Flora in Paris

Spring arrived and we love to walk in Paris to enjoy the history present everywhere.  Strolling from a visit in the Musee d'Orsay over the bridge Pont Royal we came to the the Louvre and its Pavillon de Flore.  While waiting for the traffic light to turn we looked up on the facade and there recognized the 'Flora'  relief by Carpeaux.  

There she is, the goddess who represents flowers and Spring and above her the date of the renovation of the pavilion. This was 1861 initiated by Napoleon III and sculptor Carpeaux, most popular then was chosen for the sculptural decorations.  In Musee d'O we just admired the artist's model of this Flora!   Interesting to compare now the execution from model to the actual decoration on the pavilion.

Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux (1827-1875)  is seen as the precursor of Rodin (who is more known to us).  That may change because there is a retrospective exhibition of Carpeaux's pieces in New York:

http://www.metmuseum.org/about-the-museum/press-room/exhibitions/2014/carpeaux

Culture shopping

Directing our steps to the entrance of the Louvre (under the inverted pyramid) we were distracted by a glittering lit gallery with pop art to our right. PRINTEMPS du Louvre newly opened! A flyer describes the space as  "designed to be a refined and elegant store, it combines majestic volume and noble materials such as the Burgundy stone which is in complete harmony with the carousel du Louvre". Ergo - designed to have the experience of culture shopping.  (Would Thoreau have understood?)

http://departmentstoreparis.printemps.com/news/w/Printemps-Louvre-35069

Open every day from 10 am to 8 pm, Chinese and English speaking French staff, free wi-fi, changing art exhibitions and a promise that the 26.910 square feet are 'entirely dedicated to luxury'. Perhaps in competition with the Louvre??

En plus, one can get a 12 % tax refund with the automatic self-service tax refund machines….

(Thoreau may have liked that!)

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It was Wednesday and the Louvre closes at 10 pm.  We therefore did not miss to see the 'Treasury of St. Maurice's Abbey' a newly installed exhibition.  Luxury from another time…..

http://www.hotellouvremarsollier.com/blog/precious-jewels-from-saint-maurices-abbey-now-at-the-louvre/

Thoreau in my thoughts

"The rule is to carry as little as possible" Thoreau wrote in his Journal on July 22, 1857.

I pack a carry-on and realize it is not enough and have to add a suitcase for check in. My excuses are, that it is winter and we live in a different time and I have presents to pack…..

But I promise Henry to get better in regard to all the 'stuff' in our house.  Looking at his idea of interior decorating I may change my mind and keep just 'some of the stuff'.  We may need it!

In the meantime I will follow his blog and may find other useful ideas:

http://blogthoreau.blogspot.com/

Sculpture Park

After long stretches of freezing cold in Massachusetts the temperatures are now rising and will stay above 32 Fahrenheit  for the next days! Before the white stuff is gone we wanted to see the large installation on the ground of the DeCordova Museum in Lexington.  Its basic colors are now more intense and the undulating lines enhanced.  When we visit the next time, the ground will be green and nature will have change the appearance which is anticipated by the artist Orly Genger

On the frozen snow we glided and slipped around but enjoyed the form changing from each different angle.  Lesson learned: just change your view and things look differently!

http://www.decordova.org/art/exhibition/red-yellow-and-blue

At the end of our walk on the slopes I discovered this inviting bed sculpture

by Ken Landauer. Still in jet lag, I could have stretched out and become part of the installation!