Friday, June 06, 2008

Le Parcours Saint Germain


Every year in the Saint Germain area (Saint Germain is a famous quarter of Paris known for its intellectual background) they have an exhibition called "Le parcours Saint Germain - the Saint Germain route). This year's theme is "once upon a time" and most pieces of art are inspired by childhood memories. Hence this huge statue, made by a group of artists of various nationalities called Le Collectif 6bis which is supposed to show how "the city can turn into a huge playground". OK, your turn to comment now ;~) - PS: sorry for the delay in publishing, it's entirely my fault, I made a mistake using the new post scheduling function of Blogger!

85 comments:

  1. Could be an interesting photo op to stand below her outstretched hand.

    ReplyDelete
  2. First things first -- Eric, I am sure that the entire PDP community is breathing a collective sigh of relief that all is well! No apology needed -- What you have created here and what you do on a daily basis is amazing, and I thank you profusely.

    Next, I love this concept. A really charming photo. How long will the exhibition last?

    Finally, Bibi -- Felicitations! You were right. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  3. The colors and lighting make it seem rather like a stage setting.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I agree, Tall Gary. I just looked at the photo enlarged. I like the angle, and the colors are so striking. That blue sky is remarkably clear and gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Good to see you're up and running, Eric. Bibi was thinking about this while teaching her class! I like this large "little" girl.

    ReplyDelete
  6. (Forgot---Bibi invites you to celebrate the happy "return" of PDP at her site, with a very large ice cream...)

    ReplyDelete
  7. When I first looked at this photo, I thought it was a virtual statue. It looks so "digital"

    Hey Bibi
    You were right...Can you give me some numbers to play in the Euromillions tonight? :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. 'Just saw the answer to my question on the link. (I was so busy enjoying the photo and being glad that all was once again well in PDPland that I overlooked the link.) The exhibit only lasts until June 19th. I shall have to read further to satisfy my next point of curiosity: what becomes of these works once the event ends.

    This reminds me again how much life and appreciation for enjoying it exists in Paris.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Looking at some of the other artists I kinda like the giant bunny rabbit of Christian Gonzenbach à la chapelle des Beaux Arts and Lila Jang's work at Bonpoint. Both white. To go with my beard?

    Both somewhat prepositional art that one can imagine climbing on; or, in the rabbit's case, around, over; and if it is hungry, in.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh how we worry about our Eric! I was late coming here today and the first i knew of the 'drama' was a text from dear Guille asking me if there was news. I am sure you are touched, Eric. Had i known you were late, i would have naturally assumed you were holding forth at the table of a grateful host somewhere, delighted only that you graced their presence. LOL ! Eric, the guest of honour regaling his audience with anecdotes in his beautiful French accent. It's with some disappointment that i find it's just a Blogger Blunder... sigh...

    ReplyDelete
  11. The huge statue is quite charming though i feel it should be placed in an espace vert rather than in front of an ancient building?

    ReplyDelete
  12. Eric, what a great idea - fill the streets with art. Thanks for the link - being able to view some of the other pieces included in the exhibit was a real treat. How tall would you estimate your girl in blue to be? David

    ReplyDelete
  13. I am not going to lie, this thing is scary! Great picture, but scary 10 year old. Childzillaaaaaa! Run Eric Run

    ReplyDelete
  14. I like the way that child looks. Great shot Eric. I have a new for you. Trujillo Daily Photo will be shown in a nice exposition soon.

    A big hug from Barcelona

    Barcelona Daily Photo

    ReplyDelete
  15. An odd statue for the background/setting. But, up-close, she has a pensive expression. What is the meaning, do you think, of her outstretched hand and her intent gaze? Is she trying to pat humanity on the head? Those are some huge shoes she has. They look like Dutch wooden shoes.

    ReplyDelete
  16. So glad Eric wasn't having some kind of trouble -- I was worried.

    The little girl is kind of scary to me, too -- she's not little at all. I think what's wierd is that the statue puts an adult in the physical size of a child. I'd like to see a picture with an adult reaching up and holding her hand --just like you have to do when you're small -- what a big world kids live in.

    ReplyDelete
  17. In my quest to be quick I posted on the last commnets section...oops-glad all is well Eric. We love you, can you tell?
    Todays photo is amazing I can't wait to peruse it further when I have more time later today.
    Have a great day everyone!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I like this photo.
    The colours, lighting,the angle of shot and the background work so well.
    I agree with an earlier comment by Rose that it has an unreal, digital, look - almost like a still from a movie (a slightly creepy fairy tale?)

    D.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Yay, a new photo! Glad it was just a technical problem in posting Eric. This is a very interesting statue. You say it's huge, but how huge? I assume that the outstretched hand is high enough to rest on top of a person's head. I bet there will be lots of funny photos taken with this statue by tourists. I'd sure pose with her!

    ReplyDelete
  20. What a revief to see your new post Eric. We were worried last night, we got so used to you posting by midnight.


    I love to see the image of this church, since it is, like I've said before, my favourite neighborhood in Paris. It is so familiar and brings so many great memories!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Welcome back, Eric! I agree with Monica, this is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Paris, too, and holds wonderful memories of my first trip to the "huge playground"! As for the statue, the little girl has enormous shoes for growing feet (as most kids do). Being that she is in Paris, I think she'll be able to find at least one "pair" of decent shoes. BTW...to emphasize my point that Parisians are crazy about shoes, look at what they named the city...PARIS...a lot like "PAIRS" (of shoes) if you know what I mean. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  22. ...and "no" I don't think this sweet child looks like Axel Rose's little sister.

    ReplyDelete
  23. That's such a lovely concept for an exhibition. And since I love fairy tales, I like the theme too. But a lot of fairy tales are actually quite scary. I hope none of the artwork there are too creepy.

    ReplyDelete
  24. A couple years ago I was there about this time, so there was another sculpture exhibit in Place St. Germain. I didn't know it was an annual event, so this is great. I love the colors of this photo--Place St. Germain really does have that almost artificial lighting glow because of the church illumination. The photo captures it well. Eric, I'm appreciating your photos more and more now. Merci.

    ReplyDelete
  25. One more thing: I believe Notre Reine completed another week of tough exams this week. Well done, Guille!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Eriiiiiiic (cri de groupie)! Voilà, ça y est, ma vie reprend son cours normal. :)

    I love the idea of an exhibition through Paris, or at least in some of its streets.
    I'll have a look! Is it only big sculptures or is it various?

    Jeff, thanks. Yeah, 9 exams left and 12 days more: almost the end. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  27. Eric, THIS sculpture looks like it should be the one in front of the children's school, not that ogre bursting out of the building(Photo you posted a few months ago).
    Two days before MY Paris vacation!

    ReplyDelete
  28. lol Guille, cri de groupie!! Ok i'll join - Eriiiiiiic!

    ReplyDelete
  29. To me it's an eerie photo. The sky is perfect. The lighting looks like a movie set. It's quite beautiful. And then (as misawa mama said): Childzilla! (da da da da....) RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!!!!

    At the cafe, I would insist on a chair facing this statue. I wouldn't turn my back to it. You never know.

    Thank you so much for posting, Eric! Apparently we've come to depend on you!

    Now I'm going to see what Bibi's cooked up.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Hey, that wasn't there before!!! I like it! :)

    ReplyDelete
  31. How Surreal or what it has inspired today - Nouveau Surrealism. At first glance I thought, looks a little like Japanese Anime. Maybe there is a little dog or cat that goes with this little girl. BTW I like the little girls scarf -- the design on the fabric.

    Lynn, about the scarf. Look at the little girls blue dress' hemn -- there isn't any. That's what I do to my scarves. It's the latest thing in Paris. I bought a blouse there and it has a lot of ruffles and lace and nothing is hemned. After I wash them, there are a few lose threads that I just trim off.

    Guille, "Groupie", LOL -- Me too, me too -- I am an Eric groupie.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Very cool. I wonder where the pieces will end up after the exhibition.

    ReplyDelete
  33. I know you don't know him, my X, Jean-Baptiste, is having his 40th birthday today. He really likes Eric's photography. He is a silent observer. Anyway, he is in Paris for the month visiting our relatives. He was in Asia the last two months. Japanese Anime and Asian art, film and photography have really influenced his film and photography. I think I mentioned before that he is having a love affair with Asia. And looking at this sculpture, it appears that Anime has affected other Paris artists.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Bon anniversaire, Jean-Baptiste. Lois, ask him if he's familiar with a "classic" animé called "Tenchi." I used to voice one of the characters for the English dub.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Somebody better call Nancy Archer and let her know her granddaughter is wandering alone in the streets of Paris…

    Seriously, I went to the site, Eric, and it looks like a marvelous exhibition! I love the theme. I can’t imagine the looks on the faces of people that happen upon this big “little” girl! I think Petrea is correct; I would keep my eye on her also!

    ReplyDelete
  36. I'm with misawa mama and Petrea on this - SCARY!! Like a Twilight Zone episode where we are just dolls to be manipulated by the giant children - don't make her unhappy, be cute, smile....

    Maybe in different lighting it would be less threatening, but not nearly so interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Petrea, Yes, Jean-Baptiste knows "Tenchi." You do voice for anime characters? Are you famous?

    ReplyDelete
  38. Lois: Ha! Famous among animé fans, I guess. I was the first English voice of Ryoko the space pirate. But if you've never heard of Tenchi and Ryoko, no, I'm not famous.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Bibi -- I left a message on your blog. Unfortunately, I went to bed before you came up with your brilliant solution. Woke up at 3 AM, and almost went online to check. Glad now that I didn't, because Eric still would not have been there, and I probably wouldn't have been able to go back to sleep.
    Eric, see what happens when you are unfailingly dependable? One little slip-up and we worry, worry, worry! I blame Blogger, not you. Just glad it wasn't one of the less pleasant possibilities my overactive imagination came up with late last night.
    Meanwhile, I must agree that this not-so-little girl is indeed scary! Went to the link, and a lot of it is un peu creepy (perhaps some of these artists had a less than happy childhood?). But it's still accessible art for everyone, something Paris does so well. Thanks for showing us.

    ReplyDelete
  40. uselaine takes notes on Petrea to take over to Ming the Merciless...

    ReplyDelete
  41. He's on a vetting setting, Petrea, so there's a little backlog of posts not yet seen. ;^)

    ReplyDelete
  42. Gotcha. I posted, but it may seem out of synch with whatever's there.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Petrea, So you are famous. Do you have autographed photos of yourself or the anime characters? Last night I saw Dustin Hoffman on TV promoting his animated character, Master Shifu, in the new release Kung Fu Panda. I think Dustin is more handsome now than he was when he was young. Funny how that works -- some people actually look better as they get older.

    ReplyDelete
  44. The photo itself is lovely with the color contrasts.

    But as a subject, she scares me, too. All I can think is, "What if she came to life??" Clearly, I have Chucky issues.

    ~Amy

    ReplyDelete
  45. Those of you who are in the scaredy-cat camp on this one, like me, should take a look at today's post on the d&t Athens CDP blog... even scarier.

    ReplyDelete
  46. Eric! Great photo man! You know? I'm living in Paris too, and always I think: " Never one year will be enough to visit every corner and discover something new on our City of Ligths, and I think this is the great way to discover the city ...


    I have a little question to you: Why almost never you post a picture about inmigrants in Paris or places not to know like "Institut du Mexique" or "Cinema La Latina" or places who show us people from Senegal, Morocco, Tunisie, Australie, New Zeland, Perou, etc. etc ??

    I think will be a great idea for show our friends how is changing Paris with a new cosmopolitan way ...

    Peace!

    Gusi from Les Marais

    ReplyDelete
  47. Gus: stay tuned, Eric posts all those. But wait! There's more!



    (re: groupies--I think I'm a groupie groupie.)

    ReplyDelete
  48. Jeff, I'm a groupie groupie and an Eric groupie, which I think makes me a PDP groupie.

    ReplyDelete
  49. I'm a groupie too !!!! :)

    I just came home from a weeks work 24/7 and I'm beat, but I had to go to PDP first thing, but you guys have been so busy that I just gave up on reading all the comments.
    But I love ALL the photos Eric, thank you !

    ReplyDelete
  50. he he Eric has groupies now.

    Lois thanks i'm going to do it. How much material do you need though? I wouldn't know, really and i'd end up with a handkerchief or a dress!

    Petrea that made me laugh out loud about you facing the statue he he! Brr. You'd better not have nightmares tonight he he.

    ReplyDelete
  51. I'd have to face it, Lynn. Otherwise it wouldn't be good feng shui.

    ReplyDelete
  52. I just have to comment on yesterdays photo ;
    Yves Saint Laurent was a star ! I'm not wearing his clothes (lack of money) but I'm wearing his scents. "Paris" and "Paris-roses des vergers-eau de printemps" are my favorites.
    A huge farewell to
    M.Saint Laurent :(

    ReplyDelete
  53. 'it wouldn't be good feng shui' LOOOL Petrea!

    I would like to believe that I'm the instigator of the GB (Groupies Band). Oh wait! I am! Hehe.

    Don't you think that this 'little' girl looks like a contemporary Alice in Wonderland? (Paris as Wonderland, of course). I really like her. She is so cute with her clogs and scarf! I think she's asleep by the way, look at her eyes.
    Eric if you know the tittle of this at work, met me know!

    ReplyDelete
  54. Paris is indeed wonderland, Guille. And she could be Alice, after she ate some of the cake that made her grow too big!

    ReplyDelete
  55. 'Petite fille' is the title (Too obvious, it misses something).

    'this 'little' girl looks like a contemporary Alice in Wonderland' Guille, Guille, think before posting, the exhibition tittle is 'once upon a time', so it's obvious (too) that she could be Alice...You were so pride about your discovery. Tss tss.

    Petrea, I want to taste this cake!! I'm so small. LOL

    ReplyDelete
  56. Collectif 6 bis mentions here that she is 3.5 meters tall. My 198 centimeters might just about fit under her hand; or, as Petrea has me fearing, if I don't keep my eyes on her from my table at Les Deux Magots across the street, my skull crushed within her iron fingers?

    I much prefer her as (as Jeff might say) Axl Rosette than her as a red-dressed Little Orphan Annie. Are the crows thinking "nest" as they check out her hair?

    ReplyDelete
  57. That Axl Rose likening was Coltrane's. Sorry.

    ReplyDelete
  58. Gary...it was the head scarf that tipped the scales Axel's way. Erph!
    Wish I were having a coffee at Deux Magots or...what's the other cafe next door? Can't believe my brain can't come up with it? I do need un cafe!

    ReplyDelete
  59. Coltrane, taste this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFnvxOmm6tc
    (sorry, I can't make a link, I don't know why!)

    Gary, 198 centimeters...man! I can't see you from my 162 centimeters. LOL

    ReplyDelete
  60. Coltrane; I think you mean "Café Flore" don't you ?

    ReplyDelete
  61. Lois said: Some people actually look better as they get older.
    Think this is mostly true of men and certain women who might be considered "handsome" or jolie-laide, like Diana Vreeland. Agree? Disagree?

    ReplyDelete
  62. I agree Alexa! For men, especially. ;)
    Okay I have to stop this kind of remarks before Lynn comes and continues, in a more daring way!
    LOL

    ReplyDelete
  63. I think all people looks great when they get older. I like it when you can see that a person has lived a life. I don't think that youth is all that desirable.

    ReplyDelete
  64. Look that was an old/tired woman talking;LOL :)

    ReplyDelete
  65. Bettina -- it would be lovely if everyone felt as you do (well, maybe not so great for the plastic surgeons, who are doing such a booming business these days).

    ReplyDelete
  66. Bettina you're totally right.
    The way you said it is so honest and nice...
    From an old woman?! (I saw your age, well, if YOU're old, where are we going?!).

    ReplyDelete
  67. To be fair, I think there are men who have not aged so well too. But they have our permission to not age well. ;^)

    ReplyDelete
  68. LOL Bettina.
    Coltrane, de rien, mais...pourquoi? :)

    ReplyDelete
  69. You've been so nice to me, worrying

    Parisian Heart > "That blue sky is remarkably clear and gorgeous!" and 100% natural. I took this photo at dusk and did nothing "electronic" to it (Despite the digital look Rose! ~)).


    Lynn "Oh how we worry about our Eric! " - "I am sure you are touched, Eric." I AM touched Lynn. Very.

    Misawa Mama "I am not going to lie, this thing is scary! " LOOOOOL! Yes, a little bit I must say.

    Irredento Urbanita "I have news for you. Trujillo Daily Photo will be shown in a nice exposition soon." Hey congratulations Valery, will show us pics of the exhibit? (BTW, it may also happen to PDP, but shusssh, nothing confirmed yet...)

    M.K. "Those are some huge shoes she has. They look like Dutch wooden shoes." They are!

    Carrie "So glad Eric wasn't having some kind of trouble -- I was worried." That's sweet. I'm touched.

    Lily Hydrangea "We love you, can you tell?" Well, I have that feeling too and you know what? It feels goooood!

    Katie "You say it's huge, but how huge? " Well, See below, Tall Gary found out for us: 3.5 meters (11.5 feet)

    Monica "What a relief to see your new post Eric. We were worried last night, we got so used to you posting by midnight." I know, I know, it was some kind of a shock this morning when I saw the photo was not showing!!

    Coltrane "PARIS...a lot like "PAIRS" (of shoes) if you know what I mean. ;-)" LOL I never thought of that. And some may argue that the word "Pairs" don't always refer to shoes...

    Guille "Eriiiiiiic (cri de groupie)! Voilà, ça y est, ma vie reprend son cours normal. :)" LOOOOOOL! Poor Guille, stuck with her exams and STILL visiting PDP and commenting. How sweet of you.

    PHX "Eric, THIS sculpture looks like it should be the one in front of the children's school, not that ogre bursting out of the building(Photo you posted a few months ago)." True, I thought of it when I was this one. You have a real good memory. So you'll be staying in Paris for a while?

    Petrea "Bon anniversaire, Jean-Baptiste.". Yes! Bon anniversaire Mr Silent observer '(I guess Lois comments for two, doesn't she?! LOL !

    Kelly "Seriously, I went to the site, Eric, and it looks like a marvelous exhibition!" It does, but I have not seen anything else "for real" yet.

    Petrea "I was the first English voice of Ryoko the space pirate. " If we did not know you Petrea, this would really sound odd LOL!

    ALexa "Eric, see what happens when you are unfailingly dependable? One little slip-up and we worry, worry, worry! you're all so nice.

    Gus "I have a little question to you: Why almost never you post a picture about immigrants in Paris or places not to know like "Institut du Mexique" or "Cinema La Latina" or places who show us people from Senegal, Morocco, Tunisie, Australie, New Zealand, Perou, etc. etc ??" Well I have done it a little bit, but not that much, it's true. First of all I avoid to take photos of people (for image rights reason) then I try to come up with "interesting" photos - I'm not saying I succeed all the time! And a photo of Le Cinema Latina, for instance would not really make a good photo. The other day, for instance, I wanted to show "little India" near the Gare du Nord. I never managed to take a good photo so I gave up.
    There are a couple about Africa (this one is my favorite), I like this one of the Institut du Monde Arabe (at that time nobody cared that I posted a photo @ 9:09 am!!) and several about China

    Jeff, Petrea, Bettina "(re: groupies--I think I'm a groupie groupie.)" LOL

    ReplyDelete
  70. Welcome back Bettina.

    Guille and Bettina, In my profession, it is a plus if a woman looks her age. -- Once I was talking to a man in NYC about my artwork and my various shows. He said that he would not back a show of mine because I was too young -- I had not been around long enough. I was about 30 years old. I asked him how did he know my age, and he answered, you don't have any wrinkles around your eyes. I said that I could paint wrinkles around my eyes, I am an artist. He said, no that is cheating. He said, come back in 10 or 20 years. Another time I was at a publishers showing a man my pen and ink drawings. He went in the other room for a moment. I could hear a man in there asking him what he was doing. He said, oh, some kid out there is trying to sell us her artwork. I was about 27 years old. He thought I was about 12, or I was hoping at least 14 years old? My mother said that I would appreciate that some day.

    Christie, I got the bracelet and Surfs Up pendant today in the mail. They are lovely. I think the surf board is really a unique idea. I am going to wear it on my lapel of my linen jacket -- the one that goes with my vintage Hawaiian shirt. They are in the same color scheme, muted reds, oranges, browns, blacks and greys. I think if you made more surf boards (different colors) that I would buy them. I'm a California girl and I go to the beach and Hawaii a lot -- I paint Hawaii.

    ReplyDelete
  71. Lois i had similar experiences with paintings as a younger woman. A few years ago i sold a lot now it's dropped off rather. What does that say? Do i look younger again? Am i over the hill well and truly now? Are there only a magic 3 years in which we can sell our art? It's a mystery, that's for sure.

    Older men, Guille...yes they do look very attractive and grey hair only improves their look. Though, younger men are also attractive....oh for goodness' sake, i like them all! It all depends on how they act, for me. That makes or breaks it for me. Tonight a man friend told me he couldn't ring me later tonight because it would be awkward as his mother would hear. For God's sake, he's not even a boyfriend anyway, he's a friend, but - he's 52! To say this is a turn-off is the understatement of the year. I will be busy washing my hair next time he rings. lol.

    ReplyDelete
  72. 'it would be awkward as his mother would hear'?! Lynn, if he lives to his mother's, he's not 52, he's 20!!
    'I like them all' I have no doubt about it!
    I can't agree for younger men since I'm 22 (hum, almost!) and less than 22 it is unthinkable. Even less than 30 so...LOOL Anyway, you know my point of view. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  73. Ah yes when i was your age, i thought the same way. Of course.
    I know, how incredible is that? He doesn't live with her, but she moves in for half the week with him and does his laundry etc. I can't tell you how far out the door i am! By the way don't mention all this at my blog - he looks in sometimes. More to the point, probably with his mother. LOL !!

    ReplyDelete
  74. LOOOOOL I love your conclusion!!

    I tell you here about 'bourse': balls. Hmhm. I hope nobody will come and read. :S

    I'm a bad teacher for few days. Am really an awful teacher.

    ReplyDelete
  75. Yes, that's it! I am sure you have told me this before. lol.

    Some men are a complete mystery to me. He's shopping with her tomorrow. and on hols with her next week too. You might think it's really another woman he is hiding - yes a natural suspicion in the circumstances but no, it is truly his mother, i know this. Good God. Does it get any worse? he he. Probably.

    ReplyDelete
  76. Probably NOT Lynn. ;)
    Only child I assume...castrating mother (speaking about it!).

    ReplyDelete
  77. Nope not an only child. I've never met the mother. I wonder if anyone ever has dared to before? lol. Oh, oh, my phone's ringing now. Oh dear...i'm expecting a headache... !

    ReplyDelete
  78. She's sort of scary! But I like the colors and perspective.

    ReplyDelete
  79. It must seem strange to you to get a comment so long after the date of posting! But I have to thank you for this beautifully composed photo against the wonderful crépuscule sky. I was in Paris for the first time in 2008 and found them putting up this statue on my first walk down blvd. St. Germain. I was amazed and charmed but my photos were not very good what with people working on the statue, and I never thought of this view from a distance against the wall of ivy. I also didn't see the finished version which I like very much, I don't find her scary, just calmly thoughtful. Bravo, Eric!

    ReplyDelete