JD Tales
It’s been great answering your questions about my fantastic journey so far. I have many stories to share with you, and it is my hope that they will inspire you as well. Life takes on a special meaning when you find your passion. It’s like being a kid at your favorite toy store with each passing day. I highly recommend it!
Paris and Me
Traveling to Paris was my first experience with the European continent, and believe it or not, it was an unintentional trip. My original plan was to pack my bags and fly to India. I was allured by India, because I was in search of something more specific than passion; I was in search for a connection to the passion that I felt towards art. Somewhere amidst India’s customs and culture, and their bounty of vibrant colors, I wanted to immerse myself in the beauty of the country’s natural resources. Destiny however, had other plans for my education, more fundamental and grounded. It swept me unconventionally to another world of which, I neither had dreams or nightmares.
Paris, I discovered, stood as a world from a past era, while my emotions were reflected in its present state.
My flight left New York at night, and landed in Paris the following morning. At first glance, I could tell that Paris was a truly impressive city. I checked into a hotel near Opéra National de Paris—their national Opera house—and only a few paces away from the famous Café de la Paix, where I frequented for lunch throughout my stay. The menu consisted of succulent and exquisite dishes. I can’t recall each dish by name, but the overall experience was a delight.
Paris completely seduced me, as it was a dream world, that existed in reality. I arrived in Spring with its perfect climate and gardens flourishing, buds and blooms of life could be seen around every bend. Everyone I met was amenable and courteous. I felt it was a realm infinitely conducive of deep thoughts and art.
Le Louvre
My first stop in Paris was the world renowned museum, Le Louvre. I was so thirsty to drink in the amazing art on exhibition! What a grand impression and an unimaginable plethora of artistry from around the world the museum had. I entered on the mezzanine and was greeted by the museum’s iconic crystal pyramid. Inside, I gazed at various paintings from French, Italian and American artists, as well as many others.
Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa is a small painting, but crowds gather and form long lines to delight in it. Another painting that called for my attention was “the Cana,’ painted by the Italian artist Paolo Veronese on a grand canvas. It was stunning! Afterwards, I was extremely lucky to paint alongside art students for a few moments. Being allowed to paint while surrounded by these works of unparalleled beauty was a unique experience.
Musée d’Orsay
The architecture of this building is distinctive on the inside and out. Curiously, it was constructed as a Gare (train station) terminus for the Parisian suburb of Orsay from southern towns. Today it houses a major collection of Impressionist’s works from around the world. The museum covers the epoch of the first Impressionists, through the post-Impressionists. It also holds sculptures and architecture. I was able to meditate on the works between 1874 and 1889, finding the great painters among that period, such as Renoir, Gauguin, Cézanne, and Monet. In comparison to other museums, the Museum d’Orsay was less complicated to navigate, and much more comfortable. Also, one can comment that it has the most well-rounded exhibitions. And the best part is that the museum is situated right in the center of Paris.
Centre Pompidou
Encased in an enormous public plaza, Centre Pompidou is surrounded by a mix of street artists, bohemians and young people wandering around everything art related. The structure of the building is metal and aggressive, and personally it fascinated me. Once inside, I was able to admire all the retrospective works from distinguished artists throughout the six floors. The fifth floor was dedicated to your quintessential modern art works from legendary masters such as Picasso, Miro, Kandinsky, and Matisse, etc. One can also appreciate other trends like minimalists and conceptualists, for example Marcel Duchamp, Yves Klein and Robert Rauschenberg.
Musée Rodin
The Rodin Museum is surrounded by an enormous garden where one can admire some of the masters’ famous statues like “The Thinker.” I valued Rodin’s sculptures and was truly impressed by the collection. They each had a unique story and a history behind their creation. The sculpture that most impressed me was “Hell’s Door,” another iconic sculpture that resembles a version of “The last Judgement” by Michelangelo.
Café-tabacs, brasseries, and street art fills the street, much like what we’ve seen or heard about in books, movies and recollections from friends. The trip was an immersive experience, but each day I was able to gather myself and reflect on these works of classic beauty. Many of these artworks still have influence on my own, but I owe the most gratitude to the city of light—Paris.
