Monday, April 28, 2008

Amour !


If you wander around in Paris and see the word Amour painted on the pavement or on some shop window, it's very likely that this man - Jean-Luc Duez - did it! Jean-Luc started doing this after a love story that did not end too well... But he claims it's not the only reason. To him, writing Amour everywhere is also his own way of acting for peace in the world (he actually started doing this after 9/11). And it works! He told me that he met 3 people that wanted to commit suicide and did not because they saw one of his signs. Amazing! Check here to see more Amour!

About 20 people will attend this year's PDP Picnic on May 7, why don't you join? Please check
this topic in the PDP Forum.

61 comments:

  1. Love this photo. Better and better each day.

    ReplyDelete
  2. It certainly helps that his handwriting is so stylish! Lovely. Who is in the pic, is that him?

    ReplyDelete
  3. The black and white really works well here, Eric. And what a nice thing to do!

    (Comment 3? My lowest yet!)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Eric, That video is so hot. Did you take all those photos? Did you spend time following him around one day? And the artist, Duez, I think is very handsome in a 60's inspired sort of style. I just love it.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Eric, In my walks around Paris I've never come across Amour but the other examples of street art in Paris never fails to amaze me. I have a small portfolio of photos of the street art I've encountered and I'm always looking for more examples. Some are small and some fill the entire side of a building. In Chicago our mayor does not suffer street artists, their work is removed by crews roaming the city looking for violations of the anti-graffiti laws. What a shame - not all art hangs in a gallery.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Don't you just love the way your mouth moves when you even pronounce the word amour.
    I have recently noticed Jeff Aerosol's work around Paris because of PDP--now I have someone else to be aware of.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Love is a many splendored thing. It arrives in all colors, fades to black. It makes the world go around, and stops it dead stop. It feeds the heart, and stops it. Love warms the heart, and chills it. We love many things, and even love to hate other things. Paris j'taime. Great photo.

    See ya soon. 7 days...

    ReplyDelete
  8. Eric, layers and layers of reflection in this photo. A PERFECT shot! I love everything about it. Please share with us the story of how you came to be next to Jean Luc and his "Amour" on glass to take the photo. Did you interview him for a story?
    -Kim
    Seattle Daily Photo

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hm, Eric, when you choose to point to the love theme... that is always powerful. The video is intoxicating.

    ReplyDelete
  10. How LOVEly. I think it is an interesting photo--adore the black and white!!

    And what a mission in life, reminding us all to love.

    Eric, you should check out Lynn's photo today--just amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  11. This seems like a good time to introduce you all to an eccentric and dogged individual called Arthur Stace (1884-1967); who, after a life lived "on the wrong side of the tracks", converted to Christianity and thereafter began a project that remains both deeply mysterious and utterly marvellous. Fifty times a day, for no less than thirty years, Stace wrote the word "Eternity" on the sidewalks of Sydney: not with a spray can, but in plain white chalk - and not cryptically, but in an elegant copperplate script. How's that for keeping your eye on the "big picture"!

    PS Stace eventually became known as "Mr. Eternity".

    ReplyDelete
  12. Fabulous photo, and a great story about Jean-Luc! Loved your little movie too. I will definitely keep an eye out for Amour when I'm in Paris this fall. Once again Eric you're giving us tools to see Paris in a whole new way (both on this site, and when visiting in person). And Eric you really must see Lynn's latest post; it ties in very well with all this!

    Lucio thanks for the Mr. Eternity info. What a story; and what persistence!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Great story...to save lives...certainly could use more of it in the world these days. Might I recommend Coltrane's "Love Supreme." :-)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Katie: You're welcome.

    I'm certain Stace is a familiar figure to at least some of PDP's readers and contributors, but there will always be those to whom he is not. As for his persistence, I accidentally underrated it. His project ran for a total of thirty-seven years!

    Sorry Arthur, wherever you are . . .

    ReplyDelete
  15. Cool picture and cool story. Thanks for sharing this. It put a smile on my face.

    ReplyDelete
  16. hi!
    I would like to know if skateboarding is a popular sport in France.
    (if you get a chance...) Please take a picture of young teenagers skateboarding around paris.
    Merci

    ReplyDelete
  17. this is just what i needed, a great pick-me-up after weeks of confinement, perfecting my final studio project. thank you for the beautiful, serene photo :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Eric, how subtle you are. And how wise. What a lovely photo. What a lovely man. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Eric the video link is great. It's nice that you were able to "catch him in action" around Paris so that we could visualise the way he makes his art. I also like Jeff's tribute to love...watch out folks!

    Did you have to get down on the ground to take any of the photos in the video?

    ReplyDelete
  20. The Paris Picnic, I cannot make it this year. Next year I think so. We could have a picnic here in
    SF at Union Square, same time -- then it would be virtual. Let me know if any of you SF people are into this. bisou bisou

    ReplyDelete
  21. What a cool idea Lois? How about a simultaneous picnic around the world? You bloggers could all post photos of the event too! Now that would be spreading l'Amour!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Voila, quand j'ai vu "Amour" j'ai immediatement pense a Grand Corps Malade :


    C'était sur une grande route, j'marchais là d'puis des jours
    Voire des s'maines ou des mois, j'marchais là d'puis toujours
    Une route pleine de virages, des trajectoires qui dévient
    Un ch'min un peu bizarre, un peu tordu comme la vie
    Evidemment j'étais pas tout seul, j'avais envie d'faire connaissance
    Y'avait un tas d'personnes et personne marchait dans l'même sens
    Alors j'continuais tout droit mais un doute s'est installé
    Je savais pas c'que j'foutais là, encore moins où j'devais aller
    Mais en ch'min au fil du temps j'ai fait des sacrées rencontres
    Des trucs impressionants, faut absolument qu'j'vous raconte
    Ces personnages que j'ai croisé c'est pas vraiment des êtres humains
    Tu peux parler avec eux mais jamais leur serrer la main
    Tout d'abord sur mon parcours j'ai rencontré l'innocence ....

    ...Un moment sur ma route j'ai rencontré l'amour
    J'lui ai dit tient tu tombes bien, j'veux t'parler d'puis toujours
    Dans l'absolu t'es une bonne idée mais dans les faits c'est un peu nul
    Tu pars en couille une fois sur deux faudrait qu'tu r'travaille ta formule
    L'amour m'a dit écoute petit ça fait des siècles que j'fais mon taff
    Alors tu m'parles sur un autre ton si tu veux pas t'manger des baffes
    Moi j'veux bien être gentil mais faut qu'chacun y mette du sien
    Les humains n'font aucun effort et moi j'suis pas un magicien
    On s'est embrouillé un p'tit moment et c'est là qu'j'me suis rendu compte
    Que l'amour était sympa mais que quand même il s'la raconte
    Puis il m'a dit qu'il d'vait partir, il avait des rendez-vous par centaine
    Que ce soir il d'vait diner chez sa d'mi-soeur : la haine
    Avant d'partir j'ai pas bien compris, il m'a conseillé d'y croire toujours
    Puis s'est éloigné sans s'retourner, c'était mes derniers mots d'amour
    J'suis content d'l'avoir connu, ça j'l'ai bien réalisé
    Et je sais qu'un d'ces quatre on s'ra amené à s'recroiser

    Un peu plu stard sur mon ch'min j'ai rencontré la tendresse
    Ce qui reste de l'amour derrière les barrières que le temps dresse ...

    Grand Corps Malade, Rencontres

    http://www.paroles.net/chanson/39080.1

    ReplyDelete
  23. Here is the utube version with the prononciation in French, if that helps.


    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1zwtH7Kgys

    ReplyDelete
  24. Great photo, and I love the video! What a wonderful way to start a new week!
    MZM

    ReplyDelete
  25. Encore une autre sur l'Amour


    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdyJVJQia6k&feature=related

    Grand Corps Malade, Les Voyages en Train

    ReplyDelete
  26. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  27. My mom found your site and forwarded it to me and I am so glad she did. I am about to return to the US after my second stint of living in Paris (in the 9th as well) so I am glad to have found a site that will give me a little taste of the city that has been my home once I am back in America. And as a hobby photographer and occassional blogger about life in Paris I really enjoy your stuff. Merci bien!

    ReplyDelete
  28. YOU MADE MY DAY.
    I was a little bit sad and...it's finish.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Tomate - The music breathes life into the text. It truly pulsates and leaves one satiated,pensive yet content. Thank you:)

    ReplyDelete
  30. Lynn's photo of the day is just breathtaking! What a winner! Click away PDP fans for a real treat!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Eric, thanks for the Amour message. Always good to read or hear.
    And Tomate, thanks for Grand Corps Malade. Great text!

    ReplyDelete
  32. he he Katie, Christie, Marie and Michael, well done, you got Eric over to me in style. Anyone else wanting to see what Eric did over at my place in Cheltenham, click Michael's link above! All welcome....oh it's worth it .. lol!

    ReplyDelete
  33. *finishED* (better)

    The video is so nice! Eric, did you meet him and wandered together to see his work or did you do it by yourself? Tell us how you took these pictures please.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Those before him used to spread the word: All you need is love!

    ReplyDelete
  35. :-)))))))))))
    ;-) lynn
    inge
    I think i am getting addicted to PDP

    ReplyDelete
  36. Great joke Lynn and thank you for giving me the space over at CheltenhamDailyPhoto to get Eric back for his post on the 25th! Now the next time Eric says, "I'm going to bed early because I've had a busy day", I want each of you to remind him of his "busy days"!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Yes it happens to all of us, Anonyme!

    My pleasure, Michael. Anoyone else got photos of dear Eric they want to ... erm... share? LOL... Eric is saying EEK for the first time, i bet.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Oh i seem to have developed an accent in the midst of my excitement; anoyone? I meant anyone, of course.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Lynn, the picture will come: after the PICNIC! :)

    ReplyDelete
  40. You see, what one man can do for someone. Good for him. When you see him tell him what a good job he is doing. God Bless Him. Elaine Cooke

    ReplyDelete
  41. You see, what one man can do for someone. Good for him. When you see him tell him what a good job he is doing. God Bless Him. Elaine Cooke

    ReplyDelete
  42. the pictureS* (mais que se passe t-il aujourd'hui?! Maybe I'm in love. LOL.)

    ReplyDelete
  43. Eric - adore the photo - adore the video. How I envy you being able to meander through the streets of Paris, observing and sharing such perfect slices of daily life. Yes, how did you meet him? I always love the backstories behind the featured moment. Thank you, again for sharing such beauty on a dreary New Hampshire morning!

    ReplyDelete
  44. what a great story. Loved the video too. Thanks for the link. Great work!

    ReplyDelete
  45. What a bittersweet story and such a neat pic, especially in B&W!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Mais oui, Guille, c'est ca, tu es en amour, c'est vrai ;)

    ReplyDelete
  47. When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie,
    That's amore. (Tell 'em, Dino)

    I love the fact that one week from now I'll be sitting in an airplane, escaping. Here's a...more: just got my European phone today so calls will be easy, and no charge pour mes amis Parisiens.

    ReplyDelete
  48. I have taken a photo of "Amour" a couple of times. I just looked through my photos, and yes, it is the same handwriting. It is so good to connect the face to the word. I photographed it on the sidewalk in the 7e Arrt while walking to the park. Another time, I photographed it on a wall on Île de la Cité.

    Hi Lynn, I visited your site thanks to Michael's link. Very nice photo of Eric.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Jeff, I'm happy for you. Keep posting your updates! Allow me to live vicariously through your excitement.

    ReplyDelete
  50. I remember I was in Paris when people were first noticing the work of Jean-Luc Duez and his "Amour" markings around the city. I really thought they were great and they are definitely noticed. Merci, Eric!


    michael and lynn...Ooooohhh...how naughty of you two!! A conspiracy..I knew it! LOL!!

    jeff...What service did you get your phone through here in the US???

    ReplyDelete
  51. What a great way to spread the word!

    Today I'm saying a huge big thank you for the support shown by CDP bloggers.

    ReplyDelete
  52. he he Tonton and Lois. It's Michael's photo i merely posted it as he doesn't blog at the moment. Not so many comments as i expected but of course anybody looking at the portal simply sees a man - they don't know it's ERic until they get there LOL i should have photoshopped his name onto it.

    ReplyDelete
  53. Tonton_flaneur: I got the tip from somebody here on PDP. It's "Call In Europe", at www.callineurope.com. It's a pretty good deal. Friends in Paris won't need to pay to call me. (Of course, this assumes I have any friends in Paris who will call me!!!)

    ReplyDelete
  54. To ANONYME who likes to skate "I would like to know if skateboarding is a popular sport in France.

    Totally!! They have been skateboarding in France since the 70's (that I know of) and they're still doing it now.

    Here is a French website with some links you can click on.

    http://le-site-du-skateboard.com/


    And here is a site with photographs and videos of skateboarding in Paris in front of the Hotel de Ville

    http://www.speedvibes.com/show.php?&code=23093paris

    Hope that gives you a good start.

    ReplyDelete
  55. That is such a sweet thing for Jean-Luc to do, and I am so glad he has managed to save some lives in the process. His handwriting/penmanship is beautiful too.

    ReplyDelete
  56. Great blog, great photos, great stories. I like to check in on your blog, because I am reminded of the things that make Paris such a special city.

    ReplyDelete