Sunday 21 June 2009

Grey Noise

A quick recovery was needed after Siggy's departure in order to prepare for the second La Totalite project, Grey Noise.

Maria, Johan and I organised 8 artists from around the world to create a sound piece relating to the theme of the city. The final preparations took place on Saturday, finalising the playlist, producing a information handout and most importantly, constructing the "black box".

After 3hrs, 40 odd meters of garbage bags and a lots of tape, we could proudly stand inside and say the box was built.

By 5pm, after technical glitches and a pit-stop chez McDo, we were ready to go, with pretzels and marshmallows poised.


We were all feeling a little nervous as we waited for the guests to arrive.


Despite their tardiness, we had an excellent turn out (very difficult to capture on film).

The listening went very smoothly and the effect of the black box more intense than I had imagined. It was tight, pitch black and pretty damn hot. One person compared it to being on a crowded metro.
The response to the pieces was excellent -phew, thank you artists.
Tomorrow we debrief then begin work on the next project, potentially in Berlin!

Adieu

Siggy's gone back to Norway for the summer.


Before he left he was busy ticking things off his list of 'things I want to do in Paris before I leave', one of which being a sushi night.


There was a little shin-dig the night before he left in his most-favourite and classiest street beer spot.

Just back from LA, the lovely James was in fine form, and loving Siggy's parting gift of a du-rag.

Siggy's departure has left a hole in the Parisian Saturday night party scene and will cause a decline in the sale of lowest-price beer and hip flasks.

Saturday 13 June 2009

Bicycle Adventures

In Siggy's last few weeks in Paris, being a gentleman of leisure, he has been taking full advantage of the velib bicycles. When given the chance I have tagged along anddiscovered previously unknown pockets of Paris, in particular some of her many and varied parks.


This sunny Saturday we headed West to the Bois de Boulogne. Absent of all the symetry, regulations and perfection of most of Paris' parks, this was the perfect setting for a bicycle adventure.


Despite it being ideal boating weather, Siggy was not confident of his ability to row me in a boat. Nevertheless, we still managed to see an awful lot on bicyle, including horse racing stadiums, boules tournaments, roland garros, remote control speed boats, an albino duck and waterfalls.


I was so so happy that the rain had stopped for my day off.


After an epic day of cycling (some 28km) including a trip south to the 13th arrondissment, Europe's largest China town) for some asian delicacies, we chilled out on the rooftop with soba noodle salad and tsingtao.
(another self-timer shot which is not quite right...)


I am trying to make the most of the rooftop on these long summer nights. It's so wonderfully raw.


I don't think I could ever get tired of this view.

Sunday 7 June 2009

Mumtime V. 2.0

I've recently had the pleasure of the company of my Mother dearest for the second time in 6 months.


Her oldest and bestest friend Louise has also been here. She is lots of fun and loves a beer.


Mum loves Paris almost as much as I do and we are a great team here walking, wining, lunching, dining, shopping, doing galleries, and gardens...


We had an extra special lunch at a private ladies club on the Rue Faubourg St. Honore on Wednesday. I felt like I was in a 19th century novel.

(photos weren't allowed of course so I had to be sneaky...)

Poor Mum got her wallet pick-pocketed on a bus, right after I had been explaining how much nicer the bus was than the metro, and how middle class it was. Luckily Amex came to the rescue within 24hrs so we still managed to have many great meals at Hotel du Nord, La Fidelite, Bistrot Paul Bert and, Tokyo Eat.


I have also been busy working on a little project with Johan and Maria, an exhibition of sound. It's all taking place on the 20th June, so not long now.
The meetings take place at Maria's place usually. She has even more stairs than me!! She has a beautiful place on the 7th floor and she carried her couch up there all by herself - amazing.


Siggy has moved in with me for the last 3 weeks of his time in Paris which is lovely.
It is of course close quarters, my nest being only 12m2.
We are literally face to face.