March 2013

The Evolution of Rodin Paris, France 2013

These three sculptures at the Rodin Museum don’t really have anything to do with evolution–or at least I don’t think they do. But I thought this lineup (a composition actually spotted by the Fashion Queen) looked very much like part of one of those old textbook illustrations of the steps in the evolution of man.]]>

Bowie is God Paris, France 2013

I thought it was odd to come across this David Bowie poster just a few days after I posted this POTD photo of a guy on the street in a similar pose. What is even more odd perhaps is that even though the words on the poster are in English rather than French, I still don’t really have much of an understanding about its message.]]>

Art is What You Make It Paris, France 2013

Aside from it’s inherent characteristics, how we react to art is also a reflection of our background, our experience and the times in which we live. So, after walking around Paris seeing so many tourists using their mobile phones to take self-portraits of themselves with famous sights or art in the background, you have to forgive the Fashion Queen and I for having the obvious reaction to this otherwise rather fine piece of sculpture at the Louvre. I’m sure it had a more historically plausible interpretation (although all the signage was in French), but sometimes you have to go with your gut reaction.

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21st Century Mona Paris, France 2013

A new-age La Joconde striking a pose at the Hôtel de Ville on  drizzly evening.

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The Road Less Traveled Paris, France 2013

The next street over from the busy one in yesterday’s POTD. Guess which one I actually walked down?]]>

Saint Séverin Saturday Night Paris, France 2013

The Saturday night street scene near “lonely” Saint Séverin.

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Saint Séverin Paris, France 2013

Although it looks rather forlorn and even spooky, Saint Séverin  sits right in the middle of one of the liveliest areas of Paris for entertainment day or night. The church is said to be a classic example of Gothic architecture, perhaps even more classic than Notre Dame. Alas, it never had its Quasimodo so has remained in relative obscurity. It is not without it’s own literary champion though. The American poet Alan Seeger (Pete’s uncle), although no Victor Hugo, immortalized Saint Séverin’s bells (including the oldest still in use in Paris) in his poem Paris. Here is an excerpt:

Come out into the evening streets. The green light lessens in the west. The city laughs and liveliest her fervid pulse of pleasure beats.

The belfry on Saint Severin strikes eight across the smoking eaves: Come out under the lights and leaves to the Reine Blanche on Saint Germain. . . .

Now crowded diners fill the floor of brasserie and restaurant. Shrill voices cry “L’Intransigeant,” and corners echo “Paris-Sport.”

Where rows of tables from the street are screened with shoots of box and bay, The ragged minstrels sing and play and gather sous from those that eat.

And old men stand with menu-cards, inviting passers-by to dine On the bright terraces that line the Latin Quarter boulevards. . . .

But, having drunk and eaten well, ’tis pleasant then to stroll along And mingle with the merry throng that promenades on Saint Michel.

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It’s Not What You Think Paris, France 2013

Like the title says, it’s not what you think, thank goodness. It’s just a strange stance for a guy texting on his phone. I’m not sure what she was looking at.

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Sculpture in White Paris, France 2013

Detail of a sculpture by an unknown (to me) artist in a sculpture garden along the Seine.]]>

Pedestrian View Paris, France 2013

Just a grab shot of the Eiffel Tower I took because it was the first view of it I got from our neighborhood on the Left Bank. I was standing on the “front porch” of the Pantheon at the time, so this is pretty much the same shot that every other visitor takes from there. But as such, it serves as the perfect setup for the double entendre title, which I like very much.]]>