Statistics
We looked inside some of the posts by chryssahadjis-blog and here's what we found interesting.
Average Info
Notes Per Post
9
Likes Per Post
9
Reblog Per Post
0
Reply Per Post
0
Time Between Posts
14 hours
Number of Posts By Type
Text
17
Last Seen Tumblr Blogs
Fun Fact
China blocked Tumblr because of pornography and censorship problems in 2013.
Text
Atelier des Lumières Pics
Wednesday, June 5th
1 note
·
View note
Text
Atelier des Lumières
Wednesday, June 5th
In my opinion, we saved the best for last! Today we went to Atelier des Lumières where we experienced an immersive art exhibition of magnificent works by Vincent Van Gogh. Van Gogh is one of the worlds most known post-impressionist artists who expressed emotion through color. When he moved to Paris he was inspired by impressionist artists of that time era such as Monet and Pissarro. After trying to imitate their style, but couldn’t exactly execute the technique, his own bold and unusual style was born. Van Gogh’s paintings reflected his emotional and unstable life. From his artwork, you can tell whether it was a high or low point for him in his life. The colors reflect so much of his emotion onto the viewing audience.
The best part of Atelier des Lemières was watching Van Gogh’s paintings come to life through multimedia. It was interesting how crisp and clear the media projections were and how they were still able to portray the paintings in such a realistic form. Walking throughout the exhibit made you feel as though you were a part of the artwork. When the projections on the floor would move I felt as though I was being pulled along with it. Accompanied by music, Vann Gogh’s paintings were dancing across the walls and floor. Although his work is dynamic on its own, the music enhanced not only the moving images but the emotion as well. I never would have thought there would be a day where I’d find myself walking through A Starry Night!
1 note
·
View note
Text
Le Moulin Rouge
Monday, June 3rd
Since I’m here in Paris, I knew that I would have to go and see a show at Le Moulin Rouge and I am so happy that I did. It was just how I had imagined it to be after doing my research on La Goulue who was the star back in her day. I was able to point out the small references they would make in order to stick with tradition. Minus drinking the audience members drinks... The dancers were flashy, they performed various high kicks and also performed the Can-can. La Goulue is actually credited for the French Can-can and some of its choreography. The Can-can was probably my favorite number in the show because of its high energy. I know it must have been challenging to perform such a high energy number in the middle of a show, but the dancers did it with smiles on their faces along with shouting and cheering along to keep up the energy.
Not only was there dance performances, but the show also included performances by acrobats and roller skaters. These small sections between dance numbers kept the audience on the edge of their seats as they took many risks up on stage. Speaking of the audience, it was a full house! I couldn’t stop thinking about how fulfilling it must be to perform at a full house just about every night. I’m so glad I was able to experience the culture at Le Moulin Rouge and could understand why it is a full house each night. The stage remained busy with colorful decorations and feathery diamond costumes. It was quite the show to see and I would recommend it to anyone who finds themselves in Paris.
1 note
·
View note
Text
The Louvre
Thursday, May 30th
The Louvre was once a royal palace until it became a museum in 1793 during the French Revolution. It now is known as one of the world’s greatest museums and holds artworks dating back to the 7th millennium BC. It is also home to the famous Mona Lisa, which actually was extremely underwhelming to me, plus the room was crowded so it made it hard to see the little painting...
Besides the oh-so-famous Mona Lisa my favorite room, and maybe I’m a little biased, was the Antiquités grecques. A room full of classical and Hellenistic Greek art. The perfectly sculpted statues are the Greek’s representations of their gods and heroes in human form. This allowed for the artists and sculptors to craft the perfect and most ideal bodies... if a perfect body exists. There was also a rule of human body proportions according to sculptor Polykleitos. This is most famously represented by The Male Nude in Greek Classical Sculpture.
Another portion of the Greek’s statues I admired was the pillars that were beautifully sculpted into women. They stand tall and strong in draping dresses making it hard to believe that they are made of stone. In today’s day and age, these pillars stand as a symbolic sign for women. They are a great symbol of strength and dignity as they stretch from the floor to whichever roof it is they need to hold in place. Whether the Greek sculptors knew it at the time or not, a house would fall without the support of strong women.
1 note
·
View note
Text
The Opéra Garnier, Post Tour
Wednesday, May 29th
Our second visit to the Opéra Garnier involved a private tour of the building. It also included a look backstage and what is going on down below all the glitz and glamour. Beginning in 1861, Charles Garnier started the process of creating a “new Opera house” during the Parisian era of Haussman. It is now considered to be one of the world’s most beautiful theaters. Upon entering one would be able to see just how amazing it is; decked out in shiny golds, bright lights, masterpieces, and rich reds from top to bottom.
Not only did the Opéra Garnier have something to show off, but so did its audience members. We learned that the opéra became a place where the rich and powerful would come to show off their fancy wardrobes and accessories, hence the mirrors found around almost every corner. They always had to be checking to make sure they looked presentable, though I would find it hard to outshine the Opéra Garnier.
This raised an intriguing question during our midterm discussion... If Parisians say they hold art to a different standard and have more of an appreciation for the arts, why is it that they would come to the opéra to show off their own beauty and belongings? Personally, even though the opéra came to be a place of ‘who wore it best’, I believe the Parisians were still able to appreciate the artistic show they came to see. Art, and most specifically the opéra, would not have lasted this long in Paris’ culture if it wasn’t for the support and admiration of the Parisians.
1 note
·
View note
Text
Musée d’Orsay
Tuesday, May 28th
I started my day by taking a ballet class over at Studio Harmonic with Wayne Byars. I was a bit nervous going into it because I wasn’t too sure what to expect besides the fact that the class would be taught in French, but turns out I had nothing to be nervous about. I found it easier than I thought to pick up on combinations, but that’s probably because ballet terminology is a language I’ve heard for almost my whole life. The open class was extremely welcoming to all ages and dancers. The dedication these artists have for dance is evident in their presence throughout the class and even before it started. I arrived early because I wanted to be able to warm myself up especially because it has felt like forever since I last took a ballet class. While I sat outside the room warming up my feet, I admired the other dancers' dedication to preserve their bodies. It was easy to see the devotion everyone in the room had towards dance; the young wanted to push themselves and the old wanted to keep learning. I can appreciate their appreciation for dance.
The second half of my day was spent at the Musée d’Orsay. Musée d’Orsay is home to the largest collection of impressionist and post-impressionist masterpieces. These masterpieces include the phenomenal artistic works of Degas, Monet, Van Gogh and more. I found it extra special when I came across an original painting by Toulouse-Lautrec featuring my character La Goulue and her dancing partner Valentin. When researching her prior to the trip I saw many images of these paintings of her done by Toulouse-Lautrec, but it's another thing to witness the real deal in person. My other favorite moment of the day was seeing the Little Dancer Aged Fourteen sculpture by Degas. I’ve seen countless dancers reenact her quaint fourth position with her hands behind her back and it was so fulfilling to finally see the sculpture for myself. Fun fact, Degas personally wanted the sculpture to stand in a glass cage to imply the Dancer’s status as a” work of art”.
0 notes
Text
Montmartre
Monday, May 27th
Also known as the “Mountain of Mars” and “Mountain of Martyrs”, Montmartre serves as the location to quite a story. Legend has it that when Saint Denis was sent to be crucified on top of the hill but instead was decapitated, he picked up his own head and continued making the trek uphill. He was determined to be crucified like Christ.
On top of the hill sits Sacré-Cœur Basilica, the Sacred Heart Basilica. Built between 1875 and 1914, the Sacred Heart Basilica is a unique place; for more than 130 years it has had continuous prayer by one or more people. It is also is the cheapest place to stay in Paris, but part of your stay includes taking an hour night shift to be the one continuing prayer.
“Up there the Lord is present. Up there, somebody is praying for me.”
Not only is Montmartre home to the Sacred Heart Basilica, but it also was a place were various artists thrived. From painters to singers to dancers, each could feel welcomed. Montmartre would come alive at night. Popular places to go included Bricktops and Le Moulin Rouge. It was cool being able to explore the area where my assigned character “La Goulue” made a name for herself.
Still, to this day, you can find artists lined along the streets of Montmartre drawing and painting the colorful buildings and endless views it offers of the city of Paris.
0 notes
Text
Opéra Garnier
Wednesday, May 22nd
We had the lovely opportunity to pay a visit to one of Paris’ most well-known opéra houses, Palais Garnier. That night I witnessed my very first opéra performance. Going into it I had no idea what to expect. To be honest, I was shocked when the 2-hour long double bill of Tchaikovsky’s “Iolanta” was actually a story. I can’t say I necessarily enjoyed the performance... Not only did I have to go back and forth between subtitles and the performers, but there was never a change of scenery. However, I can still appreciate the art behind the opéra and the exquisite performance given by the singers.
After “Iolanta” was completed, there was a strange transition into a modern take on “The Nutcracker”. This new and (may I say) not improved version was choreographed by Arthur Pita, Edouard Lock, and Sidi Larbi Cherakoui. In my opinion, I feel as though the choreographers failed to portray the true talents of the dancers in the Paris Opéra. There were also various multi-media installations that I could have done without. They were too distracting and took away from the performance of the dancers.
Overall, I wasn’t too impressed by the 4-hour long show that night at the Opéra Garnier. But on a more positive note, it was fun getting dressed up with my classmates and walking around the stunning interior design and architecture of the Opéra Garnier.
0 notes
Text
Day Trip to Versailles
Thursday, May 23rd
Today, we lived like royals! Our day trip to the Palace of Versailles was nothing short of amazing, besides the part where we got lost in the never-ending gardens trying to find food...
The construction of Versailles was one of the greatest architectural masterpieces within the country. King Louise XIV was not messing around. It was hard to wrap my head around the fact that people had once lived in this extraordinary palace of 2,014 acres. Exploring the insides of the palace was very eye-opening to the way the royal family lived. The deeper you went into the King’s room, the more royal/important you were considered to be. We were lucky enough to be “welcomed” like royals ;).
Venturing out into the gardens had to of been my favorite part. There was SO much to see; like I said earlier, we even got lost. We spent time rowing boats up and down the grand canal soaking up the sun and admiring the stunning 360 views of the palace’ green scenery. I couldn’t name a thing that would have made our day at the Palace of Versailles any more wonderful.
0 notes