Two Americans in Paris

Centre Pompidou, or 'Musée National d'Art Moderne'
Centre Pompidou, or ‘Musée National d’Art Moderne’
Architects Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers, inaugurated on January 31 1977.
Entrance Hall at Centre Pompidou
Entrance Hall at Centre Pompidou

Two Americans are featured at the National Gallery for Modern Art at the Centre Pompidou in Paris currently, Architect Frank Gehry and artist Jeff Koons. I am not sure that there is any thought behind the timing of the two exhibitions as far as to have them run concurrently.

Frank Gehry at the Centre Pompidou in Paris
Frank Gehry at the Centre Pompidou in Paris

The Frank Gehry exhibition is filled, as you would expect, with sketches, drawings and models of different project that he has undertaken over the years. Some are single family homes and some are developments on a bigger scale.

What really seemed to capture peoples interest when I was visiting was the Jackson Pollock documentary on Gehry, Jackson Pollock often did his own videography and was talking to Frank Gehry more as a friend then an interviewer. It was very interesting and gave a great insight into how Frank Gehry and his firm evolved over the years.

I liked seeing the different models and especially the first conceptual crude drawings on notebook paper was very enlightening of the process involved from first ideas to actual models and drawings. Frank Gehry started out doing ‘regular’ buildings but I think he really wanted to be more of an artist than an architect and he was hanging out in artist circles more than architect circles – whatever that is. I like Frank Gehry’s buildings and they generally make a great impression on the neighborhoods they are in. I also appreciate the ‘regular’ architects that build the everyday homes we live in since we can’t all afford to live in Frank Gehry designed homes – and maybe that’s just lucky.

Jeff Koons at the Centre Pompidou November 26 2014 - April 27 2015
Jeff Koons at the Centre Pompidou November 26 2014 – April 27 2015

The Jeff Koons exhibition is interesting, there is quite a few pieces that clearly makes you see how much of a narcissist he really is, not that that’s uncommon or even a bad thing for an artist to be – it might even be a requisite to ‘succeed’. He is frequently put in question as an artist by the ones that has taken it upon themselves to determine who is a ‘real’ artist and who isn’t.

Dictionary.com defines ‘artist’ as (first two of seven definitions) :

noun

1. a person who produces works in any of the arts that are primarily subject to aesthetic criteria.
2.a person who practices one of the fine arts, especially a painter or sculptor.
Clearly Jeff Koons is an artist and makes art that appeals to many, and which people pay large sums of money for. I think one of the problems some people may have is his background as a Wall Street stockbroker before he became an artist. I think that like beauty, art is in the eye of the beholder – we can’t all like the same things – thank goodness for that! Many artists were put down by critics and peers at one time or another – it might even be that it just means that the art you make as an artist invokes feelings and touch people – and, see that’s just the idea with art in my book.
I recall a story about Lousiana artist George Rodrigue, who went to art school in Los Angeles in the sixties and the class all went to see an Andy Warhol exhibition which their professor the next day dismissed as “nonsense’ and stated  ‘he will never amount to anything’.
Everyone is an artist – it just needs nourishing and to be let out – bring the arts back to the US schools!
Go see the Jeff Koons exhibition if you are in Paris and be inspired and touched!

Centre Pompidou info here.

Georges redeems la France in the area of Museum Restaurants

Centre Pompidou Musée National d'Art Moderne Paris France
Centre Pompidou – Musée National d’Art Moderne – Paris France

My hypothesis on the possibility of being able to find good Vegetarian dishes in museum restaurants around the world has mostly proven to be true so far. One notable exceptions being le Louvre – the National Art Museum of la France where the only vegetarian option in December 2013 was a microwaved quiche in the cafeteria – with paper plate, plastic cutlery and with red wine in a plastic cup and all it made for a pretty dismal experience! I am happy to now note that the French pride is somewhat restored in that the Georges restaurant on the 6th floor at the Centre Pompidou which is also known as Musée National d’Art Moderne, has a very good vegetarian option on the menu (more than one would of course be most welcome – but it’s a start). The service is very good and it is a white tablecloth and red rose in a vase kind of a place – the tables are pretty close together though so you may be able to say hi to the neighbors if you so like. It is not an inexpensive restaurant, but I think the experience and the quality of the food and service makes it worth the price. The views are nice – just realize that washing the windows on the outside is likely not easy and you can tell that it is not something that is done very often.

Apéritif - un Pastise
Apéritif – un Pastise
MUSHROOMS RAVIOLIS, TRUFFLE CREAM
MUSHROOMS RAVIOLIS, TRUFFLE CREAM
Chocolate fondant, cafe et un Cognac
Chocolate fondant, cafe et un Cognac

The restaurant Georges will either prepare you for the museum visit or it could just be the very pleasant ending of your visit – your choice really. Check hours etc. here.  Making a reservation may also be a good idea since it is a popular place. This visit was made in January 2015.

Rose
Rose

 

 

 

Best Vegetarian (or Vegan if you so choose) Burger in Paris at V.G

V.G Burger 85 Rue Lafayette Paris
V.G Burger 85 Rue Lafayette Paris

In Paris V.G. is so far the best place I have found for when you crave a fast food style healthy vegan or vegetarian burger (you can choose style). they make it all fresh right in front of you and the burgers are all delicious. V.G is located in the 9e arrondissement and fairly close to Gare du Nord and Montmartre. The prices are reasonable, EUR 9.90 in January 2015 which includes burger, frites and a soft-drink such as – Orangina.

VG Burger combo
VG Burger combo
V.G Burger kitchen
V.G Burger kitchen

 

Holiday Cheers from Europe – London 2014

Carnaby Street - Soho - London
Carnaby Street – Soho – London

Carnaby Street was the hottest fashion street in Europe during part of the ‘Sixties’.

Selfridges Oxford Street London
Selfridges Oxford Street London
Reindeer in London's Covent Garden area
Reindeer in London’s Covent Garden area

 

Piccadilly Circus
Piccadilly Circus

The light from the jumbo advertising screens makes the shot magic – just a cellphone photo as most others in this post – it’s so easy and always there.

Eros statue in Piccadilly Circus surrounded by Christmas presents
Eros statue in Piccadilly Circus surrounded by Christmas presents

Last christmas 2013 Eros was encased in plastic as a Snow-globe, but the storms blew it apart and there were styrofoam pellets all over…

Swan in the round Pond in Hyde park London
Swan in the Round Pond in Hyde park London