Wednesday, November 19, 2008

The aesthetics of politics...


"Capitalism allows the rich to decide for you. Act now!" is basically what this message says. You won't be surprised if I tell you I photographed this on the window of one of the local offices of the French Communist Party, which, even if it is in bad condition, is still alive (unlike the other communist parties in Europe, the French one never changed its name). I know the political message behind all this is probably the most important(!), but I was mostly attracted to the aesthetics of the scene... [Sorry for the late posting, my fault!]

29 comments:

  1. Very interesting photo Eric!! With all the global financial problems at the present, resisting Capitalism might be the latest craze!

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  2. Mon Dieu!! Am I really the first to post??? How did this happen??!! I have been dreaming of this for years now!! Well...not really, but I am getting a kick out of it!! Blame it on working late and always being curious about my favorite blog!! I click, therefore I AM!!

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  3. Yes you are! Enjoy your crown or something. ;)

    Good morning, Eric! Good to see you! Have a good day :)

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  4. Hey Tonton GF -- enjoy the crown -- perhaps you can reinforce your surprise at having it by putting little communist stickers on it!!

    I love the aesthetic here, Eric; very nicely done. As I walk around Paris looking for photo ops, I realize how this must be a really long experiment in visual attention for you. I can't imagine it going on for years as it has for you. Has it changed how you see, etc?

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  5. Tonton, how fortunate! I think the city must get more and more fascinating for you, Eric. Not less. This is what's happening to me as I photograph my town. I find more to see, if that makes sense.

    Carrie, I'm loving your comment posts about your days in Paris. I hope Eric doesn't mind. It's thrilling to visit vicariously through you.

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  6. With the financial scene as it is, is there a choice?
    The aesthetics are great Eric, I agree. Love the textures between the montage effect and the brickwork behind.

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  7. Eric, I'm so happy that you finally openly express your crypto-communist convictions. I knew you couln't really be that bad !

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  8. Yes, extremely aesthetically pleasing. And really quite exciting, too. (Nice new portrait shot.)

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  9. Hey I think I should get a billboard too - I've just realised, on 25th (Tues) I shall have been part of Eric's DP family for 2 years! he he. Ah, what a lovely family it is too Eric x

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  10. In the end, politicians have come together to save ... to the financial system: banks. But what about the workers? If we can not pay the mortgage on our house, the bank will help us to do? Because the states are helping the banks that have debts.
    We elect our leaders to protect us. We don't choose to heads of banks.

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  11. I love this word. Well, nothing to see with politics...
    It's more personal, something like a proof you are alive, looking for your happiness everywhere. Or maybe is it a tip given to all of us? Anyway, thanks for this late but great post. So much of work.

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  12. murciadailyphoto - don't forget about the bailing out of the car companies. My little company could use a little cash, too! I'm trying to focus on the idea of saving the jobs of the workers of these big companies, and the taxes they pay. It helps to humanize it a bit.

    I love when you take these highly urban scene photos, Eric. Good catch.

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  13. Congrats on GF Tonton! I will have to check out when the GF First anniversary should be celebrated, but |i think it is coming up soon! It IS fun to win a contest played world wide!!!!!

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  14. RÉSIIIIIIIIISTE !
    PROUUUUUUUVE QUE TU EXIIIIIIIIISTES !

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  15. Nasty gg, aren't those lyrics to a song?

    What a cute little pink piggy bank in the upper left corner.

    The comments of yesterday took on sexual overtones that made me wonder, what if anything, Eric was going to say to all of that. After noticing at 5 am Paris time, that Eric still had not posted anything, I was reminicing how Eric posts political comments from time to time that always cause a lot of discussion, however, not sexual.

    ahum,
    Wealth is not the cause of corruption in government. In other words, I do not believe "money is the root of all evil". Stalin and Ho Chi Minh during their lives were among the richest men in the world. They were nominated by people committed to ideas. All leaders, polital parties, governments, and otherwise, since the dawn of man have been committed to transfering more and more wealth and power to themselves. That's my 2¢

    Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others. Groucho Marx

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  16. On the other hand, ET Suzie, you could argue that the unions may have help bring these auto manufacturing companies to their knees, that the products they put out are not as competitive as they should in the world market, that the tax payers cannot be made to support every freaking company having trouble ...

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  17. GG lutte finale should be coming out any minute now ;)

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  18. Oh I totally agree with you, tomate farcie. I'm just choosing not to think about it!

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  19. "Eric, I'm so happy that you finally openly express your crypto-communist convictions. I knew you couln't really be that bad !"

    LOOOOOOOL Nasty GG I love your comment. I'm sure you're right. It was time to confess!

    The PC ads are often gaudy (bold letters, red and yellow, exclamations), and actually most of the time they catch my attention.
    I receive at least 2 or 3 communist tracts a day at University (Well, that's Nanterre!)...it makes me smile, but in a nice way.

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  20. Is no one socialist anymore? Communist or Capaitalist, but what of(me) Socialist. My partner being the BBC's Political cartoonist I get to see Politicians, of every persuassion humiliated in pen and ink on a daily basis in my living room. I like both the bold statement and the bold colours. Eye catching in everyway.

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  21. Ahhhh..."lutte finale" I knew that was you!! "Crypto-Communist Convictions"!!! LOL!!! That's a mouthful!

    Wearing the crown has been fun..I almost didn't want to remove it to take a shower! ;-)

    lois: I believe it is "The Love of Money is the Root of All Evil"...not just money itself.

    In America there is "Socialism for the Rich and Free Enterprise for the Poor"!!! Do you think maybe we should just forward all of our Credit Card Bills to Mr. Paulson and ask him to "Bail Us Out"??? What a bunch of BALONEY!!!

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  22. Babooska, I would love to see your partner's work! Are they the ones on Barker Bites Back?

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  23. Merci PDP King Tonton Flaneur. "The Love of Money is the Root of All Evil". Yeah, I don't believe that one either.

    I love shells though. Wampum shells were used by the American Indian as money. The Indians use to collect the wampum on the beach. How easy is that? And they say money doesn't grow on trees.

    babooshka, "BBC's Political cartoonist" That sounds fun!

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  24. I have a large lapel pin with Lois' Groucho Marx quote. I love it.

    When it comes to capitalism, communism, etc., each has its good and bad elements. Just remember: no absolute statement is correct. :)

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  25. Congrats to you, Tonton!
    Enjoyed this colorfully graphic shot, and everyone's (thoughtful, as always) comments, but may I just add: Eric -- Must admit, I was a bit worried about you! (the mom in me, no doubt)

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  26. Eiffel Tower Suzy - yes that's him barker bites back. Lois - It's his therapy. He's the artist I'm the photographer. I think Eric was secretly ok and just reading the converstaions that had a fruity feel whislt deciding on the image.

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  27. Eric, the above comment about being visually in tune with what is around you is so interesting. I would love to know if that is the case for you. Today's photo is an example. 99.9% of the people in Paris just walk right on by, but you stop, notice it, then take a picture to share with all of us. Thank you for your commitment to this blog and to us as well!

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