Art · Moscow · Observations · Paris · Humour

I Am Being Painted Again

I am being painted again. Presumably they hope that on canvas I will behave better than I do in life. Serious people, brushes, an easel, inspiration. They say: “We need to capture your inner self.” I say: “Capture the outer one first, so that I can at least recognise myself.

A huge green inflatable figure stands on Place Vendôme in front of a mansard-roofed façade, beside black cars and a police motorcycle.

NB! · Architecture · Art · Observations · Paris

Giant green inflatable figure on Place Vendôme in Paris during Art Basel

The Place Vendôme, one of the most beautiful squares in Paris, looks like this during Art Basel. Does anyone find this an outstanding work of art, or shall we settle for the phrase "such times, such talents"?

Heritage · Paris · Humour

The manufacturer of the goods lift used in the Louvre robbery advertises it:

For when you next need to be quick. We will move your treasures, up to 400 kg of them, at 42 metres per minute, and noiselessly too, thanks to a 230 V electric motor.

Architecture · Heritage · Society · Paris

Monument to the Soldiers of the Russian Expeditionary Corps in Paris, on the Place du Canada, in the 8th Arrondissement, Dedicated to the Russian Soldiers Who Fought in France as Part of the Expeditionary Corps during the First World War, from 1916 to 191

The monument was unveiled by Vladimir Putin in 2010, when he was Prime Minister of Russia. At the opening ceremony Putin and François Fillon called the monument a sign of the restoration of historical memory and a symbol of the brotherhood in arms of Russia and France.

NB! · Museums · Heritage · Paris · Humour

Gendarmes Guard the Galerie d'Apollon, but It Is Rather Late for Borjomi

NB! · Museums · Observations · Paris · Humour

Doing the one thing forbidden on the premises of the Louvre

Museums · Observations · Heritage · Paris · Humour

It turns out that the rococo-style display cases for the royal jewels installed in the Galerie d'Apollon at the Louvre until 2019 were fitted with armoured glass, and that if the integrity of the outer casing was breached, their contents would automatical

It turns out that the rococo-style display cases for the royal jewels installed in the Galerie d'Apollon at the Louvre until 2019 were fitted with armoured glass, and that if the integrity of the outer casing was breached, their contents would automatically drop into a safe. The

Museums · Society · Paris

Louvre director met discontented staff, museum not expected to open before Wednesday

The Louvre is not expected to reopen before Wednesday. The museum's director, Laurence des Cars, has met the staff. According to The Times, the director's address was greeted with disapproving shouts from the hall. The staff's discontent began long before the incident. As early

Architecture · Observations · Society · Paris

Graffiti on Paris buildings, the cost of removing it and the question of fines

Graffiti in Paris has climbed far above the ground floors, and it is becoming a real calamity. All the more so given what it costs to paint it over or wash it off. And it spoils the view considerably. But perhaps, if one were to fine people for daubing residential

NB! · Art · Museums · Paris

The Gioconda Is Finished

NB! · Museums · Heritage · Paris

Louvre security footage published:

NB! · Architecture · Museums · Heritage · Paris

In the robbed Galerie d'Apollon, single, non-armoured glazing units in plain wooden frames have been installed

In the robbed Galerie d'Apollon, single, non-armoured glazing units in plain wooden frames have been installed. The maximum of protection is an "anti-vandal" film on the panes