FRANCE: Strasbourg

The train station in Strasbourg is a phenomenon unto itself. It is a modern sarcophagus of glass enclosing a much older structure. Strasbourg has much of the charm of Annecy but on a much larger scale, but without the beautiful lake and snow capped mountains in the background. That said, neither of them should be missed, and both have a lot to offer.

Gare De Strasbourg

The historical building was built in between 1878 and 1883 by the German architect Johan Eduard Jacobsthal, and the modernization of the station by Jean-Marie Duthilleul was bestowed with a Brunel award in 2008.

HOTEL LE GRILLON – Special low-cost rooms for Hobbits.

An innocent enough looking hallway, but note the light strips on those beams leading down the hallway which are there for a reason beyond aesthetics.

Yes, if you happen to be a six-footer, and shave your head you could find yourself acquiring a few bumps and bruises over your stay. Now bear in mind the first time I nearly decapitated myself, it wasn’t entirely due to my own stupidity. Those light strips are positioned above the bottom edges of the beams and they throw off a lot of glare thus obscuring the view of the piece of wood that is about to make contact with your skull. I won’t repeat the filth that came out of that gaping maw after first contact but suffice it to say, it would have killed the canaries that were circling my head.

A lanky hotel employee demonstrates the proper method for navigating the halls of the Hobbit Wing of Hotel.

 

SHOPPING DISTRICT

 

 

 

 

 

PETIT FRANCE – Little France of Strasbourg

 

MAISON DES TANNEURS – Established 1572

In California 1972 would be considered to be an older establishment. Most of the buildings in the Little France area of Strasbourg are over 300 years old.

 

 

 

Auguste RODIN – The Thinker – 1904

Pablo PICASSO – Personnage cueillant des fleures – 1958

Auguste RENOIR – Portrait de Marie Le Coeur – 1870

Paul SIGNAC – Antibes, Le Soir – 1914

Charles Louis Maurice ELIOT – Les Vielles Gens – 1892

Vassily KANDINSKY – Maquette pour le salon de musique – 1931

Vassily KANDINSKY – Music Room

Ceramic decoration for the Deutsche Bauausstellung of Berlin in 1931.

 

Victor BRAUNER – Arc-en-Ciel – 1943

Victor BRAUNER – La Parole – 1938

Victor BRAUNER – L’animal moderne solidifiant l’autre temps -1942

Aurélie NEMOURS – Vigile -1968

Marcel BARBEAU – Rétine Mon Toc -1966

 

 

 

 

Daniel SPEORRI – Les Clefs du Reich de 1000 ans – 1976

Jean DUPUY – Non Non – 1973

The first thing I thought when I saw this piece was that it was a shame that this wasn’t in Yoko Ono’s exhibition when she met John. If it had been we may have been spared her bullshit, and we may have had a few more years of the Beatles. She lured John into her web with a piece of art that involved a stepladder and a magnifying glass hanging from the ceiling. You climbed the ladder and used the magnifying glass to read the word “YES” inscribed on the ceiling. This was the spark that ignited that ill-fated union. The “No No” piece by Dupuy had a motor that slowly rotated the right hand Non. This French bit of contrarianism might have been all that would have been necessary to save him.

Malcolm MORLEY – Wall Jumpers – 2002

Judit REIGL – Torse – 1967

Way In – Way Out

 

 

                                                       BARRAGE VAUBAN

 

 

The cappuccino was as good as the design of the cup & saucer.

NOTRE DAME DE STRASBOURG

So big you have to stand way back to fit it into your picture.

IT’S HUGE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking back at the bridge I just took the previous shot from.

GANDHI

Seems like there is a statue of Gandhi in every European city worth its salt. At least this one has his ears under control. The one in the park in Luxembourg would have given Clark Gable a run for his money. I like that they included his pocket watch in this one.

 

BARK – A Natural Textural Abstract

A MODERN DEPARTURE