Properties in France - Vingt Paris Magazine - France property for sale

My Bike on at Merci

Images: Merci

Text: Anne S. Ditmeyer

In recent years in the design community, bikes have been far more than a means to get from point A to B, but part of a style lifestyle. With more choices and accessories than ever, one's bike can be a means of expression. Put a bike into context, and depending on where you live – Copenhagen or Amsterdam – a bike is a necessity of life. But now, in other places of the world, such as Tokyo, there's a movement to live life at a different pace, with an emphasis on quality of life, known as SLOW BIKE.

The timing of Merci's installation, MY BIKE: Transportation Dans la Ville, on January 18 through February 18, is noteworthy, as this past week was the latest edition of the mega design trade show, Maison Objet. Design is not limited to what is in one's home, but rather extends to the world outside (and beyond the expo center).

Five new exhibitions at the Maison Européenne de la Photographie

Image: Maison Européenne de la Photographie.

Text: Rooksana Hossenally.

The Maison Européene de la Photographie (MEP) is one of those key venues that is internationally renowned for showing work by high-profile photographers. And this week was no exception with the launch of five brand new exhibitions. If you’re going to be in the area it’s worth popping in to see William Ropp’s stunning portraits. But the other works on show, including Götz Göppert’s panoramic night shots of Paris, Dominique Isserman’s Laetitia Casta, Youssef Nabil’s Egyptian mise-en-scènes and the series, Eloges du vertige, might leave you feeling somewhat underwhelmed.

The four floors are divided up between the five photographers’ work. From top to bottom: Eloges du vertige and Youssef Nabil, followed by Isserman and the second part of Eloges du vertige on the next floor, then Ropp on first and Götz Göppert in the basement.

20 Questions: Beth Arnold

 

Beth Arnold is a journalist and award-winning writer living in Paris.

1. What initially inspired you to move here or visit?

The first time I came to Paris, I was 19 years old, and I immediately fell in love with this sublime city.  I dug the way Paris (and France) looked, felt, and the respect for art and artists - and I mean that in every sense - that existed here.  It was a revelation compared to the environment in the U.S.  I felt at home here, and I wanted to return and live. 

It took 20+ years but I finally did it.  My husband, James Morgan, and I are both writers, and I thought of a book idea for him.  The title I initially imagined for the book was “Learning To See,” but it evolved and was published in 2005 as “Chasing Matisse.”  So we came to Paris to follow the footsteps of Henri Matisse on his artistic path in order to find the history, the visions, the views of what had inspired this artist we both admired.  We took this journey to see ourselves in new ways, to get a fresh view of life and our lives in particular. 

2. Earliest Paris memory?

It was literally getting off the plane at CDG, thinking how amazing it was that I was in Paris, how exciting, how wonderful!  I knew I was beginning a memorable adventure, here and throughout Europe.  I was probably wearing this baby blue polyester pants suit that my mother had bought as good travel wear for my trip.  The jacket was short with panels of multi-color stripes.  Polyester was the new hot fabric.  Very fashionable at that moment.

Atelier Boba : Photo Prints ´sur mesure´

Image: Ryan Boatright in Atelier Boba

Text: Philip Tonda

The new Paris-based photo studio Atelier Boba does not only offer printing and technical advice on a high, professional level; they are also, unlike most printing places, very competent in giving artistic advise on your art project and photo work.

Owner Ryan Boatright, an artist himself, has long worked intensely with photography in various ways. When moving to Paris two years ago, he knew exactly how to proceed. He and his wife the conservator Caroline Barcella, found an old shop in Montmartre, renovated it, and gave birth to Atelier Boba. Since it's conception in 2010 they've put all their effort into making this a well-functioning, professional printing studio, working closely with artists, photographers and other people interested in photography. 

Who comes to Atelier Boba? 
It varies. We have recently worked on print projects for a contemporary artist, commercial photographer, and a documentary photographer. We've also had people coming to receive feedback and critique on their photo work, and some just come to talk about art over a coffee. Furthermore we're currently engaged in a scanning project for an individual who has a large collection of glass plate negatives that he wants digitized so he can share the images with his family on the Internet.

Unspoken Rules of Paris: L'amour, bien sûr!

Image: Robert Doisneau's "Les Amoureux"

Text: Guillermo Martinez de Velasco 

You know that moment right before you jump into a pool that you know is filled with cold water? That strange mixture of drive and fear that takes over as soon as you take that first step. On one side is the idea of you, in there, being youthful and wet-like. Of you in an Evian advert. On the other; there is the image of your toe, the big one, the one you dipped in the water earlier, the one that made you have second thoughts.

This is exactly how I felt when I met Morgane. Or rather, when she walked past me on the Pont Neuf (I know, right?). I was walking towards the Rive Droite. She was coming from it. Her curly hair got tangled in her scarf, in a good way, if this is possible. The bridge was a catwalk and at the other end stood a grid of cameras. To say she walked past me would be an exaggeration. She actually walked across me, across the bridge. Not a word, not even the slightest hint that she didn't feel like there was no one else there.

But I was used to attractive Parisiennes acting like men are invisible, or Lepers, or invisible Lepers. So, In a completely unorthodox show of confidence, I looked at her (but not in the creepy sideways look kind of way). I made eye contact and made sure she was aware of it. My eyes followed hers until she let out a smirk. "Did you see that girl?" asked my friend Clément sarcastically. My breath was freezing in front of my face, "I made sure she saw me".

Mia Funk: Meta Art

Nuavecabacus 2012 © Mia Funk, acrylic, gouache, antique wallpaper

Images: Mia Funk                                        
Text:  Susie Kahlich 

Talking to the artist Mia Funk is a slightly unsettling experience, like being surprised by fizz in a drink you thought was flat.  It’s a bit of a shock at first, but then you realize it’s a pleasant shock and yes, you will have another glass of that, please.

And that’s how it is with Ms. Funk. Very direct and extremely articulate, she throws you right off balance the second she starts speaking, but leaves you wanting more.  An Irish-German Chinese-American, she physically resembles the Chinese side of her family but, although born and raised in Seattle, her 10 years in Ireland and over a decade in France has inflected her American vocabulary with a hybrid accent that comes across as vaguely German. 

And for all her intensity and intelligent observations about art, history, film, pop culture and literature, there exists an underlying social satire that is dark and deliciously addictive yet playful, like a soda designed by Edward Gorey: exotic and mysterious, probably poisonous, but delightful nonetheless.  In other words, an unexpected fizzy drink.

January Film Events

Image: Susie Hollands
Text: Susie Kahlich

VINGT Paris Launches Monthly Film Series! VINGT Paris launched its monthly film series at Le Beverly Cinéma Tuesday night with Melody Gilbert’s Urban Explorers: Into the Darkness, an award-winning documentary about the urban explorer movement in the US, Scotland, France and around the world.  Did you miss it? Get on the mailing list for the next screening by sending us an email with film group in the subject line.

VINGT Paris Monthly Film Series
Subject: “film group”
news@vingtparis.com

 

Projo Collectif continues its Apéros-Projos with a whole new year of movie-going and networking at Café de Paris.  Selections from the Festival Clermont-Ferrand starts the year with off with a bang. 6 January at 21h00.

Au Café de Paris
158 rue Oberkampf 75011 Paris
Métro: Ménilmontant

 

35 Parisian New Year's Resolutions

Image: I Still Shoot Film

Text: Guillermo Martinez de Velasco

1-Don't go to the Eiffel Tower on New Year's Eve

2-Actually do that thing where I pick an area of the Louvre per week, and visit it very attentively

3-Buy a bicycle and throw away my carte imagineR

4-Actually go to Château de Vincennes, not just talk about going

5-Promise to go to one of the presentations/lectures/workshops at Beaubourg or the Fondation Cartier per month

6-Don't cheap out on French Vogue or Egoïste

7-Finally get my membership for the Hôtel-de-Ville Library and The Bibliothèque Fornier / Go study in these libraries

8-Get photographed by The Sartorialist, at least

9-Volunteer at Shakespeare and Co. (But also check out the Abbey Bookstore)

10- Promise to learn more about wines, it's embarrassing that you always go for the 4-5 euro Bordeaux