Yesterday my Italian and I spent a hot summer day surrounded by lights and optical illusions at the Grand Palais. Light and motion in 20th Century art. What a unique and dynamic expo, aptly named Dynamo. Needless to say, we left illuminated! Following are some of those enlightened moments…
For those in Paris, hurry, last day is July 22nd!
Recently I attended the opening of the Roy Lichtenstein retrospective at the Pompidou. How could I resist a major American artist from the Pop Art era? Though little did I know the breadth of his artistic skill until I walked through the galleries exhibiting his over 100 works. Many pieces were not allowed to be photographed, but I did my best to curate my own mini Lichtenstein exhibit for those who aren’t able to make it, or to entice those who can, to go. Capturing both his sculptures and his paintings, well beyond the world of Pop. Well worth the visit into the mind and life of an artist.
“I want my painting to look as if it has been programmed. I want to hide the record of my hand.”
“The subjects aren’t what holds my interest.”
“Brushtrokes are almost a symbol of art.”
“I’ve always wanted to make up someone as a cartoon.”
Exhibition runs now until November 4th.
Every first Sunday of the month, Paris art aficionados receive a gift from the city. Many museums and cultural institutions in and around Paris are open, free of charge. Though I believe art should be free and museums should admit their patrons by donation only. On such a recent Sunday, the sun was shining over bright blue skies, and there was no way not to enjoy it, in the company of art. We chose one of my favorites, the ‘progenitor of modern sculpture’, Auguste Rodin.
Musée Rodin reveals one of the most spectacular gardens in Paris, home of The Thinker.
Sculptures amidst trees, strewn in the late afternoon sunshine.
The Gates of Hell, one of Rodin’s most notable sculptures.
I sat by the lake and thought of the life Rodin must have led, and what inspired him to create.
Perhaps withing this regal structure I will find the answers.
These days as the sun sets early and the cold air settles in, I’m busying myself with designing. New Kasia Dietz handbags in the works! The question is, where does this inspiration come from? In a word: art. The sole reason I started my business. And aside from travel, my great love. As I did in NYC, here in Paris I spend as much time as I can carousing galleries and museums, even just stopping in the Pompidou, or in NYC, the MoMA, or in London, the Tate Modern, to visit my favorites. Paul Klee, Mark Rothko, Franz Klein, to name a few. It is these great artists that inspire me in my own, wearable art. Who says art and fashion can’t mix?
I recently featured the master Paul Klee on a guest post for THATlou.
Mark Rothko’s compositions will always bring me simple and natural bliss.
Franz Klein has a way of creating calm out of chaos. Minimalism at its best.
Stay tuned for Spring 2013, new collections of handbags influenced by abstract expressionism.
As much as I enjoy frequent visits to local galleries and museums, some of the most unique and interesting art can be found walking along the city’s streets. Even the street art in Paris appears to be inspired by the romanticism of the city, at least in my eyes. There’s one artist in particular who I admire and have been following, whose work appears on numerous facades all around the city. Illustrations that come to life, and always make me stop to look. His name is Fred le Chevalier.
“Doing street art is a way to talk with everybody, not just with a specific audience.”
“They come from my feelings. I identify myself with most of the characters.”
“I try to do things that are optimistic.”
“What I like about my work is that people can create their own meaning.”
“I like mixing poetry with street art.”
“My characters never are adult or child, man or woman, it’s always a mix.”
Fred le Chevalier began posting his work in the Marais, where he is most familiar, and has since reached walls all around the city, numbering two to three thousand posted pieces in the last 3 years. He is gaining fame internationally and has begun exhibiting in galleries. I’m certain this is just the beginning. I for one, will continue to follow his poetic imaginings all around the gallery called Paris.
To learn more about Fred le Chevalier here is an interview, his blog and facebook page.
Every year the space within the Grand Palais becomes transformed by a select artist. To date, Anselm Kiefer (2007), Richard Serra (2008), Christian Boltanski (2010), Anish Kapoor (2011) and this year Daniel Buren. Considering that I’m a big fan of his columns at the Palais Royale, I wasn’t going to miss this! At first glance, the colorful circles impress by their sheer number… and colors.
It’s not until you look up, catching the light and mix of colors, that you really become mesmerized.
The view from above presents a completely varied and reflective experience.
Whether chasing light from below or admiring the view from above, I was impressed. As were the many wide-eyed children and enthusiastic adults surrounding me. A perfect refuge from gray skies.
Grand expo ending June 21st. Whose playground will it become next year?