CLOUDS IN PARIS

#fbf to my last trip to Paris, when I floated through the Latifa Echakhch installation at the Centre Pompidou.  I'd take a cloudy day in Paris anytime, especially if the clouds are reminiscent of Rene Magritte.

Dress: Diane von Furstenberg (see the last time I wore it here)

Boots: Theyskens' Theory

Photo by Kathy Paciello.

BONJOUR DE PARIS!

Bonjour de Paris!

Can you guess who I visited today?

La Joconde (AKA Mona Lisa) was first on my list when I arrived at Le Louvre this morning.

I spent all day in the grand museum and am fairly certain I could spend the rest of my life there.

More to come!

Skirt: Celine

Socks: Hot Sox

Boots: Coach

MAGRITTE: Cloudy with a Chance of Symbolism.

It's been a few years since my last outfit post inspired by Magritte, but there is so much within the artist's oeuvre, visually and symbolically, that I often return to it for inspiration.

René François Ghislain Magritte (1898-1967) was born in Brussels and eventually traveled to Paris, where he became affiliated with the Surrealists such as André Breton.

In addition to his surrealist works, Magritte produced painted forgeries of Picassos, Braques, and Chiricos, and ultimately forged money as well.  I find this extremely intriguing, given the play between reality and alternate reality in his works, such as those depicted here.

Many people are familiar with at least a few of Magritte's works, particularly for their imagery within popular culture.  His recurring surrealist themes, evidenced symbolically, have become synonymous with the artist himself.

In Magritte's opinion, painting was "the art of putting colors side by side in such a way that their real aspect is effaced, so that familiar objects—the sky, people, trees, mountains, furniture, the stars, solid structures, graffiti—become united in a single poetically disciplined image. The poetry of this image dispenses with any symbolic significance, old or new."

Dress: Diane von Furstenberg (same print, different dress available in a limited quantity here)

Heels: C'N'C Costume National Patent Leather Pumps (available here, over 50% off!)

Photos by Kathy Paciello at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

YARNBOMBING

Yarn bombing is a form of street art, where surroundings are impermanently altered through the use of yarn.

Artist Juliana Santacruz Herrera took to the streets of Paris last year to fill the cracks with art.

Street art, including yarn bombing, is technically illegal, but who could complain about these decorative potholes?

The contrast between the grey tones of the city and the brightly colored yarn causes the viewer to stop and think about his/her surroundings, and possibly appreciate the inconsistencies.

See my previous post about Olek, a NYC-based yarn bomber who also makes the mundane beautiful by her use of yarn.

I'm wearing a dress by Candela NYC, leather Lauren Merkin clutch, vintage jewelry, and Manolo Blahnik oxfords.

All images (c) Juliana Santacruz Herrera via designboom.