Paris Diary by Laure

Drawings, drawings everywhere

parisdia25 March 2015Art1 Comment

White man with red trousers by Marcel Miracle at galerie Magnin A

The show « Drawing now » has always been an easy way to find new artists. Over the years, when the contemporary drawing show was at the Louvre, I bought black and white drawings by Etienne Pressager and a burnt wood piece by South Corean artist Ji Eun Yoon. Now, it is taking place for the second time, at Carreau du Temple, a superbly restored former Victorian market located in the Marais, which houses music, fashion and arts events.Read More

Yann Delacour, observer of small things

parisdia23 March 2015photography3 Comments

Yann Delacour observes small phenomenons. 15×20 cm print on Fine art paper,2004 © Yann Delacour.

A year ago, I was walking on the street below my flat and found a beautiful purple bellflower growing in the macadam. I could not believe this miracle of nature and figured, the rain had brought down the seeds from my balcony, five floors above. When you think of how hard it sometimes is to grow perfect flowers in perfect humus, this seemed magical.

Well, magic is exactly what photographer Yann Delacour is all about, when he observes a series of « insignificant » things and publishes them in « Le Monde d’Hermès ». The twice a year glossy publication always shows great images. This time, and under the influence of Sylviane de Decker, Hermès’ photography consultant, the most modest little weed enters the world of utter luxury and savoir faire.

From craftsmanship to art

parisdia23 March 2015ArtLeave a Comment

Le marteau siamois by Jacques Carelman

It was Palais de Tokyo again and its long waiting lines for the opening of « l’Usage des Formes », an exhibition curated by Gallien Déjean on similar themes as those of “le Prix de l’Intelligence de la Main” (Prize for Intelligence of the Hand) created 15 years ago by the Bettencourt Schueller Foundation.

Young ladies dressed in black with big red lips had obviously seen the new add for Chanel’s lipstick Rouge Coco. The crowd was such that one wondered where Jean de Loisy, the director, had found so many guests… but the very original exhibition of tools and art, largely sponsored by l’Oréale’s heiress, Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, was worth the wait in the cold.Read More

Very cosy, la Ferronerie

parisdia23 March 2015Restaurants & Hotels1 Comment

Salle-bar-et-ardoise-du-restaurant-La-Ferronnerie

La Ferronerie, a neighborhood restaurant in the 7th

It’s always been a discreet little restaurant hidden in the rue de la Chaise near the Lutétia but now it has become the hang out of many customers, who are disappointed by the new decor of Les Soufflés Récamier.

A Catalan shepherd is a painter in the Alps

parisdia23 March 2015Art4 Comments

Red skier and flowers, 1966 by Anselme Boix-Vives

Born near Morella in 1899 as Ancelmo Boix y Boix, Anselme Boix-Vives only started painting at the end of his life in 1962, after having emigrated at 18 to Moûtiers in the French Alps. From being a shepherd in Catalonia, he started a vegetable shop and became such a sound businessman that in 1956, he helped his son Laurent buy the ski company Rossignol, which would soon become one of the most successful in the world.Read More

La Folie Fornasetti

parisdia16 March 2015Art1 Comment

Plates are flying around the “pool” of mirrors

French lingerie designer Chantal Thomass was surrounded by « a million » Italian fashion journalists at the opening of Piero Fornasetti’s retrospective at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs. Barbara Baumel, who was for many years Guy Bourdin’s assistant and nannie, was laughing as always, with a group of very handsome men. And the atmosphere was electrical, as everyone was enjoying themselves in the midst of this bonified flea market filled by the designer’s lifelong creations.

To be Parisian in Lausanne

parisdia16 March 2015ArtLeave a Comment

The Musée de l’Elysée, a small house with a big aura.

The Musée de l’Elysée in Lausanne is turning thirty, and so has its brand new director, Tatyana Franck, who took over last week from Sam Stourdzé, now the director of the Rencontres Internationales de photographie d’Arles.

Famous around the world for its touring photo exhibitions, the Musée de L’Elysée is located in a beautiful 18 th century house overlooking Lake Léman. It is a must visit, as much as the Fondation de l’Hermitage on top of the hill.

From Denmark with love

parisdia16 March 2015Restaurants & Hotels2 Comments

A salmon festival at Flora Danica

One used to go to Caviar Kaspia or Maison du Caviar on the Champs Elysées for a late supper after a play or a concert. But caviar being what it is, no more. I recently found a similar elegant atmosphere at Maison du Danemark at the top of the Champs Elysées, while having a light dinner at their brasserie Flora Danica.