Hilary Talbot’s passing interests and activities
Dec 1st, 2008 by hil
Remember the Monster Workshop puppets made by Paul Vincett, a 3D illustrator and puppet maker? Check out the cool new arrivals in the Monster Workshop adoption Store, and Paul’s new blog. Or maybe you will join the monster rug trend? ;)
Nov 25th, 2008 by hil
The motivation to walk is a lot less at home than when there are new places to explore! But I have been up on the local hill today. There are lots of roos about this year.
I’m back from a wonderful, happy 10-week adventure overseas. After 10 days at home I’m still finding it hard to settle down. We were in mostly in Europe, but also Novia Scotia, and lastly a few days in the US visiting my good friend Amy, whom I met online over 12 years ago now!
I’m lucky to be in Paris for a month, over half gone now. We are living a 15 minute train ride out of the city, and I love my Carte Orange transport card. Once paid it has basically given me free range across the whole city by whichever public transport suits best. It is really efficient for me, except when there are rail strikes. I gather this is relatively often - there was one day this week when the trains weren’t running.
I’ve been doing a lot of wandering on foot, too - through various districts like the M’s - Montmartre, Montparnasse, and the Marais - and others. The other day I walked from the Arc de Triomphe back into the centre down the Champs-Elysee, through Place de la Concorde, and Jardin des Tuileries.
Today I satisfied my curiosity about La Defense, the modern financial district, spending the afternoon there, looking at all the amazing architecture, glass reflections and contemporary sculptures that are dotted all the way through the buildings and walkways there.
Sep 26th, 2008 by hil
Here are some photos of the playful fountains just to the south of the Centre Pompidou, in Place Igor Stravinski. Most of them move, for instance the big lips make a slow mechanical nod, and others turn while spouting water. They were created by Niki de St-Phalle and Jean Tinguely. The graffiti snake was high up on one of the walls surrounding the square; I like that it reflects the snake in the fountain.
When I was there, aside from the coffee drinkers, lots of people were sketching, a bunch of boys were playing football, and some other kids were playing an elastics game.
Sep 26th, 2008 by hil
I’m seeing and liking quite a lot of artwork by Jean Dubuffet here in Paris. This kind of cave of his, called Le Jardin d’hiver, took my fancy, and I spent a while in it. It’s lumpy and bumpy and the lines don’t always go where you might expect them too. The little girl in the photo was really enjoying it.
This was the most intriguing sculpture I saw in the Centre Pompidou the other day, La mariee, by Niki de Saint Phalle.
Two very different rhinos! The shiny red one is by Xavier Veilhan, and is presently in the Centre Pompidou. The other is outside the Musee d’Orsay.
Sep 11th, 2008 by hil
Interior and looking out from a cafe in Montparnasse.
Painters finishing off a new coat of paint on a shop facade near the Raspail metro station. The avenue of trees in the background lines the front of Cimetiere du Montparnasse.
