TAG at Grand Palais

TAG: tag and graf


There is a private collection of graffiti created by 150 artists from the states and europe on display now through April 26th at Grand Palais. The 300 piece collection art is being displayed in a 700 square meter wing of the palais that is currently under construction, because of this, the walls are raw and provide the perfect space for the art.

Taking over 6 years to bring this exposition together, the collector, Alain-Dominique Gallizia, asked each artist to create 2 pieces: one a tag of their name and the other an expression of love. Below are snapshots of the exposition.





Doze Green (I recognized his unique work from seeing his work before at 111 Minna in SF)

Churros at the Tuilleries

On Saturday night after a windy picnic on the Pont des Artes (the bridge to be at), we walked over to the fair at the Tuilleries.

The ferris wheel


This is the mysterious ferris wheel that I have seen in so many photos but was never assembled on my previous trips to Paris. I assumed it did not really exist. However, I saw it with my own eyes so yes, it exists. I also saw the haunted house ride that Amelie goes on in the movie. A bit too scary for me.

Churros with Nutella


Like most fair food, the churros looked so good but were in the end disappointing. Even though we saw them being fried, they were a bit stale. After 4 pieces with nutella you feel sick. Would I buy them again? Bien sûr! You are at a fair, what do you expect, dacquoise and petits fours? Although I'm sure in la or in Napa there is a fair that serves this type of fare. Oh wait, I mean San Francisco and it will be called Slow Food Nation and held at the end of the summer. Jealousy.

My 2nd birthday!

Yay! Finally fireworks in Paris! I missed them on my real birthday on the 4th but got to see an incredible display on the 14th. While I missed the military parade and Nick and Carla on Champs-Elysées because we got home so late the night before, a fabulous picnic with music and the backdrop of le Tour Eiffel was very sweet.

Our picnic.


Here we have fruit, chips, chorizo, baguettes, marinated cucumbers, wine and a Betty Crocker birthday cake in the shape of a sun that my roommate made me. Delish! We are getting more and more organized in our picnicking but haven't purchased a blanket yet, but the paper bag was a nice touch.

The Champs du Mars was so crowded that we were lucky to get a spot on the grass. We did not have a view of the concert where apparently James Blunt played but that was fine with us because you had to stand up on the main lawn where the concert was and that was too much for us.

Our view.


Picnics!


Being in Paris under le Tour Eiffel on Bastille Day made me so happy, amazed, grateful and proud of myself for making my dream to live in Paris come true. You too, can quit your job and move across the globe. "It's so easy, even a girl can do it" (one of my favorite quotes I have heard so far from one of the chefs here regarding turning mushrooms. It is a very interesting quote because I don't think the guys can do it either).

Bals des Pompiers

Like everything in Paris, the Firemen's Ball was more than I expected. I thought we were going to walk into the garage of a local firestation and there was going to be a disco ball and drinks and music and that would be that. Bals des Pompier is the exact opposite. The party starts at 9am and goes officially til 4am.

The ball we went to was in the Marais by 1/2 a block from Saint Paul station. When we arrived at around 1am the line was all the way down the street and around the corner. After waiting more than an hour and a half and being stuck in front of by some americans and some thugs and 6 euros later, we were in. Fully uniformed french firemen (and one woman) and all.

Waiting outside of Saint Paul church to get into the Fire Station.


The line crowding to get in.


Another holding area where you pay 6 euros for entrance + 1 drink (Heineken)


Poor photo of inner courtyard with a live band.


Crazy Firemen's party.




A beautiful sunrise when we arrived home the next morning.


In Paris, when you go out, the party doesn't stop until 4 or 5 so why not save the cab fare and get a bite to eat of a crêpe or kebab on the corner and wait for the metro to open. That morning we got home a bit after 6 in the morning. A beautiful sunrise.