Paris Favoritz – Page 2 – The Paris Savannah Connection

Tao … not Zen

There is an impressive exhibit at the Grand Palais entitled “La Voie du Tao” which draws a very contemplative, respectful and rather silent public. No crowds, no noise. As though the exhibit itself was what we imagine as Zen.

The entrance ticket. Tao?

Buttons … 2000 years of them!

Sculpture … painting … photographs … artifacts … furniture and fashion all find their way into museums and exhibits.

Mona Bismarck was a countess who created a Foundation in her Parisian mansion located on the Avenue de New York. And right now, there is a very off-the-beaten-track exhibit entitled “Buttons: an artistic phenomenon, historical and cultural.” Hats off to Loïc Allio, collector and artist whose passion is shared by artists and historians … and who will delight you with his stories … in English or in French.

You are the Countess’ guest. No admission charge.

Inside …

there are thousands of these. All shapes, sizes, colors, materials, designs, ages.

dating from ancient history to modern fashion design. A must.

Buttoning and unbuttoning: a subject for another day!

Favoritz: a moment in the Luco

au Luco last Sunday at about 7.

Favoritz: Tampopo

Apparently, “tampopo” (that’s to say the Japanese pronunciation of this word) means “dandelion” or in French, “pissenlit.”

Japanese restaurant where the staff is Japanese. Call for reservations: 01 47 27 74 52. Speak slowly and very clearly. For simplicity, you might want to reserve with well-known names like “Carla” or “Yoko.” Pour deux – Two, please. One o’clock. Treize heures.

Excellent timely service … not fast food.

66 rue Lauriston 75116 Paris

About dandelions, suburban American culture tends to demonize this delicious plant and its pretty yellow flowers as a weed. However, green dandelion leaves are just a little bitter but crispy and are eaten in France as a treat. Wild salad. Of course, the French eat all sorts of things, n’est-ce pas?

Copie Conforme = The Original or A Copy?

A brilliant movie … even if the simple is complex here … or vice versa. Or the original is a copy of an original.

If you don’t like mental gymnastics, this is definitely NOT for you. BUT if you enjoy incredibly good acting as well as the charm, wit and emotional soul of Juliette Binoche speaking English, French and Italian fluently … you can’t possibly be disappointed.

((**** Congratulations, Ms. Binoche! Just heard the news! Palme d’Or for Best Actress in Copie Conforme. You deserve it!! ***** Brava!!))

Set in an authentic Tuscan setting, you feel there. It makes you want to be there. Beautifully filmed.

This may appear to be on the fringe of our reality. But it is someone’s reality. And movingly so. Even if … it is a fictional reality. Get it? You don’t? Don’t worry. Art can take time to get to you. The difference between “The” and “A” …

Here’s a posting in English from THE NYT . If you look at the right side of the screen, there is an audio of Juliette Binoche talking about this incredible film experience. She lets you in on the secrets of this masterpiece.

a double bill with kiarostami.

At the Balzac.

on rue Balzac (as in Honoré de ) just off the …

Favoritz: le thé japonais à Paris

Now here’s one rare place for Japanese tea in Paris.

You might need to reserve. And for the site, you might need to read French, or failing that, Japanese. Though there are some nice pictures and the prices are in euros.

a walk along the Seine

While A. was walking down to the river from the Mirabeau bridge on this cool May day,

there were a few people getting their morning air

together or alone

Admittedly, there’s less traffic down here … than up there …

but as this one was heading under one of the 22 bridges crossing the Seine, Arnoul was focusing on detail

and shapes and textures

here’s a still life

or perspectives … as he patiently waited for the metro to cross the Bir Hakeim Bridge

which it finally did

sometimes I imagined we were far away

but then, if you walked just a little further and raised your eyes, you’d see what some architects imagined long before we were born

You know what happened on this bridge? It’s written right here

The links of friendship and solidarity and shared values persist- they were cast in bronze and shared

so that we could walk along the Seine on a Sunday morning and then share these pictures !

PS.

Once we’re walked up the stairs

and had a marvelous view from that bridge

Once he got to the other side of the bridge, Arnoul shot this one

I think he likes this place where cats probably hang out at night.

Then as we walked, we talked about where we were November 22nd, 1963

The Kennedys loved France and France loved the Kennedys.

This is the story of our Sunday morning “Photo Hunt”

Museum Night

“La Nuit des Musées” in English and in French. Tonight’s the night!

Eleanor Bearsdley on NPR: Audio Report Impressionism in Normandy

From NPR (National Public Radio) by Eleanor Beardsley May 6, 2010

Normandy is considered the birthplace of the 19th century impressionist movement. And from now through the summer, French cities and towns across the region are celebrating the impressionists in a series of activities including art exhibits and concerts.

Read and Listen!