Corner of Montmartre

Can I move here now, please? Why don't these windows exist in New York!?!

Meliès

A lot of my friends disagree with me but I'm just going to come out and say it: I loved Martin Scorcese's Hugo. But how could I not love a film that essentially romanticizes the history of cinema in 30s Paris? What struck me the most about the movie were the segments about the filmmaker Georges Meliès. He was actually an early pioneer of cinema and thanks to Netflix, I've been able to see a few of his early masterpieces. If you're interested in the history of movies, I really recommend taking 10 minutes to see his iconic film Voyage to the Moon, available on Youtube. Made in 1902, it was light years ahead of its time and such an artistic approach to film!

(images via Laura Lomax)

Vacation Envy

It had always been a dream of mine to go to the French Riviera, particularly Nice. Well, the city did not disappoint. Though it's been a long time since I visited Nice, it still stays with me. Even with the sunny weather we're having in New York lately, I'd give anything to be in Nice again. If you could snap your fingers and be anywhere in the world in an instant, where would you go?

Père Lachaise sneak peek

In all my trips to Paris, I had yet to visit the Père Lachaise cemetary which houses some of the most respected historical figures of French literature, music, and the arts. I finally made the trek out there during my last visit and it was one of the most ethereal yet haunting experiences of my life. It's a very strange feeling to be surrounded by the gloom of death and feel overwhelmed by respect for the greats that informed so many aspects of my life, from the visually compelling Délacroix and Modigliani to the emotionally stirring Edith Piaf and the ever-inspiring Oscar Wilde. I will post the photos I took during my visit, only showing graves that are either significant to me or happened to elicit a great shot, though I really did attempt to be as respectful as possible and limit the pictures taken. The hunt for the graves of my idols were hard to track but the one in the final photo above was perhaps the most important for me to find. As a photographer, how could I not pay my respects to one of the early masters of photography, Félix Nadar. Anyone who has studied the history of photography knows how important he was in the early development of the artform and it was thus necessary to stop and show my gratitude. So appropriate that this nondescript grave tucked far away from the much more visited graves of Jim Morrison and Chopin, is only marked by a flower and a roll of film. Moving, indeed. 

Les Colonnes de Buren, Palais Royal, Paris

Paris is such an incredible city that even after three visits, including a five month semester abroad, there were still a bounty of sights I had yet to see. On my fourth visit recently, I finally got to experience the court at the Palais Royal in the 1st arrondissement (about two blocks from my old apartment). The court was closed for renovation during my whole semester so I never got to go. As an art history enthusiast, I was thrilled to finally get to see Daniel Buren's innovative use of his signature modern stripes in this ages-old palace! During my time at the Palais Royal, two sisters caught my attention as they played atop the shorter colonnades. Ah, Paris in the fall!

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Paris est une ville si incroyable que même après l'avoir visité trois fois, y compris un semestre de cinq mois, il y avait plein de choses encore à faire et endroits à visiter. Pour ma quatrième séjour, j'ai eu la chance de visiter la cour au Palais Royal dans le première arrondissement (très proche de mon ancien appartement). Je n'ai eu l'opportunité d'y aller puisque la cour a été fermée pendant le semestre entier. Comme un enthousiaste de l'histoire de l'art, j'étais ravi de voir finalement l'art innovateur de Daniel Buren et ses rayures modernes dans cet ancien palais! Au Palais Royal, deux soeurs m'ont intéressé alors qu'elles jouaient sur les petits colonnes. Oh, Paris est si belle pendant l'automne! 

Un après-midi à Montmartre

Around the Sacre Coeur, Paris

Beaumarchais et Saint Honoré, Paris

 

If I ever found the photography haven in New York that I encountered along the Boulevard Beaumarchais in the 3ème, I would just die! Imagine finding any vintage camera you could dream up. After buying some much needed replacement tools for my Canon 18-55mm, I went for a chocolat chaud at Merci, a concept store where you can find everything from clothes and stationery to furniture before indulging in typical café fare while reading a book from their amazing shelves. I failed to snap the library but the cute buggy in the entrance should give an idea of what a nifty place this is. After this, I couldn't resist going to my old home, Rue Saint Honoré in the first. How I missed you so!
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