Not everything males built is a phallus symbol, but you sure can make anything look like one.
Not everything males built is a phallus symbol, but you sure can make anything look like one.
Sarko’s start has been … not so good. But France is currently holding the EU presidency and Sarko has developed a lot of hyper-activity he is well know for. France is in dire needs of reform - and his fight against the mighty French Unions is going surprisingly well.
Will we see a new and stronger France in ten years? Will Sarko get his new military and a bigger Mediterranean Alliance he dreams of? Will the French people agree to change? It’s currently a pretty trendy political word … even in Europe …
Click image for a bigger devil!
Every year the same procedure: hundreds of athletes start one of the toughest races there is and every year a few cheaters spoil the fun. I guess some day I have to visit the Tour - I guess it’s one big party for the spectators?
Anybody been there?
BBC News: Trimmed French military is no retreat
There are two very odd things regarding European integration: Britain’s unwillingness to accept that it is part of Europe and France’s odd military status in NATO.
Finally the later will be fixed soon - after almost 40 years since Charles de Gaulle pulled out of NATO.
France has long been fighting side by side with their other western allies - but they were never officially part of the team. Sarko finally wants to put an end to that charade and join the team as a full member.
He also wants to shake up the military establishment and bring the troops into the 21st century - just like the Brits did several years ago.
Germany still hardly makes an effort to improve it’s military.
And all the big European ideas about a quick reaction force and all these stupid dreams never really gotten anywhere.
Europe still depends on NATO and therefore on the US and Canada.
More? Military of France @ Wikipedia
France is mostly know for it’s arty and serious movies - but "OSS 117" is just pure comedy. Hubert Bonisseur de la Bath was actually created long before Ian Fleming came up with James Bond - and he is actually an American.
The OSS117movie.com was actually produced in 2006 and a great success in France. The movie was released internationally this May. The official site has many more clips and some cool images.
I love the trailer - Jean Dujardin has that old school charm so many new Bonds lack and he doesn’t take himself too serious either - which is always good.
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1. Click player below to start the music. 2. Click the image to also have a closer look at the lady. 3. Study for three minutes the picnic. |
I know it’s rude - but I would label Maestro Fragonard as a horny Kitsch painter - but that is exactly why his “Swing” is the best image to celebrate the beginning of spring. And yes, he was a Frenchmen.
Click image for a larger center.
Click image for a larger image of the left panel.
Click image for a larger image of the right panel.
Many great paintings like this one are hard to see or show on a blog - because they are painted on walls or ceillings. “Portable” painting on canvas are a modern “trend”.
So Paul Delaroche’s painting of the ceiling of the National School of Fine Arts in Paris is literally a neck breaking piece of art. I can show you only three fragments of the semi-circular painting - you have to stitch together in your mind. Some day someone will make a 3D panorama shot of this.
From Wikipedia:
The Hémicycle
In 1837 Delaroche received the commission for the great picture, 27 metres long, in the hemicycle of the award theatre of the École des Beaux Arts. The commission came from the Ecole’s architect, Felix Duban. This represents seventy-five great artists of all ages, in conversation, assembled in groups on either hand of a central elevation of white marble steps, on the topmost of which are three thrones filled by the creators of the Parthenon: architect Phidias, sculptor Ictinus, and painter Apelles, symbolizing the unity of these arts.
To supply the female element in this vast composition he introduced the genii or muses, who symbolize or reign over the arts, leaning against the balustrade of the steps, beautiful and queenly figures with a certain antique perfection of form, but not informed by any wonderful or profound expression. The portrait figures are nearly all unexceptionable and admirable. This great and successful work is on the wall itself, an inner wall however, and is executed in oil. It was finished in 1841, and considerably injured by a fire which occurred in 1855, which injury he immediately set himself to remedy (finished by Joseph-Nicolas Robert-Fleury); but he died before he had well begun, on the 4th of November 1856.
More? Paul Delaroche @ Wikipedia
I am loving this.
China get exactly that kind of publicity it wanted to avoid by carefully orchestration the Olympic Games - especially by locking away ANY critical voice in China.
Now the Olympic Flame has to travel in Chinese style: heavily protected by the police against the “evil” outside world - while everybody inside is crammed into a prison.
But sorry you capitalistic communists: here in Europe we still have freedom of speech and the right to assemble and protest against such people like you.
I am still ashamed that the EU has taken a serious step to scold China or even boycott the games. The IOC has blood on their hands - these greedy old bastards. Can you believe that the International Olympic Committee is more or less a private organization only responsible to itself.
The IOC knew well in advance that China would continue to trample human rights and that the games would be abused as a PR act by the communists to look “nicer”. Amnesty International and many other human right organizations warned the IOC.
From Wikipedia:
Criticism of the 2008 Olympic Games host selection
Some international groups attempted to pressure the IOC to reject Beijing’s bid in protest of the state of human rights in the People’s Republic of China. One Chinese dissident who expressed similar sentiments was arrested and sentenced to two years in prison for calling on the IOC to do just that at the same time that IOC inspectors were touring the city.[10] Amnesty International expressed concern in 2006 regarding the Olympic Games to be held in China in 2008, likewise expressing concerns over the human rights situation. The second principle in the Fundamental Principles of Olympism, Olympic Charter states that The goal of Olympism is to place sport at the service of the harmonious development of man, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity.[11] Amnesty International considers the policies and practices of the People’s Republic as failing to meet that principle, and urged the IOC to press China to immediately enact human rights reform.[12]
Bastards!
France - like Germany - is in dire need of reforms. Sarko started his campaign for his Presidency with the promise of change (sounds familiar). Many French people liked his busy and aggressive style - and had high hopes for some positive change.
But with his ugly divorce and stupid handling of his own affairs he has lost a lot of political capital. In recent local elections Sarko’s party has lost many votes.
France still is in need of reforms, but they new leader has busted a lot of his power for silly personal affairs. Too bad, because I won’t help him and his still necessary task.
Sarko admires the British economy and it’s success in recent years. Tony Blair inherited many necessary - but painful - changes made under Thatcher and built his success on it. France is not in such a bad shape as Britain in the late 1970’s, but still there is a lot to be done.
Sarko is especially fascinated by London’s vitality, something Paris lacks (his won words). In terms of international importance, stock market and political influence London easily beats Paris. Only the number of high ranked restaurants is higher in the French capitol.
So no surprise that this visit to Britain is so important to Sarko, he needs some serious political action to restore his credibility and some backing for his ideas for change. Maybe some serious glamor from the British Crown will rub off and the dry Mr Gordon Brown can add some intellectual spice as well …
Thinking of Van Gogh almost always breaks my heart, because of his great personal tragedy combined with his great passion for beauty and art. Today I want to invite you into Vincent’s bedroom - a small place were he lives in poverty, but his mind always filled with deep thoughts, sunlight and love for his brother - who supported him all these years.
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1. Click player below to start the music. 2. Click the image above to dive into the art. 3. Study for three minutes this great piece of art. |
Vincent was a very complex person and I am sure he tried to cope with poverty, limitations and his loneliness as much as he could. He wanted to capture and share the beauty he saw everywhere - but the world discovered him too late - so he had to die without knowing how great his art was and how much people appreciate his efforts …
By the way: he was a great letter writer - it’s worth diving into some of his messages to his brother here. Another website featuring his correspondence is here.
I always like to compare an artists self-portrait with the real thing - too bad we can’t do that with many old masters. But in the case of Matisse we can … great beard Henri!
So Sarko and his former wife worked as a team to bring him to the top - then they separated. Big deal? Nope!
His new affair with a former top model makes the European Yellow Press go gaga. But what’s the point of being the King … le President if you can’t have the hottest Mistress in town?
Once again we monkey watch the alpha monkey screwing another alpha. Sex is still the best distraction from the political process - a distraction that everybody can understand and relate too.
The political process dies somewhere in between speculation and hot gossip. Instead of carefully observing what the King is doing the public and the press are addicted to his penis and fertility.
It is the publics obsession with following the alpha pack that is their own undoing in the political process. If nobody would be interested in the private life of officials - and would be rather focused on their public and political life’s - our Democracies would be less shallow …
It’s all about politics stupid - not the penis!
Click image for more elephants.
Just wondering what the elephants thought about the young lady.
Another classic moment snapped by Maestro Brassai. Prostitution, Sex and naked Ladies have always inspired and attracted many artists. I think the idea of the Muses reflects that as well. Sex is creation, creativity is creation. Both can be highly uplifting acts with long lasting consequences. So every artist is also a parent - of ideas, concepts and eternal beauty …
Click image for more vibrant colors.
Ah, I love these contrasts. Matisse was never afraid to REALLY use color. That’s what I love about him!
Click image for a larger village.
This must be a weird village - all the people and animals constantly dress up or take drugs. Those colors are just stunning!
BBC News: Sarkozy applauded by US Congress
With Tony gone and Gordon Brown not as cuddly as Bush wants him to be - but a new ally seems to be more than willing to take Mr Blair’s place.
Here is a video excerpt from his speech before the US congress.
Music is an essential part of our human culture. Too bad we are loosing that aspect in our daily lives. Instead of sharing and listening to it together everybody escapes into his / her own iPod-Sphere. And how many people can play an instrument these days or know the lyrics of several songs (not just the refrain)?
A divorce is nothing unusual - unless you are in politics. Nicolas and Cecilia Sarkozy played nice - until he won the election. Now they go separate ways. In Europe people don’t care that much about the personal affairs of politicians: being gay or divorced … or being a woman doesn’t really matter. And that’s a good thing!
Either Mr. Chagall was constantly on drugs or this was the most wonderful village ever! Great painting …
A classic moment of modern surrealism. Maestro Magritte rules!
What is it with woman and their tiny doggies? A substitute instead having their own kids? Boredom? Or finally some creatures they have totally in their powers?
Remember when your bath tube seemed big and vast - a great naval empire to explore?! Did you ever try to catch your farty bubbles?!
Image: Jacques-Henri Lartigue
One of my childhood heroes. Just loved his funny movies. I am not sure if many people outside France really know him - but here in Germany his movies were very popular. Especially loved his Gendarme / Inspector of St. Tropez and Fantomas series.
So very different from Peter Sellers version of a french policemen.
Some videos to watch: Herr Müller, Fantomas trailer and a typical case of Louis madness.
More? Offical site
