Carroll Bryant: Democrats Versus Pedophiles

Carroll Bryant: Democrats Versus Pedophiles

HOW NOW MAO COW?

Or "Blue Mao Marilyn Cow"
Or "Marilyn Mao Moo", or
"Why didn't they make the images of Jackie, Liz, Jesus or Nixon into magnets?"

Especially the Nixon one as it was an image of him with the words "vote McGovern" scrawled across the bottom, on paper, attached with tape. I totally would have spent three euro fifty for that magnet. The chuckle upon seeing it was worth 3.5...maybe even worth the 11 euro entrance fee to see the entire Warhol exhibit yesterday at Galeries Nationales du Grand Palais.

When I decided to head over there I didn't realize it was opening day for the exhibit. There were 3 lines to get in: the very important, mostly well-dressed or at least artistically thrown together and not very recently washed because we important artists hardly have time for that we are so busy creating new works which will change society as we know it; the slightly less important but dramatically less well-dressed (animal print capris with matching trim on jacket?--ugh); and then the rest of us (personnes sans billet) who didn't think to purchase museum memberships with our inheritance, nor make a ticket rez in advance, nor even plan an artistic outfit...hence my walkable shoes, jeans, and zip-up cardigan. But I felt mostly secure in my sensible shoes as I watched many a gal hobble past on 4 inch stillettos, smoking and looking hungry.

THANK GOD Andy's parents had the foresight to settle in America as the fact he was American is the only reason I can figure the exhibit explanations were in French and English (somewhat smaller font lest we forget the pre-eminence of the french language). Did you know he was shot by someone (maybe in the 1980's) and barely survived? Me neither. He also considered himself a commercial artist. Which I take to mean he didn't mind making big bucks and wasn't apologetic about it. It reminded me of something I recently read about Paul McCartney and John Lennon. I can not come close to quoting it but the gist was Paul saying they were not just idealists, they used to say things to one another like "let's write ourselves a new swimming pool."

I have to figure seeing the exhibit as an American is somewhat different than from other cultural perspectives...just makes sense. Because really, how many French people, or other nationalities, would look at the Nixon piece and get the joke? Certainly no one under 30 (40?)...for that matter Americans under a certain age probably don't get it. But then getting the insider nuances doesn't mean people everywhere won't enjoy the work. Based on the time I waited in line and the amount of english I heard spoken while there, being American is by no means required.

So ya, did the Warhol, got the magnets.

My Preciouses!

Inspiration! My newest passion is creating images by cutting up thrift store sweaters and stitching pieces together. I wish it was an original idea but I have few of those. Recently while visiting Holly I saw some fab pieces in a local shop--I even bought one to support the artist! And it started the creative juices flowing, so i had to rush out to a local thrift store to find various colored sweaters, then dig into them with scissors and thread. When I arrived back here in Oakland (still on hiatus from Paris) I began using my sewing machine as well. The nest piece is all machine stitched, and the tree pieces are currently hand done (basted) but I plan to go over them on the machine as well so they will be more durable.

Images from my 3+ hour walk today.

The Jardin des Plantes in the 5eme arrondissement.

Signs, signs, everywhere are signs....

Public Art

Windows and reflections from today's walk.

Pink!

From a walk today...even the graffiti in Paris is elegant!

A Cold Drink of Water in a Dry Land
On Sunday we had a refreshing visit from new friends Shelley, Doug and Michon Pagitt. Well, it was refreshing for us, somewhat exhausting for them as they had just arrived from the US and were seriously sleep deprived. So of course we proceeded to take them on an hours-long walking tour of Paris!--"you WILL stay awake and talk to us, you will, you will!" Their time in Paris was just 24 hours so the best had to be made of it. On our way to Notre Dame we stopped at St. Sulpice. After Notre Dame a rest and a cafe' avec du lait were in order. It was timed rather perfectly as a rain shower occurred while we were sitting having our coffee. Next up was the Louvre to catch a glimpse of the Mona Lisa. We all agree she is a bit underwhelming, particularly in juxtaposition to the mural opposite her which has to be 200 times (?) as big as she is, and therefore much more intricate (and interesting). Everyone was ready for some fuel after the Louvre so we schlepped into a bistro near Pt. Royal and had a tasty meal. The plan was to catch the RER train or the Metro to the Tour Eiffel, but WHAT?--the RER station was shut tight, and backtracking to find the Metro station was vetoed, MUCH to Michon's chagrin. Poor thing was SO exhausted. She may never forgive us for walking her the entire way! Eventually we arrived at the Eiffel, and thankfully she rarely disappoints. We caught the Metro back to our neighborhood where the Pagitt's finally felt they could fall into bed, with Craig and me not far behind. Next morning it was up early and off to the train station so they could catch a cab to the airport for their flight to Nice. We didn't really know them before this day, but thoroughly enjoyed their company and now consider them friends.