Paris et Créations: Vitrines sur l'Art

With its many museums, beautiful architecture and vibrant street art, Paris is a city with a thriving and diverse artistic scene. This summer, as a tribute and testament to this artistic dynamism, Galeries Lafayette has offered up its windows to 8 cultural institutions of the city. Les Arts Décoratifs, the Centre Pompidou, the Cité de l’architecture & du patrimoine, la maison rouge, the Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris, the Palais de Tokyo,  La Gaîté lyrique and Le BAL have each decorated a window display of the famous department store on the busy Boulevard Haussman. The project, Paris et Création, now in its 3rd year running, aims to give passers-by a taste of the city’s diverse cultural offerings, bringing an eclectic selection of art to the streets and to the Parisian shopping masses.

Collectively, the 8 mini-exhibitions explore a range of artistic forms, spanning from digital art and design, through to architecture and fine art. Jean Francois Leroy’s installation for the Palais de Tokyo works alongside an exploration of the urban and natural in the display of the Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine; the Musée d’Art Moderne creates a poetic dialogue between pieces from its collection and the films of Ariane Michel.; La Gaîté Lyrique explores the urban skateboarding scene. The variety of themes and art forms turns the Galeries Lafayette into an explosive smorgasbord of artistic activity.  

And as a testament to the cultural diversity of Paris, the windows also offer a vision of the global nature of the city’s art scene. The blow-up red toy buffalos in the display of Les Arts Decoratifs pay homage to Czech designer Libus Niklova, whilst Le BAL, the Centre Pompidou and La maison rouge give us a glimpse into the nightlife of Tokyo, contemporary Indian identity, and the wildlife of Winnipeg, Canada. An urban hub of the city has turned into an artistic journey around the world, offering locals, tourists, art experts and art novices alike, a chance to share in Paris' brilliantly dynamic cultural wealth. 

Showing now, until the 5th August at Galeries Lafayette, Boulevard Haussman.

Photos:Leo Tobisch

Paris Fetes Cinema

 
With over 300 films showing a week in over 100 movie theaters and a museum dedicated solely to film-making, Paris is one of the film capitals of the world. The city fetes cinéma during July and August with three festivals dedicated to the silver screen. From 1960’s Mexican movies to French classics screened under Parisian skies, this summer Paris promises to be a moveable film feast.

Le Festival Paris Cinéma
Start the summer off with this 11 day celebration of eclectic cinema from around the world. Aimed at discovering new filmmakers through its international competition, as well as honouring established film personalities, this year's festival will focus on Mexican cinema showcasing over 40 Mexican films, including the work of guest of honour, actor Gael Garcia Bernal. A highlight is sure to be the “Nuit du Cinéma” which will launch the festival with an all-night event of cinematic hedonism, featuring 1970’s Japanese erotica, an exploration of feminine vampirism in film and alternative Mexican cinema of the 60’s and 70’s. There will also be a film flea market with vintage posters, old magazines and other trinkets from the cinematic world. Takes place July 3-11 in various theaters around Paris. Individual screenings: €5, Festival Pass: €30, More info: http://www.pariscinema.org/uk/

Cinéma en Plein Air
For a little bit more originality on hot summer nights than an evening picnic on the banks of the Seine, the Parc de la Vilette Open Air Film Festival is where to be. Over a bottle of wine, check out some film classics such as Cedric Klapisch’s "Chacun cherche son chat," (When the Cat's Away (1996) or travel to New York through the eyes of Woody Allen in "Manhattan" or catch Gene Wilder’s acting debut in the iconic "Bonnie and Clyde." Includes a vast range of films from various countries and eras...and all screenings are completely free.  One film each night starting at sundown, Tuesdays to Sundays between the 19th July to the 21st August. http://www.villette.com/


Cinéma au Clair de Lune
The streets of Paris — the setting for so many filmic encounters— are cinematographic in their own right. What better way to pay tribute to them than to use them as the backdrop for a summer film festival? The Moonlight Cinema Festival (August 3-21) takes place at 9:30pm in various locations including Montmartre, Jardins des Champs-Elysées, Place des Vosges, Menilmontant and the Esplanade de Invalides. The festival kicks off with the 1940’s comedy starring Arletty "Fric-Frac" screened in Montmartre ending with Jacques Rozier’s "Adieu Phillipine" in Place René-Cassin by the beautiful gothic church of Saint Eustache. All films are in French.  http://www.forumdesimages.fr
And for a film festival that's already underway, Fete du Cinéma is offering reduced prices for film screenings nationwide. Now in its 27th year running, it works on a simple principle: buy one full priced ticket to any screening, and you are guaranteed €3 entry into all subsequent film screenings over the duration of the festival, at participating theatres.Until 1st July. http://www.feteducinema.com/

Article originally published on www.parisvoice.com