Friday 20 July 2012

Electric Rainbow

Paris from our bedroom window....Friday morning 11am.
I would describe Paris as a magnificent 'greige' city....its architecture is predominantly that of greys, slates, creams, beiges and all the tones in between.

There are little patches of colour.....terracotta (chimney pots), rich red (window boxes of geraniums), verdi gris and gold (domes, statues).....but it is a predominantly grey city.....even the sky is often grey.  It's gorgeous...but its grey.

Here's Paris....from our apartment windows this morning.
The 'greige' stone walls of Paris are beautiful...and an
inspiration for my collages.
Yes....j'adore Paris' greys........but when I see an electric rainbow of colours I am instantly drawn in.

That's what happened when I saw Raoul Dufy's The Electricity Fairy at the Musée d'Art Moderne this week.

What a wonderful illumination of electric colour it is.....a monumental work (10 metres x 60 metres) completed by Dufy for the International Exhibition in 1937.

The mural tells the story of electricity....the history and applications of electricity including portraits of 110 great scientists and inventors who contributed to the development of electricity.
Have a snorkel at the clip below...turn on the music
and enjoy...

And I mustn't forget about another OMG moment when I saw Marc Chagall's ceiling at Opera Garnier.

An electric rainbow of luminous colour.....red and yellow and pink and green....purple and orange and blue.....I could see a rainbow!

I'll tell you all about Opera Garnier in my next post....but for now....here's that ceiling that crowns the ruby red jewel box below.
Can you see those rainbow coloured ballerinas above?  Might have to book for the ballet very soon!


You may also like my post on:
http://parisallons-y.blogspot.fr/2012/05/golden-experiences-in-paris.html

21 comments:

  1. sooo beautiful the Gray's + the colors + Stunning. Thank you. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

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    1. Salut Peggy....different zones of colour.....all enchanting.

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  2. Oh my word, that Chagall ceiling is so voluptuously indulgent, I'd have to lie on the floor with a glass of wine just to take it in.

    Bon weekend.

    Paul

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    1. Sounds like a wonderful idea Paul. Bon weekend to you too.

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  3. I can't think of anything to say except WOW, WOW and WOW!!!!
    Di
    x

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    1. Di....that's what I said too when I saw that ceiling!!!!!!!

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  4. The mural is a delight and I have not seen it! The Chagall ceiling is amazing and the first time I was able to enter the performance hall, they had all the lights off in preparation of a performance. I did not miss it on the second trip and the colors just took my breath away! As I recall reading, it caused quite a stir in Paris at the time.

    Love this post!

    Bises,
    Genie

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    1. So lovely to receive your message Genie...and do go out and see the Dufy mural. It's spectacular.....and there's a nice terrace for lunch too...with a view of Le Tour.

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  5. I love the grays of Paris. It drives my Black&White photography in Paris. There are many colors in Paris as well and lately, when I am using digital rather than film I've been adding the colors as accents to my B&W images.

    We move into our apartment on Cité in late August looking forward to a longer stay than usual and many mornings looking out our window onto the Seine.

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    1. Jeff your b/w photography is wonderful...and your stories enchanting. I'm looking forward to seeing your new images with those colour accents.....think what sights you'll capture from your window on Cité. When you arrive, go and see the Ahae photographic exhibition "From my Window" ......it's spellbinding.

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  6. What a lovely blog you have!
    Thanks very much for share everything this, so beatiful.
    Regards.

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    1. That's so kind of you ohma....so pleased you like it. A bientot.

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  7. what a fabulous mural...spectacular colours! xv

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    1. It's definitely worth having a look at the next time you're in Paris Vicki. A bientot.

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  8. Greige, a colour oh so chic Robyn. your collages look fab. Will have to get to Paris to see that magnificent ceiling. Electric Rainbow for sure. Keep doing what you're doing. Truley enjoying your insights. Jude

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    1. So happy to know that you're following along with us Jude....there'll be something in the mail soon!

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  9. What an amazing place. You've captured some beautiful details in your images.
    Ronnie xo

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    1. Merci beaucoup Ronnie....yes, they are both amazing places.

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  10. I love the contrast between the neutrals and the neon colors. So intense! And the Opera ceiling...what more can one say except EXTRAORDINARY! Again, I so appreciate you! Lisa

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    1. Lisa that is so lovely of you.....I have fun creating the blog but it is just perfect when others enjoy it too. A bientot.

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  11. My pleasure. Thanks for dropping by.

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