French Pop Art

Having moved on from a universal idiom of danger the skull and bone emblem have become quite trendy. Decorating many a person widely unaffiliated with piracy, at least piracy in it's older non digital form it's now very popular part of art in the pop and underground cultures. Here in Paris where this culture is on the rise one can see many creations like this in small art exhibits all around town.

Often these exhibits are free and and held at bars and they display mostly from small scale artist with barley a website to sell from (http://xxxprod.com/). Despite this cost are relatively low which may be something that prevents it from being a real source of income for these struggling artits. After all it's not real art if it's not expensive like one successful artist told me ;)

Either way it's still way more in my liking than heap of diffuse classical style oil painting adoring many well off homes and such. After all video game art and pop art does have another appeal to the kinds having grown up with Famicons, Amigas and what not's as their biggest sources of art and inspiration.

Something that is quite nice it that they are mostly free. So why not enjoy a day in Paris checking out the free art scene. There is plenty of street art to find around town and combined with these small scale pp culture exhibits a day or two could easily be spent taking in the flora of alternative coolness.
And don't miss the game art post it war as can be seen on many windows around Paris.

Uberkampf and Montparnasse are usually good streets to find this type of art.

One of my favorites which I would get if I could. You can find it here.

Sunday, Luxemburg Gardens

Sunday is a lazy mans days and it's no different in Paris. Like If you're like me and feel there are just to many lazy days in the world and can't wait to get back into gear and stress about.. Hay! that's not me but if it's you, this post might not be for you.

A favorite Sunday pastime of the Parisians is to just relax in the part. Enjoy a pick nick or some ice cream among the trees and the birds. One prime destination for just this is Jardins du Luxembourg (or Luxemburg Gardens). It's still quite busy as Autumn knocks on the door and in the air there is a sense of squeezing out the last bit's of summer before another season takes it's place. After all the trees have already begun to change color all though be it, sporadically.

At the center of it all is the nice fountain and pool of water which is one of the sunnier places to lounge around. The mini pond is often filled with radio controlled sailboats and kinds of all ages resting on it sides. My suggestion is that you come a bit earlier to grab one of the many chair or stools inhabiting the park for a more adaptable and enjoyable setup. Preferably with you feet resting on something =)

Paris is always a main destination for tourist and you will with out a doubt spot your fair share of the horde here. The majority of visitors are still french and it's considered a very french thing to do to. So to Enjoy this favorite and FREE pastime of the french, head to the 6e arrondissement (6th district). It's hard to miss with it's 224.500 m2. It's history stretches back to 1611 but I'll just say that's it's a nice palace, gardens and fountain to have as your pick nicks backdrop.