Felice Varini at La Villette

Born in 1952, Felice Varini is a Swiss artist based in Paris. He is known for his geometric perspective-localised paintings on buildings, streets, rooms and other architectural spaces. He uses projectors and stencils to achieve these amazing works. He has an exhibition at La Villette at he moment. Three of the pieces are in the Paul-Delouvrier gallery. Entry is free. When we was there last Wednesday afternoon there were very few people and we were able to spend time finding the 'right spot' to see the completed forms. 

This is the first one you see when you first enter the Paul-Delouvrier gallery. Fragmented.

Complete.



Blue picture frames. Fragmented.



Complete (well almost ... ahem).



Fragmented.



Complete.

I was with my 10 year old son and he really enjoyed finding the right place to stand, though he was a little short to get it spot on all the time. For this one in the arcade of the east gallery of La Grande Halle, however, he was able to. Maybe the huge scale if it allowed a bit of 'give'.

So clever! 

The exhibition runs until 13th September 2015. More information on the exhibition can be found here.

Shiny Things Around Paris

On this wet rainy Friday I've gathered together some shiny things to try and cheer you up.

Some light switches at an antiques market at Place des Abbesses.



Cycle Reinor Standard.



Silver spoons.



The Géode at La Villette science museum, viewed from the south-east.



Viewed from the north-west.



Water droplets on our balcony eucalyptus tree.



A magnificent pegasus at the end of Pont Alexandre III.

A burst coffee capsule. Finezzo lungo perhaps?

And finally the cupola at Galeries Lafayette with the inverted Christmas tree glowing blue.

And finally, some mandatory shiny éclairs. Bon weekend!

Parc de la Villette

I went to Parc de la Villette with the kids yesterday. Our plan had been to go to the Jardin de vent et des dunes, a great play area with a wide range of things to leap off...and on...and around. Despite getting there reasonably early (13h30) the place was heaving with approximately 5 gazillion centre loisirs (school holiday centres) with the same idea as us. Pretty quickly the kids said "can we leave, there are too many children." So we did. The Parc de la Villette is huge with big expanses of grass and lots of different 'sub-parks' with plenty of things to leap off...and on...and around.

The most striking building for me in La Villette Cité des Sciences complex is the mirrored Géode omnimax theatre made up from 6433 triangular mirrored panels. It always looks fantastic, whatever the weather. 

The main museum, built in a former abattoir looks stunning as well, especially when the sun is shining.

There are of course the 26 red follies designed by Swiss architect Bernard Tschumi, that lie in a grid across the whole park area.

Yesterday when we were at the park I tried to take some photos that captured some atypical view points and scenes.

Here is the Géode looming with intent.

Here is the globe peeking through a red folly.

We saw some cows.

I saw some lovely light patterns.

The follies through the trees looking intriguing.

I'm not sure what this building is for, but I liked the stripes.

The Grande halle de la Villette is a huge iron and glazed structure, built between 1865 and 1867. It was the former covered market where cattle was sold. It has been completely restored now and houses exhibitions. From the outside.

The park seems to generate mysterious forces every time we go.

You can find more photos of Parc de la Villette on my Flickr account here.

Watery reflections

It's not actually raining today, but it feels like we've had quite a bit of rain lately, so I've been gathering together a collection of watery reflections. Some in rivers, some in canals, some on the road and some in puddles. 

Here are a couple a Parc de la Villette.

Here are a few in a back street of Paris.

The river in Donegal town.

Gutters in Paris, not all bad.

After the rain in the Jardin des Tuileries.

The stream in the Square des Batignolles.

Our balcony.

A green traffic light blends with blue.

And finally another non Paris one which I love, Donegal bay.