Friday 14 October 2016

So far more than 14 months in Paris

I am not going to say that last 14 months of living in Paris was an easy romantic single woman's dream come true.  I have never been so lonely in my life, especially, sending my amazing and sweetest 17 yrs old daughter to 6th form boarding school in the outskirts of London, was downright traumatic.  I located myself close, I thought(since due to UK visa problem, Paris has to do),  but not close enough. I want to see her everyday after school,  which I used to do until last year.  I had purpose,  to make healthy after school snack for her,  drive her to her chorus practice and other school events and to her friends, going out to eat with her, shopping with her.

For the first 10 months, I lived in quite a luxurious one large bedroom flat with all new modern amenities and beautiful view in the Paris 11th arrondisement, a trendy, up and coming area.  I loved my morning walk to get the best croissants and brioche sucre in Paris and work for a few hours each morning.  Then, I made it my work to go out everyday and see one place,  or do one chore so I won't stay inside all day unless I am sick.  Paris is magical and incredible, especially in the more known center parts of the city.  However, even in the working class edges of Paris like 20th arrondisement, you can still find such delightful little passage ways and places.

11th arrondisement flat and my older one visiting
In June, I moved temporarily to a friend's flat in front of extremely polluted and busy street in 20th arrondisement until my new studio is being refurbished. I was unhappy with the arrangement since this is older, less perfect(however, charming and eclectic)place than I am used to, but I had to get used to it to save money. I miss my old neighborhood terribly, my patisserie, my few neighbors, the shops and especially my almost daily walk past Bastille to Le Marais.  My new neighborhood is smoggy and quite rough.  My bank card was hacked twice in one month(by local pizza store) which was a real pain to sort it out which took forever.  This happened, when I had to go to my daughter's wedding in Northern England with my mom and sister visiting(both sick) Paris so we could go to the wedding together.

eclectic chandelier of 20th arrondisement flat
art nouveu collections of the owner of the flat
The wedding was amazing and the Northumberland is one of the most beautiful place that I have ever been to.  It was a perfection. A massive gratitude to my in-laws.  They made this magical wedding possible.
Bride and grandma

The most of the spring, I worked on making my daughter's wedding dress and make invitations and things which kept me busy.  Making this wedding dress was the most challenging and difficult. But the model being so nearly perfect(please excuse me for boasting), it was easy to somehow put together and make it all work out ok.

In a few days, I am moving to my tiny but brand new(just the way I like it)studio.  I give a pat on my shoulder for hanging in there living in limbo in this old and large(it is a real pain to clean this place) flat. I can't wait to settle in my new place and prepare for my little one to come and visit her mummy from England to spend her half term vacation together like the good old days.



Namaste,

Solyi



Saturday 30 April 2016

La Terre, le feu, l'esprit

One of my favorite place when I visited Korea in 2009 was Korean National Museum.  I could say it is one of my favorite place in the world, period.  A tiny piece of Korean National Museum was brought to Paris and I was thrilled.  The exhibition on the masterpieces of Korean ceramics opened at the Grand Palais in Paris a few days ago and I had to go see them.  Just stepping in to the exhibition area at the Grand Palais gave me goosebumps just like it did 6 years ago when I went through the art of my country at the Korean National Museum in Seoul.  The works of my ancestors starting from the Neolithic period are amazing. What brilliant talents. I always marvel at French artists dating back to Neolithic cave paintings, but my Korean ancestors were as marvelous, both are intensely spiritual, but I have to say the Korean ceramics belongs in its own spiritual realm.

Grand Palais, Paris


Grand Palais, Paris



Bunchung style from Unified Shilla period


Bunchung ceramics


moon jar from joseon period

It is a rare chance for people in Europe to come and see the exhibition.  It has wonderful selection from 5th century to 18th century masterpieces.  I found this quote from the exhibition catalog especially incredible and am glad Korean culture is getting more recognition today.

'In the Korean peninsula, celadon was first produced in the tenth century, during the Goryeo period, after the introduction of ceramic production techniques from China, But Goryeo celadon soon began to diverge from its Chinese counterpart, as potters sought to develop new styles that matched the aesthetics of the Goryeo people.  The jade color of Goryeo celadon represents the harmonious blend of blue and green, softened and accented by delicate gloss.  Indeed, the sublime jade-colored glaze was considered to be the "best under heaven," according to a record from China's Southern Song Dynasty.'




Namaste