Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Children of the world


I'm currently very busy because of my work, but I still try to save some time to make interesting discoveries. Hence these wonderful statues showing "the children of the world" (Naomi the African, Jim the American, Felipe the Mexican [in the foreground in this photo]... - see the 21 of them in this little Animoto video and on the "official blog" made by Rachid Khimoune, a French artist of Berber origins. Really beautiful. Some of you may think I could have showed this earlier, as apparently these statues have been there (in the Bercy area) since... 2001! But I swear, I never saw them before! The other interesting part is that each of these statues has a replica located in its "country of birth". A definite must see if you come to Paris.

48 comments:

  1. I wonder what children's games are popular in different countries. I bring this up because these "Children of the World" look like they would be fun to play with.

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  2. Eh ce sont les statues juste au dessus du parc, avant le pont non? Elles sont très étranges, limite inquiétantes. Mais je les adore!

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  3. Tall G, I wrote in French to be first, it didn't work. LOL
    Well done GF! (grrrr!)

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  4. Hide and Seek and Freeze Tag were two of my favorites.

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  5. And you pretty much knew what they were, too, Guille. I had to check out Eric's video to get some idea of them. It's just good timing, though. Luck only, no skill involved.

    Second place doesn't make it, does it, Guille? Please accept my commiserations. I heard that the silver medal in the Olympics is the worst. "Just a little more and I could have won," competitors think (it is said). But bronze medalists are often glad because just a little less and they would never have won a medal at all.

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  6. I'll take the bronze. It goes with my hair.

    It took 7 years for Eric to find this treat - what prize does that get? Booby?

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  7. Tall G ;) okay, it's better than nothing. Anyway I prefer silver to gold. Bad loser, me?

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  8. Great pictures, very nice video and also a great idea, that link between Paris and all those cities around the world through the statues.

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  9. Cool statues - they look gigantic. I wonder how tall they are. Great video, too, Eric! Thanks!

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  10. I wonder why the Arab one was made to look so much like a mummy - I understand the nation's standard of dress is being reflected - I'm just saying that the statue looks so hunched over and sad while the others seem to be colorful and full of joy. Is he making a political statement? Religious? I prefer to think of children separately from their country's politics and religious pressures. Maybe I should offer to paint it for him. Add a flower in hand or puppy at her feet.

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  11. OK, I get it now, sort of.

    Translated from the site: "In the tradition of Islamic art, figuration is prohibited."

    Would a simple flower disrespect that? I'm not trying to be sarcastic at all. I'd truly like to know.

    I want to hug this statue so badly.

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  12. You know, I've been meaning to check out this "coulée verte" eversince I saw Before Sunset but I never seem to find the time when I'm in Paris! I think you're right, this looks like a must see! Thank you for this tip!

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  13. Eric, I think this one is green with envy because you have photographed him so late.

    Tall Gary: Ghost in the Graveyard (in the town cemetery), SPUD, and Capture the Flag were our neighborhood favorites!

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  14. We loved playing Capture the Flag at camp, (I was always the one captured to tell everyone else where the flag was), and of course Tag in all its variations. My kids love to play pretending games where they are people from another time period. Dressing up is encouraged and I love to see the creative things they come up with!

    Thanks for sharing these, Eric!

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  15. Eric, this is too cool. I like the US statue of the Native American. Well, to celebrate "the children of the world" statues I thought I'd feature my 19month old Eloisa beating the skins in my profile! Tired of looking at my mug anyway. She's no Sheila E but she does love to smack'em! PARADIDDLE PARADIDDLE PARADIDDLE PARADIDDLE...

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  16. Eric, since I started doing this myself (and in NO way as well as you do it), I appreciate even more how hard it is especially when you're busy at work -- let me tell you again how much it's appreciated, by me (and I'm sure by all the rest of us faithful PDP-ers). I look forward to your post every day!

    tall gary -- way to go, 2 times in a row (an official PDP GF poeme).

    Anyone else old enough to remember Red Light, Green Light (my chilhood fave)?

    Suzy: I'm with you. With all due respect for everyone's religious beliefs and observances (truly), the depiction of the Arab child makes me sad for her (I'm assuming it's a her but pretty sure I'm right.)

    coltrane -- Eloisa is a star in the making, for sure! (she's adorable, and talented, no doubt).

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  17. Coltrane, Eloisa looks just adorable. It is great that you encourage her artistic genious.

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  18. Eric, that is a beautiful and sensitive video that you created -- touching. merci

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  19. Yes, Alexa! I forgot that one!
    And "Mother May I" too!

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  20. Lois...Alexa...Merci, two of the hardest things I've found so far in helping "E" on the kit is dropping it low enough and then finding a seat small enough for her to sit at and reach the bass pedal while still being able to hit the toms and such. She really loves the cowbell more than anything though, and I'm looking for one of those "More Cowbell" SNL tshirts in her size. :-)

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  21. Eric I believe I am speaking for most of us regulars who frequent this site when I say you can show me Paris in any order you like. Whether something is around 7 years or 7 days, you always have something interesting posted here, this one being especially intriguing. Cool video.Merci!

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  22. Fun photo -- I like the materials used for these sculptures. Neat video of all the different kids too!

    I remember Red Light/Green Light! I also liked Red Rover, and since I spent a lot of time at the pool, I was a big fan of Marco Polo. Do kids in other countries know any of these games I wonder?

    Lois what a hoot that you're using that new photo! I especially like that you didn't know I was taking that one.

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  23. really ...funny ..they are as big as you ..

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  24. Well said, lily hydrangea. Eric, you just take your time.

    The video is great, you guys, if you haven't seen it.

    Hide and seek. In the dark. On a summer night. Can't beat it.

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  25. "Red Rover, Red Rover, send TG right over!"

    Suzy, I understand what you mean about the Arabic girl. What a sweet, sensitive heart you have. It would be interesting to know how those she represents would perceive her.

    Lily, I am in full agreement! I always appreciate what Eric shares whenever he chooses and finds the opportunity to share it.

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  26. On my way, Parisian Heart.

    Must concur on the treasures Eric provides us and our concomitant gratitude.

    Coltrane, she may not be Sheila E, yet, but at least "E" has a chance, unlike those of us who began to learn a music instrument after they were way too far into adulthood.

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  27. C'est magnifique Eric! Children of the world, I love this idea of a link through them wherever they were born.
    I wish I could go there with my children.... but it won't be before next September. Because they will be out of Paris during the two coming months. Summer vacation!! Lucky they are!! And me too because I will have more time to enjoy PDP!!! ;)

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  28. Thanks Erik. I was in this place with my husband at the end of last month. I look your photos every day and it's nice to see places where I have been. Thanks you I can enjoy seeing Paris again.
    Marja Finland

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  29. Coltrane, I just took a closer look at that picture of your daughter. Oh my goodness, she is tooooo cute!!!

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  30. These sculptures are beautiful and the video is great. I love the idea that they all have a brother or sister in their native country, that's really cool.
    I'll definitely go and see these in July when I'm back in Paris.

    Coltrane your daughter is SO sweet. Tell her she's famous on PDP now.

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  31. Tomate; I was just thinking about what you said about "Before Sunset". Do you mean this is the place(Parc de Bercy) they take a walk ? I always figured that it has to be in Jardin Des Plantes they take a walk. It's one of my favourite movies, so we have to sort this out LOL :)

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  32. Gumby ???

    Very cool idea, only wish I could see them in person.... hmmmm

    Thanks for sharing!

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  33. Misawa mama: I was thinking scarecrow.

    Coltrane: your daughter is adorable. She leads a "Glamorous Life" indeed.

    Eric: it is great that there are new things for you to discover and then share with us. It means PDP will continue that much longer. Selfish, me? (Inspired by Guille)

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  34. "Metropolis" ran a story about the mayor of Paris and his approach to new development and including the needs of different types of people in the thinking of public projects, and other issues. The newer parks/green spaces was discussed. This public art seems to fit in with the philosophy.

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  35. Here is a link to the story:

    http://www.metropolismag.com/cda/story.php?artid=3399

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  36. Ca c'est incroyable, parce que j'ai découvert ces statues précisément mardi dernier au cours d'une ballade menée entre la Bnf et le parc de Bercy pour voir la Boudeuse et passer sur la passerelle Simone de Beauvoir.
    J'ai beaucoup aimé ces statues dont j'ignorais l'existence et j'en ai pris quelques unes en photo aussi. ;-))

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  37. Thanks alexa and parisian heart. Hugs to both of you.

    As an aside, I adore Eric with the heat of 1000 suns and I would hope that by now he knows that I appreciate any glimpse of Paris he gives me any time of day he gives it to me, no matter how current a view it may be, and no matter what I may or may not say about it (save maybe the hanging rats). I don't need subtle reminders to appreciate Eric.

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  38. I should be packing now, so just a quickie to say I bagged 3 pr. of shoes that I don't need.Vini vedi vinci!!!!!
    Got pictures of the Metro men out in force today at the Chausse d'Atin--sorry for the spelling--metro stop where galerie L. is. They were checking to see if your tkt was valid as you left the metro. They got me a few yrs. ago when I threw away my ticket before exiting, and my "I don't know NOTHING" attitude and American speak got me thru. I ALWAYS keep my tkt on me now.ALWAYS.

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  39. Misawa Mama and Lynnie, LOL Perfectly Funny! A BIG scary Gumby!!! I knew I had seen him before -- I just couldn't put my finger on it.

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  40. PHX CDG I hope that you found some nice and cheap clothes for the first day of sales! I also hope that you were kind with the cashiers. I lived almost the worse day of my life behing my own till!

    Girls, "gumby"? :S

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  41. Here's Gumby, Guille.

    I admit I thought the statues were kind of scary, too. Now I know why. Gumby. Some people loved him (cartoon when some of us were very young). Some of us (guess who?) thought he was icky.

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  42. I saw a Gumby and Pokey clayimation last night on TV on one of those art stations. They show vintage film clips really late at night. Coincidence.

    Guille, you "lived almost the worst day of your life"? I'm curious - what happened?

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  43. Phx, 'I bagged 3 pr. of shoes that I don't need' LOL!! Anyway, isn't that the principle of sales to buy cheaper clothes that you don't need???
    Yes Guille, tell us what happened? Was it because of the crowd a first day of sales or because of unusual unfriendly Parisians??
    Dodo pour moi maintenant. Bon post Eric!;)

    NB : Plus je la regarde, plus je trouve terriblement attachante cette tête de statue toute verte! Encore un excellent choix...

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  44. Nothing special happened, alas! The same old crowd, the same old noise, the same old women fighting for pants. People are just awful during the sales. But I do this job for years and I'm used to be very polite and perfectly irreproachable even toward the worst idiots. Hehe.

    Nite nite.
    t-t-t-t Eric...sooo late. ;)

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  45. I find the project such a sweet idea, especially because of the replica in other countries. Nice.

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  46. Women fighting for pants? Just what goes on in your shops? lol!

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