Pompidou or Die
June 16
Today I worked for six hours on a group project. As it was Friday, I got to sleep in and have a lazy morning but otherwise, myself and my partner labored over the first draft of our section of a briefing book. Phew. It’s on food and energy, and we’re basically proposing policy to reduce food waste in the US. It’s hardly the kind of writing I’m used to, but it’s interesting nonetheless.
My roommate and home mom headed out of town on separate trips, so I had the apartment to myself! I went to a local small Carrefour and picked up some cheese and a baguette and had a nice, quiet evening in. It sounds boring but if you don’t know me, I’m very introverted and like to live on the languid side!
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June 17
I set off on an adventure to find a Primark in Paris. Didn’t quite succeed. I found a Primark! Forty five minutes away from me. It wasn’t quite in Paris, but on the outskirts in a shopping center. Have I mentioned it’s hot here? Because it’s hot here, and the mall didn’t have air conditioning. I’m not surprised, I just like to complain.
After spending the early afternoon shopping around (and picking up souvenirs, because what kind of sister/daughter/roommate/girlfriend would I be otherwise?) I went back home and had an early dinner then left again to the Pompidou Museum! It’s basically full of modern art and right up my alley. Then again, if you’ve peeked at my blog for the past few weeks you’ll learn I also really like museums, like, a lot. Apparently, this is a pretty popular area among young people. I saw couples and friends just sitting around and drinking, which was kind of cute.
I think my favorite art piece, I stumbled upon without meaning to. I found a Dan Flavin! I’ve been to one of his exhibits at the Menil in Houston, and he’s known for being a minimalist artist who created installations with fluorescent lights. I’ve experienced one of the walk-in pieces, and it was so fun to see another of his art installations all the way in Paris. Small world!
What I also really liked about the modern art museum, is that it’s really interactive. I loved seeing Renaissance and Impressionist art at other museums but they’re so stiff and fragile. But the art here was very inviting! I got to listen to recordings, touch some of the glass and mirrors, flip pages, and really feel out the art.
There was this art piece that had started out as a blank roll of film playing endlessly. However, as the tape ran on, it began to accumulate dust and scratches. So now, the projector shows what appears more like static than a blank white screen. It sounds weird and boring at the same time but it was really fun interacting with it.
The museum also had a hidden view! One of the art installations on the upper floors had an infinite waterfall that overlooked the city of Paris. There are other hot spots to take pictures, but I’d never heard anyone mention the Pompidou. Anyway, it was a really lovely view and going in the evening was perfect!
Au revoir, Lucero
