I remember spending long holiday evenings when I was a teen ager, creating cushions in tapestry. It was a nice way of listening to the grown ups’ conversations and keeping my hands busy. This easy art is still a passion for many and there is a unique and refined little shop, Tapisserie de France, between Opera and the Louvre, where … Read More
Jean-Jacques Lequeu, a doomed XVIII th century architect
Petit Palais has accustomed us to big surprises but this new show of drawings by Jean-Jacques Lequeu is so astonishing that it almost eclipses the main show of Khnopff on the first floor. 150 drawings chosen among the 800 that he bequeathed to the Bibliothèque Royale just before his death in 1826, are exhibited here with a variety of themes. … Read More
Free exhibitions and expensive shopping in the Seventh
With Christmas getting dangerously closer, my steps led me to rue du Bac and rue de Sèvres where two small exhibitions are quite enchanting. While doing your shopping at Hermès, at Laurence Tavernier (for nightgowns) or at “38” rue de l’Université for South African and Mexican artifacts, make sure to step into Fondation EDF next to the Récamier restaurant to … Read More
Obsidian stones are volcanic at Pierre-Alain Challier
It’s a good idea for the Christmas season to have commissioned mirrors and jewelry from famous French artists. And this is exactly what Pierre-Alain Challier, the charming galerist from the Marais, has conceived with Anne and Patrick Poirier, designer Mattia Bonetti, Jean Michel Othoniel, Hubert Le Gall and more terrific designers… The result is a fun show on two floors … Read More
Tadao Ando, Tomas Saraceno and “Marxito”
What do Japanese architect Tadao Ando, Argentinian artist Tomas Saraceno and French chef Thierry Marx have in common? They draw young urban art lovers in masses. And it is a duplicated pleasure to see how 25-30 years old crowd the Pompidou center, the Palais de Tokyo and restaurant “Marxito” on rue Jean Mermoz, with their energy, their red lipstick and … Read More
Fondation Bettencourt for intelligence of the hand
Every year, Fondation Bettencourt Schueller awards its prizes for “Intelligence of the hand“, one of the most original awards for artisans and this year again, I was flabbergasted at the range of laureates. The Manufacture of tapestries of Aubusson, a feather worker JulienVermeulen and three designers Mona Oren, JérômeMalbren and Lionel Bourcelot won in three different categories for their talent … Read More
Two museums in Cornwall, one is trendy, the other delightful
I have been going to Land’s End in West Cornwall for twenty years and I discover new delights every time. This year, I rushed to visit the new addition to the Tate gallery St Ives and see the late Patrick Heron exhibition but what really charmed my heart was the show of S.J. Lamorna Birch’ Cornish paintings at the Penlee House in … Read More
Summer treats in Paris
Paris can become pretty dreary in August when everything closes down but there are also special summer treats to be found. I went to the “Palazzo“, the terrace in front of Palais de la Porte dorée which features a great exhibition of photographs of gipsies (until August 26) and on Wednesday nights you get a free drink and a guided tour … Read More