Dynamo - A Century of Light and Movement in Art 1913-2013

Dynamo has arrived in Paris. About time too as I have been greatly anticipating the opening of this exhibition for months. The distinctively vague but alluring posters have been hanging tantalisingly outside the Palais for a while now and I couldn't wait to visit and see what all the fuss was about. Even before you enter the building dry ice is hovering mystically over the fountain outside, beginning the journey into the weird and wonderful. 

I dont pretend to know much about art, or even anything really but I decide which pieces I like according to things that appeal visually to me or drawn me it. The entire collection at the exhibition is profoundly interesting and each piece has a captivating appeal. I guess the point of the exhibit is to create a playful display of light, colour, distortion and reflection, which is greatly aided by the fact that many of the installations are interactive. 

The exhibition follows a never ending maze of passageways and corridors, each arranged by theme, including "abyss, "celestial", "halo" and 'flicker" and I couldn't help but notice that further we went the more playful and childish we became. The same can be said for all of the other visitors too, as we spun around in a mass of blue cording, watched transfixed as colours blinkered on an off before us and danced in-front of a screen creating shadows. A bit like falling down a rabbit hole into a magical wonderland, the creative pieces blurred reality with fantasy for a few short hours. 

This exhibition plays with your mind, at times distorting your image, flipping your frame upside down and creating bizarre reflections. Flashing lights and a blur of colours begin to addle your mind but force you to keep watching. Movement, light and colour all combine to make this a spectacularly fun and intriguing exhibit, the point is not to understand the art but to have fun, to lose yourself and become involved in the collection. In a sense, you become the art, as your reflection and distorted image becomes part of the installation and a focus of the piece. 

So much of Paris revolves around the beautifully subtle shade of Dior grey but once in a while a little light and colour creeps in, and it is these moments that make Paris truly spectacular as you realise that the city of light really comes into its own. 

My advice would be to go on a Sunday evening, as we didn't queue at all and had the palais almost to ourselves, however allow at least three hours to be able to enjoy the whole exhibit properly. We became awfully sidetracked by the blue hair and subsequently wished we had had more time. 

Sorry some of the photos are a little blurry, I think it adds to the craziness of the exhibit and adds a sense of distortion.

Mood - Playful

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Vintage fashion and Falafel

One of my favourite things to do at the weekend is to spend the day with a great friend just wondering around the streets of Paris. Most people know that I am a planner, I like to know what I am doing and when, however recently the city has had a calming affect on me and I have embraced the need for spontaneity. Sometimes I enjoy following my mood and seeing where the day takes me and usually it take me somewhere amazing. This is exactly what happened recently when N and I hit the Marais for a Sunday stroll, which turned out to include a vintage fair, falafel and even a few too many cocktails. 

Starting out at the Salon du Vintage in the Marais we wandered leisurely between the stalls admiring Dior handbags, Chanel pearls and luxurious fur coats. The fashionistas swarmed like bees to a honey pot around suitcases filled with vintage silk scarves and clamoured around soft leather handbags in fifty shades of tan. I love that each piece of clothing has a unique history to it, from its previous owner that is handed down to the next, making each garment a legacy. So different to picking up a dress from the high street that is owned by everyone, vintage brings with it a sense of exclusivity and uniqueness. 

After several hours browsing designer dresses and rummaging we headed towards St Paul for a falafel fix, the kind that can only sorted with a pita packed full of juicy aubergine and thick humous. Paris and the Marais are famous for its falafel stands and every day a queue can be seen down the street of hungry foodies waiting for their fill. It is only natural that as a Jewish area the Marais has become infamous for its incredible street food and lively atmosphere and I couldn't wait to get involved. 

We decided to eat in the restaurant and we were glad we did because we were swiftly served with pitas bursting to the seams with delicious flavours and contrasting textures. Falafel is a cheap and tasty meal that fils you up for hours, especially as we munched our way through pitas so big that they burst open, revealing their delicious inner glory. L'as du Fallafel is THE place to go, always packed out but quick service and fantastic food are definitely worth the wait in my book!

Of course we had to end the day with a refreshing cocktail in the 6th, sitting out on the pavement watching the world go by and the hustle and bustle of the city as it prepared for evening. 

Food, fashion and cocktails, a perfect weekend!

Mood- eager for more

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Summer and the City

Spring has finally sprung in Paris, this weekend the coats came off and the sunglasses came out. Paris was blessed with a beautiful hot summers day, the kind that makes everyone smile, act a little nicer and appreciate the fantastic sights around them. I have been told many horror stories about summer in Paris about how all Parisians flee the city due to the mass of tourists, unbearable heat and humidity and the lack of space for the whole city to breathe. As a country girl where summer means picnics in the park, watching cricket matches and spontaneous trips to the beach for a BBQ, the prospect of a summer in the city has brought on mixed emotions. I can safely say however, that after this weekend that I am so excited for summer and all the fabulous brightness and happiness it brings. 

There is nowhere better to spend a hot, balmy spring day than in the Jardin de Luxembourg with a group of wonderful girlies, a stack of books and an ice cream stand just a quick walk away. Despite the fact that everyone else in Paris had had the same idea as us, we managed to find a little spot of grass to put out picnic rug and managed to find peace amidst the happy babbling going on all around us. With all the business comes a fantastic chance to people watch and a bustling atmosphere to soak up in the sun. 

The Jardin de Luxembourg was created as a children's garden and you can really see why as children gather racing their wooden boats on the pond, flying kites between the trees and riding up and down on the ponies. 

We whiled away the hours reading, drawing and enjoying the feeling of the hot sun against our faces. 

A beautiful day spend with beautiful people, so simple and yet so perfect. 

Mood- A little sunburnt but happily so!

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Diner

I love exploring the winding back alleys and cobbled streets of Paris and enjoy searching high and low for new places. There is nothing better than discovering a quaint little cafe that is only known by long-standing locals or a boutique shop that hasn't lost its unique charm to tourists. Each new place is like finding a hidden treasure and there is something delightfully satisfying knowing that you have managed to find your own personal little part of Paris. These are the places in which the owner gives you a friendly wave as your walk down the street, or that you are shown to your own usual table or even a bakery where your order is placed upon the counter before even opening your mouth. Little gems like these are once discovered and never forgotten and they become infinitely more special that the well-known spots that everyone body knows about. 

Having said that, I was lucky enough to uncover "Diner" this weekend and even though, I must confess, I was tipped off by some very good friends, I still feel like this places can be considered one of my personal, special little finds. 

Diner can be found just of Rue Cler in the 7th, and is an un-commercialised and authentic American diner complete with a jukebox and milkshakes. American diners are all over Paris and the "burger" has infiltrated French cuisine so thoroughly that the accolade for the best burger is as highly regarded as the perfect French onion soup. However, there is something uniquely special about Diner that cannot be found elsewhere.

The burgers are simple and delicious, served in wicker baskets with cutlery as an optional extra. There is no messing around in this place! From the lightly toasted brioche bun to perfectly cooked steak and hand cut-skin on chips this has to be one of the best burgers I have ever tasted. Hungry hipsters get stuck straight in, rolling their sleeves up and enjoying the juicy goodness that this place delivers. Fluffy American pancakes, classic cocktails and breakfast eggs are also served, but there is no doubt that burgers are THE business in Diner.

Not a bad place to spend an evening enjoying great food, great company and a great atmosphere. 

Mood - Satisfied

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The Happy Recipe

I have not been feeling my bright and happy self this week and spent Sunday in my pyjamas, eating patisseries and snuggled up in bed feeling very sorry for myself. Sometimes things happen that really knock you back and make you think you will feel horrible forever. However, when moments are at their blackest there is always, always light at the end of the tunnel. Although this week was definitely a low point in my life it has also, ironically, been a highlight. In case I didn’t realise how amazingly wonderful my friends are, I certainly do now. Never have I appreciated long skype chats late into the night and cute little text messages throughout the day so much. You are all marvellous and you have all been my little silver linings that have reminded me how blessed and priviledged I am to count you as mes amies.

Here is my recipe for putting a smile back on your face in Paris (thanks to a little help from my friends).

Step 1, take one fellow foodie friend and dine at Les Cocottes, one of Christian Constants world renowned restaurants on 135 Rue Saint Dominique.

The simple “cocottes” come bursting full of flavour and interesting textures and the desserts are simply to die for. I tried the plat du jour which was the lightest and most delicious piece of fish I have ever tasted, drizzled in a rich, fully bodied sauce. My gorgeous date NO tried the Pavé de cabillaud laqué au miel, gingembre, fenouil et carotte à la coriandre and was also spoilt with a fantastically delicious meal. Simple elegance at its best and a must do for anyone needed a great evening out in Paris.

Step 2) Start your weekend (or Thursday night) with a trip to Prescription, the tucked away and effortlessly chic bar in the 6^th arrondissement which is filled to the brim with intelligent and beautiful people. I was told about Prescription by the “queen of bars” herself, miss SAPG, all I can say is thank you, for introducing me to expertly mixed unique cocktails that are streets ahead of your standard cosmopolitan.

Step 3) Escape the hustle and bustle of the big city and all its noise by visiting a picture-perfect French village outside of Paris. Throw in a glass of wine and a long-needed catch up with cheeky little Irish girl and your evening is complete.

Step 4) Hope on a plane and indulge in a week of family time. Enjoy home cooked food, your own cosy bed, cuddles with your kitten and a few drinks in the pub with your old friends. Perfect.

There is nothing like a cocktail with a great friend, laughing the night away in an uber-hipster bar that is so achingly cool that it almost hurts. Nothing beats indulging in an exquisitely prepared meal by a Michelin starred chef. Nothing tops sharing a freshly baked patisserie with one of the few people that manages to make you cry with laughter when all you feel like doing is crying. 

But most of all, nothing beats living in Paris.

Mood- Happier

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The Museum of Everything

Paris is known as the city of light, many people think this is because the Eiffel Tower sparkles every hour like a shimmering beacon and because the city really comes alive at night with bright illuminations. I like to think that the city of light can also refer to enlightening and therefore the awakening of the mind to new experiences, ideas and cultures. This idea is certainly reflected by the abundance of museums, galleries, theatres and creative areas that exist in this wonderful city. I find it hard to imagine that people are not inspired just by walking around, either by the scenery and beauty of the city, or because of its people and the weird and wonderful ways of life that are visible on every street. Recently I have been enjoying the fabulous exhibitions that have been on in the city and trying to infuse myself with a little of Sartre's, Picasso's and Simone de Beauvoir's Paris. 

One of my favourite art exhibitions was not at the imperial palace of the Louvre, nor at the beautifully grand Musee d'Orsay but at the unassuming and wonderfully unpretentious Museum of Everything. This little travelling museum makes big claims by presenting "everything" to its viewers, which I must admit was the reason I was inspire to visit. At first I tossed aside this claim as I realised that the exhibition was a collection of art and sculpture by unpublished and unknown artists. However, the further I delved into the ramshackled old convent that housed the museum the more engrossed I was by the talent on display. I came to the conclusion that "everything" was present in the exhibition as the pieces covered the spectrum of human emotion and experience, spanning time, culture and country, piecing together a delicate mosaic of "everything.  Truly amazing. 

The quirky presentation of the whole museum experience was vibrant and unique, again adding to the sense of intrigue and mystery surrounding the bold statement of "everything". Large red arrows led this visitors around the building that had paintings covering every visible surface, including doors and stairs making the whole place a work of art. The beautiful stained glass windows of the old chapel casted a rainbow of light over the wooden floorboards and the chitter chatter of knowledgable volunteers in artists aprons created a subtle and calming atmosphere. 

Three hours passed so quickly that when we emerged the sun was beginning to set behind the buildings of Boulevard Raspail. Such a beautiful museum trip that left my mind truly illuminated and wishing I was artistically blessed.

After all, if Paris can't inspire you then in my humble opinion, nowhere can! 

Mood- A little more cultured

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