Category Archives: Art and architecture

Brancusi museum, Paris

Of all the museums I visited, the Brancusi museum will always be one of my favorites. Situated in the heart of Paris on the square in front of the Pompidou Centre. This small museum is free, and although small, give a wonderful insight into the work of the sculptor. The workshop of the artist with its contents was left to the people of France by the artist. The whole artelier was reconstructed as it was when the artist died. One can still see the implements he worked with as well as a sleeping area. One almost expect him to walk in and start working.

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Sophy Grey Churches

I love small churches. Especially on quiet mornings. The atmosphere of sacredness, early morning sun through stained glass windows and beautiful woodwork, peace and  quiet. In the Western Cape, South Africa, I noticed a similarity and uniqueness in Anglican churches. I discovered a surprizing thing. All these  churches were designed by a Victorian lady, an amateur architect , Sophy Gray. In Victorian times no ladies were allowed in the professions. Yet lady Grey did an excelent job as an architect.

St George's in Knysna

Claremont church
Claremont church

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Modernism in Barcelona

Modernistic buildings in Barcelona

At the end of the nineteenth century the industrial revolution was in full swing in Europe. Industrialisation brought new building materials. Cement, steel and corrugated iron led to unimaginative, homogenic housing. Art and craft and good craftsmanship became less important. A new style developed, as a reaction to the boring buildings, known as Art Deco. In Barcelona it was known as Modernism. Buildings that were people friendly with excellent craftsmanship and decorated with unique tiling, mosaics, metalwork and sculpture became the norm for the new middle class evolving. Old style craftsmanship combined with new building materials and a new style of architecture changed the face of Barcelona. Architecture so innovating that today, a hundred years later, the style still is fresh and new.

 

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Museum of Architecture, Paris

If you stand in front of the Eiffel tower and look across the Seine you see a monumental building, the Trocadero. The wing on your right houses the museum of Architecture of Paris.

Replicas of parts of some of the finest cathedrals and monuments of France is housed inside. Yes, this is a museum of replicas. Detail of parts of buildings is painstakingly reproduced for research and restoration purposes. The end results ends up here. On first reading this I decided against visiting the museum. Who wants to see replicas if Europe is filled with the real thing?

Image to demonstrate loss of detail in a real (beautiful) cathedral.
Image to demonstrate loss of detail in a real (beautiful) cathedral.

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Le Corbusier Foundation.

I am a fan of modern Architecture. Well, lets say most of the well designed buildings. One of the greatest architects of the twentieth century must be Charles-Edouart Jeanneret-Gris, or better known as le Corbusier.

Le Corbusier summed up his approach architecture in five points.

1. Lift the whole structure of the ground. He used pilotis or reinforced concrete stilts to do this. Because the stilts carried the weight of the building it allowed the next two points

2. A facade free of support elements.

3. No interior support walls witch allows for open plan spaces.

4. Ribben windows that span the length of the building that allows in lots of light and uninterrupted garden views.

5. Roof space used as garden and outdoor entertainment area.

 

On a recent visit to Paris I could not wait to visit the Le Corbusier Foundation that is housed in the Maison la Roche, built to house the art collectors collection of modern paintings. The site of the building is a challenge to any architect, but the ingenious rethinking of use of space make this house something special

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One enters the house into a foyer that extends upward over three floors. With stairs and passages one is linked to the rest of the house.

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The Notre Dame of Paris

Notre Dame, a History in stone.

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Ever since I read the romantic novel, Notre Dame, by Victor Hugo as a student, I dreamt of visiting the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris. I still remember how my heart skipped a beat at the sight of this great building as I crossed the bridge over the Seine to the Ile de Cite for the first time. The Cathedral, probably the best loved in Europe, with its facade decorated by the central rose window and flanked by square twin towers, seem to beckon you inside.

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Museum Bourdelle, Paris

The Museum of Antoine Bourdelle is located in the Montparnasse area. His former studio and a collection of art was left to the City of Paris after his death. The museum was his studio from 1885 until 1929.

Bourdelle was a one of the former students of the sculptor Rodin. Like his teacher he wanted to have a museum to commemorate his work.

The museum consists of various parts. Beyond the entry hall one enters a beautiful  sculpture garden.

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Zatkine Museum

I am a confessed museum freak.

I prefer going to small art museums as they are far more accessible than huge museums like the Louvre. The smaller museums usually represents only one artist at a time. That allows you to get a grip on the art of a specific artist and help you to see how his style progressed over the years. Usually unfinished art works is on display as well witch gives insight in how the thought process af an artist work as well.

Zatkine Museum: Paris

Ossip Zatkine Worked in his studio close to the Luxemburg gardens. The house and studio was turned into a studio by Zatkine’s wife, Valintine Prax.

Sculptures from her personal collection as well as purchases later on fill the museum. The plain white interior of the building is a perfect backdrop for the artworks.

The garden also exhibits a set of beautiful sculptures.

 

Wood sculpture in the former studio of the artist.
Wood sculpture in the former studio of the artist.

 

Beauty of sculpture in nature
Beauty of sculpture in nature
The musicion
The musicion

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