2014/05/fields-of-battle-terres-de-paix-14-18.html noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) 0 tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126568970372451144.post-2866630585414119741 Tue, 27 May 2014 06:58:00 +0000 2014-08-06T21:19:50.487+02:00 1st arrondissement Galleries & museums Street art 59 Rivoli - An artist collective in a legalised squat - review

An art gallery you won't find in the guidebooks - 59 Rivoli. The website touts that there are 30 artists at any given time, with 20 permanent and 10 temporary, spread over 6 levels. It has a street art vibe, but you'll find other styles of art here as well.

Entry is free, and you can wander and see many of the artists working away in their studios, who are more than willing to chat.

The ground level apparently presents a new exhibition from an outside artist every 2 weeks, and you'll find small free music gigs at 6pm every Sat and Sun. Music festivals are also held twice a year which take over the whole building.

For more info - check out the 59 Rivoli website.

•• The address is complicated: 59, rue de Rivoli, 75001.

]]> http://theparispipeline.blogspot.com/2014/05/59-rivoli-artist-collective-in.html noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) 0 tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126568970372451144.post-2066268789941240117 Mon, 26 May 2014 06:00:00 +0000 2014-08-06T21:23:00.334+02:00 General information Paris suburbs Ikea - from Paris - by train

I'm not sure if I should be supporting Ikea, but love it or hate it...Ikea is very handy when you need to furnish and create a functional Parisian apartment - quickly and on the cheap.

(Let's face it, given the condition of most Paris apartments, you're lucky if you had light fittings when you moved in).

But moving on....you won't find Ikea in Paris proper, but there are a few in the suburbs.

So...can you get to any of them by train? Yes.

1. Find your way to Montparnasse Bienvenüe using the metro lines.

2. Find your way to the SNCF part of the station, and take the SNCF line N leaving from Gare Montparnasse to Plaisir Les-Clayes (approx. 45 min).

3. Walk from the Plaisir Les-Clayes station to the Ikea - Paris Ouest, Plaisir store (approx. 5 min).

•• Don't forget you'll need your own bags to carry items, and for bigger items and furniture - Ikea offer a delivery service.

•• The other option of course is to hire a car for a day, especially for a big furniture shop.

•• Note that there's a bunch of other houseware stores in the nearby area as well.

•• Ikea address:
Paris Ouest, Plaisir
Centre commercial Grand Plaisir
202 rue Henri Barbusse
78370 Plaisir]]> http://theparispipeline.blogspot.com/2014/05/ikea-from-paris-by-train.html noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) 0 tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126568970372451144.post-8262786301091060447 Sun, 25 May 2014 10:30:00 +0000 2014-08-06T21:26:58.507+02:00 8th arrondissement Exhibitions Current exhibitions at the Grand Palais - review

Monumenta 2014These are my picks for the current exhibitions at the Grand Palais. There are others, and more coming soon, so you can check the official website for more options. And you can check out my post on the Grand Palais for for general info on the site.

1. Monumenta 2014 - this is an exhibition that is held every year where a different artist is invited to do their thing in the vast main hall of the Grand Palais. This year it's a Russian duo - Ilya & Emilia Kabakov: The Strange City.

The artists have attempted to transform the Grand Palais into a fantasy world, like something out of a comic book. As you move through each room, you learn something new about the fantasy world, and slowly immerse yourself into the "strange city". The layout is like a labyrinth, which lends itself to disorientating the viewer, and is very effective at pushing the viewer to become even further immersed in the fantasy world.

Certainly worth a visit, and aside from the exhibition itself, it's a perfect opportunity to see inside the Grand Palais main hall.

•• Runs 10 May - 22 Jun

Bill Viola

2. Bill Viola - This is a video installation by someone described by the website as one of the worlds most recognised video artists. The exhibition showcases a retrospective collection of his works going back around 35 years, and as you would expect...lots of video installations. Video art always tests my patience, as it's often delivered very slowly, but Viola still manages to keep most of his works engaging. And some really are spectacular and clever. And if you're new to video art then this exhibition is the perfect introduction.

Note that the exhibition is in one of the side rooms of the Grand Palais (not the main hall).

•• Runs 5 Mar - 21 Jul

[Image courtesy Réunion des musées nationaux - Grand Palais / Bill Viola / photo Kira Perov]]]> http://theparispipeline.blogspot.com/2014/05/current-exhibitions-at-grand-palais.html noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) 0 tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1126568970372451144.post-6798648369815010357 Thu, 22 May 2014 07:17:00 +0000 2014-08-06T21:28:06.959+02:00 8th arrondissement Galleries & museums Sites Le Grand Palais - a newbie's guide

Another must see landmark in Paris - The Grand Palais des Champs-Elysées. Originally built for the 1900 World Exposition, the building now houses a variety of exhibitions and events.

Accessing the building can be a little tricky, as there are several entry points. Each entry leads to different isolated sections of the building, as summarised below:

•• The main hall under the glass vault - this is the architectural highlight of the building. It houses the large temporary exhibitions and events. Entry is only possible during exhibitions and events, so it's worth checking the website for current and upcoming events if you want to go inside. Annual events include the Art Paris Art Fair, a car show, a horse show jumping event, and the Monumenta exhibition. If nothing is showing, you can get a small glimpse through the doors at the main entrance (facing Av Winston Churchill).

•• The other gallery spaces - these generally house temporary art exhibitions including some of the best offered by Paris. These areas are smaller, and entry doesn't give you access to the main hall. There are 3 or so different gallery spaces, each with its own entrance on the various sides/corners of the Grand Palais.

•• The Palais de la Découverte - a science museum mostly for kids. The entrance faces Av Franklin D. Roosevelt.

•• Le Mini Palais - a restaurant accessed from the south-east corner of the Grand Palais. It gets good reviews for the location and atmosphere, but mixed reviews for the food and service.

Tips and notes:

•• Check out Pont Alexandre III - a nearby bridge over the Seine River which is the most richly ornamented bridge I've seen in Paris. It shares some of the style of the Grand Palais (was built at the same time).

•• Check out the Petit Palais - opposite the Grand Palais (on the Av Winston Churchill side) and also built at the same time. It houses the Musée des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Paris, aka medieval and Renaissance artworks and artifacts. Not something for the top of your Paris to-do list, but still worth a look if you are in the area and have some free time.

•• For exhibitions in the smaller space, you'll want to get your ticket in advance to avoid the queues. For events in the main hall, the queues are shorter, but you'll still want to get your ticket in advance because popular events often sell out.

•• There is a police station in the basement of the Grand Palais, which in part helps to protect the artworks kept onsite. If you keep an eye out when wandering around the building, you'll notice the police guards.]]> http://theparispipeline.blogspot.com/2014/05/grand-palais-newbies-guide.html noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) 0