Orsay...on my way

Day 3:Cloudy Afternoon/ 20941 steps

Where am I? - I can't tell, I am on my way to Musée d'Orsay, it should not far from Musée Rodin, how come...I get lost...again?

Direction is always a dominant gene that I am lacking of when I was born, I'm sure. So I did calculate the time required for this specific task in Paris, even though I have my GPS, Omg!

It's already 1400, it seems my apple earlier ate in Rodin's garden can't last long, I better concentrate & get back to the right track...before the wind blow me off. 

Hmm,it may be a good sign and it will be great if there is a jet for me right now...

Finally arrive Musée d'Orsay at around 1530.I don't have much time because it will be closed at 1800. Once again, my museum pass did it's great job for a quick access. Musée d'Orsay was use to be a railway station, and now a huge museum, so the interior is absolutely difference from Rodin's(Hotel), before jump into the flourish collection of art pieces, these are also attractive...

...combination of different form and materials, antique classic yet industrial...a transformation to her as well.

The crowd usually locate in front of the giant clock face, but this tranquil corner is not bad either,right? at least I can take a shot without interruption.

Basically visitors are not allow to take photographs inside, avoid crowd to create bottle neck affecting the circulation. But, as you can imagine, not many to follow because the collections here are marvelous.  

Starting from 5th floor downward, ranging from Impressionism to Neo Impressionism; Art Nouveau decor including furniture & jewellery of different countries; sculptures plus a special gallery of Degas...I wish I could show you some of them. 

1730, it's enough today, I need some time to absorb, it's time to leave. By walking back to hotel, I may have a chance to look for "him", my dreamed Kolisky at Magasin Sennelier, please wait, I am on my way...

Continue...Rodin

...Day 3 continue in the cloudy morning

I am not any sort of expert or professional in the era of sculpture, when I started visiting exhibitions in Hong Kong since Henry Moore, it could rarely evoked my interest to stay long,...until today.  

First of all, I have to say sorry that I don't remember the title of these sculpture, but they are worth to look into details. I have another habit when perceiving sculpture, I tend to view at the same height level first from 360 towards  720 degree at higher or lower levels; and usually they will reflect a lot more interesting/ beautiful silhouette or mass, like this; what do you think? The reflection of bronze is also amazing,too.

There are so many pieces of sculpture in the rooms, people are fond of "The Kiss"; me too but a lot more. Here is quite special as I think, so I look closely enough for a while and find something interesting, right in between the two figures (click to zoom larger)see if you discover "it", too?

...yes! half way down there, is there a piece of book/newspaper shred inside as part of the "filling"...I wonder :D 

Besides this, "The Kiss" give me an impression of lover in a mature age but this, a more long lasting intimacy between two of them, nice and peaceful.

There will never be an end if writing about Rodin's work, the best is for you to experience yourself. After a few more hours stay inside, one place I have to go before leaving, to visit "The Gate of Hell". 

Right in front of it, I immediately connect it to Dan Brown's Inferno and Dante's Divine Comedy. Some visitors think the features inside are quite erotic, when I look into details, touching the cold hard surface, what I see...is "Us" & the infinite desire...which eventually opening this gate...

Musée Rodin

Day 3: Cloudy Morning

Musée Rodin

I love paintings more than sculpture, so originally, Musée Rodin was not in my itinerary,but thanks to my friend Lorraine, she told me, almost "force" me :P said " Trust me, you MUST visit Rodin, it's worth to go!!!"...and that's why I am here.

This is a typical post card shot of this museum, although the weather is not perfectly clear, it still reflects a sort of classic mansion feel found in some of the TV series, and actually it is a restored Hotel Biron with a beautiful rose garden.

I walk from hotel at 0830 towards the left bank arriving here at 1000, why take so long? because I am walking slowly, almost 80% slower compare with the momentum in Hong Kong, "intentionally" and naturally when I was landed in Paris. Entering the museum, the very first thing I've seen is...her!

Young Girl with roses on her hat - 1865-1870 by Auguste Rodin

I have to confess, she changed my entire world of sculpture, I stay with her for almost half an hour. I don't know why, simply looking into her face and eyes, it seems she is talking to me, asking me to join her in her past...I am "trapped" by her, and I think this is why Rodin is so extraordinary! I want to leave her and move forward to the other art pieces for almost three times, I failed!

She is the most touching sculpture art piece in my journey - a note that I'd like to write down before I forget.

I have a habit when visiting exhibition, read the title only after perceiving the art piece in my own way, and if only if it's necessary to find out more; otherwise, I love to leave the memory right there in the mean time.

You may ask why I didn't use this picture in my book if I am so fond of her?...I think, may be I just don't want to "interrupt"...


 

Forum des Halles ?

Day 2: Sunny / Warm afternoon 
    + Stormy rainy night / 20144 steps

Forum des Halles

      

...What's next? I didn't plan for another museum because it's only at the beginning of my journey, no rush right? and truly speaking, I need to be familiar with the streets in different arrondissements. 

So, what is nearby to Center Pompidou? It's Forum des Halles & the famous Église St-Eustache (Church St-Eustache). They are connected by a huge public square with lots of greenery, people just having their sun bath on the grassland or shopping in the huge arcade. 

I am here almost 1520, shopping mall is not my cup of "coffee", after lying on the grassland for half an hour, I've decided to walk slowly back to hotel, simply passing by Église St-Eustache. "Not enter?" you may say, well,yes, why not sometime next day, again, no rush!

To enjoy walking under sun bath with breeze, warm and airy, so relaxing and I am sure you can imagine it,too. Is my day end back to the hotel? not really.

After a quick refreshment, my favorite twilight time arrive, so there is no excuse for me to stay inside as I don't have a stunning street viewable window...I quickly grab my blanket to receive this magic moment at Pont Neuf.

What I can say is...speechless, I am "melted" into the twilight blue...watching Eiffel at the far end...

Beginning of the wind

then, it happens just within seconds, thick clouds gather up in the sky hiding all my lovely blue follow by a super storm like wind,rain start splashing onto us; what we people can do are running to find a shelter somewhere, catching the table decor that may be gone with the wind at those riverside càfe; "screaming" with laughter...

"What an amazing day, I am so lucky to experience such a dramatic weather changes within a day, interesting...what will tomorrow be like? I can't wait"...I wrap my blanket tight over my head and shoulder while running back to Relais du Louvre...

Centre Pompidou Paris

Day 2 : Sunny / Cold morning

0600 in the morning, after  "fully charged" last night, I am eager to start my adventure, but...Pompidou opened at 1100, so I have plenty of time to walk from hotel started by a simple breakfast of croissant + double espresso at Le Corona.

Walking around the street(Rue in French)nearby, it's always amazing to chase the shadows of sunlight, one of my favorite exercise; it leads me to a lot more rue out of my itinerary, and I don't mind getting lost if I have time...they are so beautiful...Bonjour stranger :D

As most of you may know that Pompidou has an unique architecture formed by an inside out design concept with pipes of plumbing, air & electrical cable,...etc mainly exhibit Modern & Contemporary Art. I can access quickly within minutes with my Pass, when I enter the hall, the neon sign at far end drawn my attention because it looks a bit vintage :D - my other favorite.   

Up to the 5th floor, you will see a

spectacular outdoor view and while riding up the escalator, this is another interesting view that I've found: see? a lovely fountain with colorful modern art sculpture, a square for people gather around in the space of "modern & classic".

Actually, 5th floor is my target, showcases of artist between 1905 to 1970 mixed up with others like Picasso, Matisse, Kandinsky, Pollock...,etc. It's worth to spend a few hours to see them one by one. 

I love to walk from the highest level that I can access (due to the
Pass restrictions, like Pompidou, I can't access 6th floor this time, but...I'll be back, ha ha!)because
when reaching the G/F or basement floor, my "fuel tank" should be emptied and ready to "Sortie". 

The art pieces inside are really gorgeous but I am sorry that I can't post the photos here due to copyright issue. So, here I've got one interior decor on the 4th floor, interesting right? This will lead you to a workshop for teenagers from age 13-16, quite fresh.

Well, when I've finished further down until reaching the G/F,it's around 1500. My spirit is high & full of happiness, but my body is exhausted. So...

...my fuel here! return to a shop at the rue I've passing by this morning. To me, the food is not important provided there is an espresso, but some other things always interested me and invite me to stay, guess what...?

...here it is! What a lovely"stop"of my first half day...what next?



 

Petit Paris - Entrée Sortie

click to enlarge

Hi Hi, 

Whenever I am devoted to something, I shall never know time flies, it's almost three months since the publication of my first book. 

Book Two will soon be released on 3 May 2020, and pre-order is accepted right now in Google Books.

After the first day of exploration around Pont Neuf, I was ready to start the journey of museums in Paris. First of all, what I needed to know was these two French words:-

Entrée = Entrance
Sortie = Exit 

If you do remember, I had a target in this trip - to find a painting in The Louvre; but also to visit 6-8 museums if I could. 

Museum in Paris are huge in space, I might need to spend at least half day inside even not looking the art pieces one by one in details as expected, but you never know; even though I did reserve two & a half days for The Louvre, it comes out I spent one whole day there only, Why? I'll let you know later, but first, lets start our journey from Centre Pompidou in next post. See you!

寫下...怕會忘記

從2020年1月份至今我陸續邀請了30位親朋作首讀預覽. 收到20組書評, 當中不乏對本書的寫作對象, 體裁, 篇幅長度, 排版設計, 相片調色, 繪畫色彩, 文字内容等多項提出不同的意見; 範圍涵括面頗全面, 有理性分析, 也有感性思考的回覆. 

在我決定開始創作這個系列之時, 最令我感到難以決擇的是: 要商品化嗎?
也許無容置疑是理應商品化, 用設計技巧來處理並出版; 大部份朋友的意見也證明應該朝這方向而行, 否則又何需網上發售呢? 沒錯...

...但在繼續製作Entrée Sortie時, 我竟沒有把上述提及的各項上, 作太明顯的修正! 抱歉令大家失望.  並非因為你們的意見不好或不被看重, 反之我認為是很細心及有見地; 只是, 翻複思量了好幾週, 至少到目前這刻, 我仍被”初心”叫我保留”她的個人化"罷了, 也許還是免不了要付上一些代價.  

容許我在此向大家陳明我所謂的”初心”, 以下是Petit Paris系列的原創結構: 

對象:              任何需要空間又或想思考前路的人

體裁:              繪本型式的短詩集
篇幅長度:      A5, 一百頁以内的小書

排版設計:      簡潔, 最少修飾
相片調色:      最少修正, 色彩角度光線情景與拍攝時保留最大相符 

                       (即使不幸手震 out of focus :P)

繪畫色彩:      monotone/ gray scale + 全色水彩中頁
文字内容:      接近手寫字體, 簡潔
其他:              相片,插圖與短詩存在於不同空間

就是這樣...只想讀者能和我同處當時那一刻的巴黎…即使不一定令人嚮往, 卻可以稍作喘息.  倘若有一天以上一切都要改變, 但願你仍然喜歡和我飛翔...! 

忘記鳥

The Mégisserie

14 quai de la Mégisserie - Paris

To publish the first book as a 100% amateur is hard as you know, especially for a beginner, a lot of time spending into research & technical stuffs instead of the content itself. What you need are family & friends!

Those who are willing to spend time to read your first draft seriously even though they don't even know you can publish successfully or not, they still comment and advise generously to help you think broader & deeper.

This watercolor drawing was not existed in my first draft but third revision in Book One: Pont Neuf. Because my original thought of this series has to be clean & simple, reflect everything of what I've seen in real, without unnecessary enhancing, including touch up of the photos; resulting "a pale look" overall or even more "un-professional".

Jessie, the first reader of mine always take time to hear and discuss with me of my dream of a solo trip to Paris and publishing, "if you can add a color drawing in the middle section of the book may create more interest" - her advice.

Truly speaking, I put my watercolor kit in my drawer for almost 15 years; when I was a design student yearsssss.....ago, I did worst in watercolor and that's why I really don't have confidence to produce one...but finally, I did.

I choose 14 quai de la Mégisserie because of it's magnificent door way of the architecture itself; it's not a kind of luxury but breathtaking, I will say, whenever you head up to the goddess sculpture.

It was located near to my hotel so every time I passes by, I told myself, it's just the beginning, there are a lot more to discover in this Petit Paris, and I am fully charged.

Hopefully this simple addition of interest can cheer you up,too.

Finally, once again, thank you Jessie!

Along the Seine

Pont Neuf - The Seine - Paris Oct 2019

Imagine, you can walk along The Seine, every morning, in the afternoon or at night, what do you think? To me? dream...dream...dream...I wish I could!

Once you've been there, trust me, you'll never forget the aroma of the breeze, humidity of the air, warmth of the sun, tranquility of the surrounding, so relax...

But on the same sunny day, while you are enjoying the fascinated twilight moment, a sudden shower arrive without alarm, together with crazy wind in the dark, sometimes cold and sharp. 

Watching people screaming with laughter to look for a shelter like myself, it's funny and still, lovely! Yes, this is a wonderful experience to live nearby, I did experience "Four seasons" in the same day, unforgettable and truly amazing.

My hotel was located on the Right Bank, if you love a more quiet place, you can choose those on the Left Bank, or even The Island in the middle; no matter where you are, simply Enjoy !

Why this for Book One?

Hi, hi,

A forever love feature in Paris, it may be familiar with many of you, right? 

Art Nouveau, one of my favorite style, beautiful ornate details, feminine, soft & stylish. You can find this everywhere in Paris, just locate at every metro entrance, this is the one at Pont Neuf near The Louvre. Besides this, any where at shops, apartments, signage,
posters, architecture...,etc.

I especially love the arrangement of this station...instantly at my first sight. I saw this quite a number of times in design book or traveler's guide before, but when I were actually there, right in front, the joy is speechless...

When I touched the metal balustrade, feeling the crafted details of the flower stem, how they were extended to the railing, embedded & "melt" into the base; how it hold tight to "Metropolitain", the "blood red" flower bud not yet light up and will then transform into "Moulin Rouge red" at night; four illuminate round "dots" lead you to the aged underground world... I think I should stop here :P

So when I returned to Hong Kong, decided to begin my Book One, it was used as my reference to draw the book cover. 
I hope you like it ,too.

Bird talk - First day in Paris

It’s almost 0600 when arrived Charles de Gaulle Airport, I must confessed that I am forgetful as well as a direction blind; after 13h in the air and finally landing, I needed an extra hour to find the way out from the airport to join my hotel driver... sorry to keep you waiting, Cary!

Although it’s only in mid October, the air was chilly; when we drove off from the highway into the street...so quiet in the dark, everyone was in their sweet dreams right now (it was not totally true when I was discovered something later ).

Sparkling of traffic lamps, red & green, here & there; decorated by scattered yellowish spots from shops or cars...”Midnight in Paris “ was the film in my head. Wherever our car stopped, I kept staring to the far end of alley or the street corner, wondering if that mysterious car or person of 1920s would appeared in front of me......I love this city instantly, in my twilight zone!

Cary was so nice that she drove me through Cour carrée of The Louvre  for a quick glance before arriving hotel...I’d loved to treat it as my first gift received in Paris, merci.

Truly speaking, I did or at least should feel tired, and the checked in time was 1400, as scheduled, I had to stay outside for 5 hours, but...I did received my second gift, early checked in at 1100, hurray!

How about the third gift? I shared with you already Pont Neuf...fresh air ,breeze from the Seine; warmth by the beautiful sun & rich aroma of my double espresso, be my guest :)

I chose Pont Neuf (1e : Les Halles) to stay because of it’s walk-able distance to most of my favorite spots, to collect my museum pass from the Office de Tourisme de Paris, I’ve already in the next arrondissement 4e : Le Marais. Metro, bus or cycling could bring you anywhere, but I preferred walking, because Paris is one of the most beautiful & delicate city that worth to take my time to explore in detail.

Walking along the Seine was always amazing , seeing family & friends gathered for a Sunday picnic, someone relaxing in the moment of his/ her own; photographers, professional or amateur? who cares......tourist, of course, like me slowing down our momentum to receive the sun bath, absolutely free!

Dark fell quickly after twilight, to Parisian, it’s just the beginning of another happy hour. But I needed a rest ......now in my cosy room with my late night coffee at 2310, jazz music flowing in the air......