Andre Derain at Centre Pompidou Exhibition Poster.
André Derain together with Henri Matisse started fauvism in 1905. They worked together during the summer of 1905 painting in a small mediterranean village named Collioure. When they later during the fall exhibited their works at the Salon d’Automne in Paris they were labelled “les fauves” (“the wild beasts”), by a critic because of their use of vivid – unnatural colors in the paintings and thus “fauvism” was born!
It is evident from the below painting by André Derain how different the use of bright and strong colors in the fauvism paintings were compared to most other artists of the time.
Centre Pompidou is currently having a great retrospect of the late French artist César (Baldaccini) whose most famous work is his thumb in different sizes and different materials. Once you have seen this exhibit you will however realize that even though le Pouce is his most famous work, it is only one of a multitude of works in different materials and techniques. He has crushed/compressed, expanded, welded, sculpted, and he has poured. César was born in Marseille in 1921 and he went to art school at first in Ecole des Beaux-Arts, Marseilles and later transferred to École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris. In Paris he met among others, Picasso and he lived in the same building as Giacometti which both influenced him strongly. César’s works were in the area of what was regarded as Nouveau Realisme and he sometimes fabricated from scraps and found things. César died in Paris in 1988 at the age of 77. Read more about Centre Pompidou and become a member here.
Le Pouce de César.A César bird.Compressed Renault.Flattened auto.A pour of resin.The 15 ft high Bronze of le pouce at La Defense.
Centre Pompidou from the street.Panoramic_view_mainEntrance
Built 1977 on the initiative of then president of France, George Pompidou. Centre George Pompidou – Musée national d’art moderne as the proper name is, celebrates 40 years this year 2017. It was not without controversy when it was built since it was a very modern and industrial looking building. As the blog title indicate it was among many different things called Notre Dame de la Tuyauterie (Our lady of the pipes). This was mainly due to the exposed mechanical systems and a lot of exposed ducts and other mechanical system parts – some compared it to an oil refinery. Architects: Renzo Piano, Richard Rogers, Gianfranco Franchini, Ove Arup, Peter Rice, Mike Davies, Su Rogers
Centre Pompidou from the main entrance side.César le pouce – “the thumb” outside the centre Pompidou during the César exhibit.The sculpture garden outside the Centre Pompidou.Centre Pompidou lines on Wednesday December 27 2017 – a rainy day in Paris.
Just remember that if you bring an umbrella (at least a full-size one), a backpack etc. you will also have to be in line for the coatcheck which can be quite long on rainy days – be smart and wear a rain jacket and no backpack!
George Pompidou in the main entrance hallway.Centre Pompidou is 40 this year.Gathering, by Daniel Firman.Chez Georges restaurant on the top floor has nice views of Paris and good food, even vegetarian options.
Paris – ville lumière. During the Christmas season this takes on a slightly different meaning than the one that suggest it is the city of enlightenment as in centre of education, when all the lights shine in unison it is not too far fetched to interpret “ville lumière” as city of lights…
The upscale shopping center Galeries Lafayette in Paris is decked out for the holidays. The after Christmas Sales are on and if you go inside you will find one of the most elaborate displays ever.
Galeries Lafayette on Rue Lafayette.
The magical display inside Galeries Lafayette in Paris. Below is a still picture of the display.
Galeries Lafayette Christmas display.
Here is a look down Boulevard Hausmann by the Galeries Lafayette:
Boulevard Hausmann by the Galeries Lafayette.
A beautiful art deco Metro station entrance:
Metro entrance to line 3 Parmentier stop.
Another look at the ever so beautiful Eiffel tower:
Eiffel tower Paris.Eiffel tower from the butte de Montmartre and Sacré Coeur.Sacré Coeur.La Opera de Paris.La Opera de Paris sculpture.Arc de Triomphe as seen from atop Galleries Lafayette.Arc de Triomphe.Arc de Triomphe.Le Escargo Montorgueil. Leaves no doubt of what is served here!Le Moulin Rouge in Montmartre.Le Grand Rex Theatre.Musée du Louvre.Musée du Louvre – an animal in the interior parts guarding a grand staircase.Notre-Dame de Paris western facade.La Seine and la tour Eiffel.
