Paris

Paris represents for me an amazing time and place in my life. It has taught me the importance of taking the time to notice your surroundings. Being back in Gainesville I feel myself being more aware of the subtle things, I can't believe how much my perspective has changed. My challenge now is not only to record this experience, but make others care and understand.

Final Note

As we end this experience, we leave with a deeper understanding of our surroundings. The ability to observe, to stop and drink in a location will prove invaluable to our skills in artmaking and in our paths throughout life. I came here hoping to gain a more intimate knowledge of Paris, one that would take me beyond the typical tourist experience. A connection has certainly been forged; I hope to apply what I have learned about consideration, observation, and meditation into my art and in my life. Thanks for that.

Pompidou Reflections

Walking through the Airs de Paris exhibit, I expected to see an ode to the city and its beauty. I thought the work would revolve around Paris’s magic and charm. I was intrigued to see so many pieces that instead considered the effects of industrialization and urbanization on Parisian society, resulting in culture shock and a changing sense of time and space. A new spin on the effects of Paris on art and society other than an exploration of its splendor and loveliness, but an effective stimulus for consideration of the city as a changing entity that has negative as well as positive implications.

element of change

I started thinking about the idea of change as it relates to the city of Paris. According to many of the pieces that we saw at the Pompidou today, this city is constantly growing and changing with technology and modern advances. This is an element to consider when creating our final pieces. How do we make a piece about Paris that can be appreciated many many years from now?

party's end confetti

Like most of us I've used my pack ratting skills well and collected countless pamphlets and bit of Paris. Until now I haven't had any plan for these tiny treasures; some of the shinier pieces I've wanted to protect and keep clean to display for my own benefit later, others I like to rip to pieces. These final collages are made up either of a singular source like a map, or multiple pieces that together tell a story of my path through Paris. Either way, these mini projects leave me with confetti for the next couple days in this city.

Pieces of Paris

Round 2

We’ve come full circle. Reconvening at the Luxembourg Gardens, I was surprised by how much easier it was to describe the landscape around me and to trust in myself to document the information. I was still hesitant when making my marks. But the lessons we have learned in observation gave me a sense of confidence in my ability to connect with my surroundings and accurately recount/record them.