The year 1917 in Russia marked a unique moment of history when art and revolution fused together into a mutual source of inspiration. The creativity and energy fed on each other for a short few years, to eventually vanish under the brutal repression and purges of Stalin to become an official and bland art form called "Socialist Realism." The exhibit "Red - Art and Utopia in … [Read more...] about Letter From Paris: Seeing “Red” at the Grand Palais
Letter from Paris
Letter From Paris: As Notre Dame Burns, the World Mourns
On April 15, the world watched in shocked awe as the 850-year-old Notre Dame cathedral went up in flames. The emotion was immediate, intense and spread around the globe. Crowds of stunned people, who gathered on the banks of the Seine, many in tears, some singing religious hymns, gasped when the flèche (spire), consumed by the blaze, finally collapsed. The French president … [Read more...] about Letter From Paris: As Notre Dame Burns, the World Mourns
Letter From Paris: Exhibition of Macke & Marc’s Art Unintentionally Makes Powerful Statement on European Current Affairs
The exhibition titled Franz Marc / August Macke. The Adventure of the Blue Rider (der Blaue Reiter) at the Musée de l'Orangerie is the exhibit to see this spring when in Paris. It is a festival of colors by two German artists, Macke (1887-1914) and Marc (1880-1916), who both died prematurely on the front during World War I more than a century ago. Long overdue, and … [Read more...] about Letter From Paris: Exhibition of Macke & Marc’s Art Unintentionally Makes Powerful Statement on European Current Affairs
Letter From Paris: And So It Goes On … Brexit, That Is
"Order, Order!" barked John Bercow, Speaker of the House of Commons before announcing the results of the third-time-around vote on Theresa May's Brexit "deal" . "The ayes to the right 286, the noes to the left 344, the left have it." It was that fateful day, March 29 - chosen by the Prime Minister as the deadline to decide on the "divorce" of the United Kingdom (UK) from … [Read more...] about Letter From Paris: And So It Goes On … Brexit, That Is
Letter From Paris: Present Pace of European Politics is Dizzying
The unity of Europe is being put to the test now more than ever: the deadline of the Brexit pushed back from March 29 to April 12 is heightening the uncertainty to an almost unbearable level, the visit of Chinese president Xi Jinping to Italy, Monaco and France is preoccupying several members of the European Union (EU), and the populist votes in recent European elections are … [Read more...] about Letter From Paris: Present Pace of European Politics is Dizzying
Letter From Paris: Will Europe Fight Back in Face of World, Local Challenges?
The European Union (EU) is under attack from all sides. Will the EU strike back? The most serious threat against Europe is the dislocation of the world system of security and defense, which Europe relies on as a protection. During the past two years, an avalanche of steps taken by the US is unraveling the Atlantic-dominated frameworkwith a possible US pull-back from NATO; … [Read more...] about Letter From Paris: Will Europe Fight Back in Face of World, Local Challenges?
Letter From Paris: Current Crisis Continues Long History of Franco-Italian Love-Hate Relationship
A diplomatic crisis is going on between France and Italy. Salvoes of insults proffered by deputy prime ministers Matteo Salvini (extreme right) and Luigi Di Maio (anti-establishment) are flying across the Alps. A red line was crossed when Di Maio went to France and met with the most radical gilets jaunes who openly demand the resignation of the French president and the … [Read more...] about Letter From Paris: Current Crisis Continues Long History of Franco-Italian Love-Hate Relationship
Letter From Paris: Life in the ‘City of Light’ is a War Zone … with Wheels!
Paris is waging a war on wheels. In order to survive crossing the street, pedestrians have to defy car drivers while on the sidewalks, the war is between the people who walk and those on wheels in a multitude of forms. Mayor Anne Hidalgo, a socialist, has made it her mission to reduce pollution in the French capital by shrinking the space open to vehicles. It is a laudable … [Read more...] about Letter From Paris: Life in the ‘City of Light’ is a War Zone … with Wheels!
Letter From Paris: It’s Been a Rocky Ride, But Will Macron Still Make It?
France always seems to stand out by doing the best or the worst through social and political upheavals. The movement of the gilets jaunes has been like an earthquake shaking the system to its foundations. It has created the most serious political crisis the Fifth Republic has known since its creation by General de Gaulle in 1958. It is a pivotal moment for France and … [Read more...] about Letter From Paris: It’s Been a Rocky Ride, But Will Macron Still Make It?
Letter from Paris: Picasso’s Early Years on View in Blue … and Pink
In October 1900, Picasso - at age 19 - arrived at the Gare d'Orsay in Paris from Barcelona. So, it is appropriate that the Orsay Museum would host an exhibition about the young Spanish artist.The blockbuster, which opened in the autumn of 2018, was called "Picasso. Bleu, Rose" and refers to the 1900-1906 years. It is a long overdue theme, never before treated in … [Read more...] about Letter from Paris: Picasso’s Early Years on View in Blue … and Pink
With Approach of Brexit Deadline, a New Conundrum Emerges: UK Grows More Divided, EU More United
It was a close call for Theresa May and probably the most difficult time of the 900-odd days of the Brexit negotiations. On Monday, Dec. 10, her proposed "deal" faced opposition from all sides. Several of her ministers had already resigned: Boris Johnson, Dominic Raab and David Davis, successive Secretaries of State for Brexit. Even her own Tory party was … [Read more...] about With Approach of Brexit Deadline, a New Conundrum Emerges: UK Grows More Divided, EU More United
Letter from Paris: Riots Fuel ‘Yellow Vest’ Rebellion Against Macron’s Reforms, Stir Memories of May ’68
Editor's Note: We are watching events in Paris today with deep dismay. Nicole Logan's topical column gives her opinion on the background to the tense situation unfolding there. France is in a tailspin. The crisis started with the fury against the seven-cent tax hike on diesel fuel. The movement of the gilets jaunes (yellow vests) spread like wildfire through the social … [Read more...] about Letter from Paris: Riots Fuel ‘Yellow Vest’ Rebellion Against Macron’s Reforms, Stir Memories of May ’68
Letter From Paris: Thoughts on an Historic Day of Respectful Remembrance … and Distressing Disrespect
Editor's Note: We are delighted to welcome back Nicole Prévost Logan after her traditional break from writing while she summers in Essex, Conn. She has now returned to Paris just in time for the centennial celebrations of the end of World War I, on which she provides an insightful commentary in this column. Paris was the center of the world on November 11 - the 100-year … [Read more...] about Letter From Paris: Thoughts on an Historic Day of Respectful Remembrance … and Distressing Disrespect
Letter From Paris: Exhibition Explores Work of American Female Artist in Male World of French Impressionism
"Mary Cassatt (1844-1926) was the most French of all American artists," said art historian Jerome Coignard. She was the only woman - along with Berthe Morisot - to be recognized by the Impressionist movement and therefore permitted to show her works in their annual Salons. For 40 years she developed a personal and artistic friendship with Edgar Degas, which was somewhat … [Read more...] about Letter From Paris: Exhibition Explores Work of American Female Artist in Male World of French Impressionism
Letter From Paris: The (Rail) Battle That Macron Must Win
France is going through the labor pains of implementing a variety of overdue structural reforms if France is to be brought into the 21st century. President Emmanuel Macron has tackled this objective at a dizzying speed since his election on May 7, 2017. The pace of change was so fast that the opposition appeared unable to react until Macron turned to the reform of the SNCF … [Read more...] about Letter From Paris: The (Rail) Battle That Macron Must Win