I debated on whether or not to show you this photo or not. For me, it's a bit cliché of many Paris photographs, but I really liked the way it turned out. Of course, it is of the architecture at the Centre Pompidou. People usually say that they really love it or hate it. Me, I personally am in between. Ok, I contradicted myself, but what do you think?
Yes it's a bit cliché but you live there. For those who don't, it's something interesting that has that feeling of "oh, I know what that is! I've seen this before!". We need a mix of those.
ReplyDeleteI like the vantage point that you took - makes it fresh. From this point, it looks like a boat with its tree chimneys. Great job!!
I am not a huge fan of this building, but I LOVE the perspective of this shot! It's a great one, Eric!
ReplyDeleteLast time I was here, every exhibit we wanted to see was closed - very disappointing. Instead we took a picture in front of a display of a donkey standing inside of a boat... Some things inside are tres bizarre!!
Definately a good perspective. At first glance the tubes or whatever reminded me of a waterpark.
ReplyDeleteI used to go to the library at the Pompidou when I was doing research for papers. I always thought it was a neat building, but I don't get the modern art that they exhibit there.
ReplyDeleteEliane, I totally agree...ship smokestacks come to mind. Alllllll Abooaaaaarrrrrddddd!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of an innovative architecture like this, but I'm not in love with this building though.
ReplyDeleteI guess I like to see creativity around, but my personal style is more classical.
So maybe I'm in between like you Eric!
I think the Centre Pompidou is one of the ugliest building I have ever seen in my entire life. I love this photo which proves Eric finds beauty in the strangest places. Visit Johnnysarc. I have some interesting stuff there as of late. Johnny
ReplyDeleteI frankly never found the Pompidou Center particularly attractive. I remember vividly the outrage of my godmother, who had lived her entire life in Paris, when it was built. Basically, it's a huge eyesore in a very historical neighborhood. I have been inside of it only a couple of times. I am not a huge fan of very modern art.
ReplyDeleteBut - that photo, Eric, is really cool.
I remember when they were building it and everyone was complaining about the design and how it shouldn't be there...on and on. After it was built they were still complaining..same as with the Tower at Montparnasse.
ReplyDeleteOver the years I have really sort fallen in love with this building and the entire Place Beaubourg around it...great area to sit and think, lot's of good people watching. Urban "Modern" Paris in a more convivial way[as opposed to La Defense]with a really close proximity to the "Old" Paris. I especially like taking the escalator to the top and the wonderful[for the view]restaurant on the roof.
There is also a painting I love there of a woman writer[from the thirties]wearing large round glasses and smoking..it is rather strange, but visually unforgettable though I can't remember the name of the artist or the writer at this moment. Maybe another less "foggy brained" PDPer can help?? LOL!
Really like the shot. Nothing wrong with showing the familiar from time to time, especially an original take!
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ReplyDeleteWayne Trimel is disgusting and so is his advertisement. He should be ashamed of himself for blighting my favorite blogspot.
ReplyDeleteAdvertisement erased Johnny!
ReplyDeleteWell, since you asked ;)
ReplyDeleteYou know, I have mixed feelings about Beaubourg.
I once heard an American Expat say "Beaubourg doesn't belong in Paris, it belongs in Legoland!" and for the longest time I admit I felt the same way.
But I guess, over the years, it's grown on me a little bit, because I also do like the modern / industrial /geeky look. It's just that you always wonder where these things should be built. Surely, they could have put something that blends better with the area, no? Is one of the oldest areas of Paris the best place for something like that? Do we really need to mix the ultra modern with the ancient? That, I think, is what shocked the Parisians (same thing with Tour Montparnasse) more than anything. I suppose if they had put Beaubourg in La Defense (which by the way has improved dramatically over the last 20 years!), not very many people would have objected...
I do like the "transparent" stairs climbing on the side of the building, giving you the best unobstructed view on the roofs of Paris.
I'm not a big fan of the choice of colors on the back of the building though, I find it a little bright for that area and a little bit in contrast with the glass and metal statement on the front.
Last, since we're on the subject, I'm not a real big fan of the whole "scene" around the building, either, but that's OK, I suppose, Sarko is probably gonna take a Karcher to that eventually. Ahem.
Oh, and don't even get me started on the Colonnes de Buren! ;)
Tomate, I think I know what you mean about the Colonnes de Buren at Palais Royal. But I can't help finding them "amusing"!
ReplyDeleteTomate, I am amazed at how much we think alike. Eric, Thanks for disposing of the Trimel Trash. Monica, I find the colonnes a waste of space.
ReplyDeleteI can understand the people who don't like Richard Rogers, but after intial uncertainty (many years ago) I love the building and especially the concept of keeping the services outside and using all the space inside.
ReplyDeleteNot all modern buiding is good, but I think this (and Lloyds in London, which is similar in its way) is exciting and still fresh many years later.
Johnny I had never thought of that but I guess you're right. That space could have been used for something much more beautiful and appealing (or even useful!).
ReplyDeleteI like it because it is of a time.
ReplyDeleteI was kissed right outside this building by a street entertainer. Hahaha!
ReplyDeleteIt took me a long time to figure out how I felt about the modern art I found here and there amongst all the lovely OLD of Paris because the OLD is what we have so little of here in the U.S. However, I've come to the conclusion that I mostly like it because a) the contrast brings energy to the environment, or the photo and b) because art should never be stagnant. Enjoy what is but keep creating something new. One of my favorite photos from my visit to Paris is a very old line of rowhouses in the background with these pipes (didn't know what they were called before, thanks) in front of them.
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