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One of the first sights one sees on entering the collections of the Carnavalet Museum is a collection of ancient stone sculptures, this one depicting some sort of goat-horned deity, that may be of interest to anyone reading Nanny Goats In Panties, a blog about all things related to goats, or not related to goats but tossed in anyway . . .
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This is the statue that appeared in Paris Through My Lens just a few days ago. Actually it was the shadow on the wall that caught my eye at first . . . (not the plunging view of a rather brazen décolleté . . .)
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The dog looks a bit alarmed if you ask me, although with the lady's hand on his head to soothe him, it's not clear what he is so alarmed about . . .
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The shadow is a little less perturbed looking . . .
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In a hall in the museum two mirrors were facing each other, creating an infinity of reflections, a magical dark tunnel disappearing into the distance. If I could only figure out how to get into it, I'd love to see where that tunnel goes . . .
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Virginia's photo of the angel was taken with winter snow for decoration; back in November some of the ivy had gone bright red for color . . .
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The courtyards are graced with carefully manicured decorative gardens . . .
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When we went back out, into the timeless streets of Paris, not far away this decorated door was calling to me to photograph it, to have a chance at immortality. I particularly like the bleeding heart in this one . . . and it isn't even Valentine's Day yet . . . But if you like, this is my Valentine's greeting from me to you, a little early for once. Better early than forgotten and remembered at the last second ! And it could also be dedicated to Jeff at Life Is Beautiful, simply because he likes images of beautiful women . . .
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49 comments:
Ah, BrOwen, you're such a sweetheart. Generous in your sharing of photos and others' blogs and sentiments and humour.
And as a bonus, each time I access the Magic Lantern comment box, I get a full-screen ad from Wal-Mart inviting me to spend money! However did you manage that, clever duck that you are! ;-)
I wonder if any of your other bloggites get this added feature, or if I'm the only lucky one.
I love the photo with the red ivy and the angel in the courtyard beneath. The colours, the crispness, the depth of field, and the thrill being above an angel for once! The dark infinity of the mirrored world is a little spooky (there's somebody in there taking a picture of us all!), with the nervous hound trembling to chase us down its endless corridors. I think I'll just go sit by the cultivated French bushes to calm myself down a little and contemplate what I might purchase at Wal-Mart.
The sculpture of the Angel Gabriel is hauntingly beautiful.
Work from home
I must be fun especially in a city such as Paris to see the same subject of a picture seen through another photographer's lens. I can see why the lady and her dog would draw you closer, the shadow as well as the slight contact the lady had on her dog's head, gentle control. The woman is bare foot. The facing mirrors open up the secret place almost like the Lion, Witch, and Wardrobe with a secret place. The red ivy is gorgeous.
Hi Owen. I just got back from my trip. I hope all is well in France. I've planned to go to Carnavalet Museum but still have yet to make it there. That is a really cool infinate mirror but the shadows are my favorite. They are really neat.
what a lovely sequence of shots and meditations...will have to check out the other blog now for comparison!!
I love the shadow photo and there are far too few of those mirror into infinity around these days so thank you for capturing one for posterity. They used to have them in all the old movie palaces. I spent long periods of time between shows trying to count how many of me there were in there!!!
Gorgeous shots!
And for good reason, that shadow is stark and amazing!
I think the image that sticks in my mind the most from this glorious selection is the vividly red ivy... magical.
..great post simply fantastic! :D
..delight wonderful, lovely pictures .. :)
It was nice to catch a glimpse of an intrepid photographer in the infinite realm of mirrors.
Jim
Nice, nice, this homage to Virginia, to the Carnavalet Museum, to Paris, to love... !!
fantastic post .
i really loved the images you got .
thank you Owen !!
have a great week !!
Very nice expansion of the photo thoughts, so to speak, from Virginia's posts!
Oh my, but that courtyard is so perfect, so elegant, so untouchable. The things to be seen in Paris are truly remarkable, and I'm glad to piggy-back along on your journeys, Owen.
Beautiful, artistic, creative post again!
Thanks for sharing!
First, let me apologize for missing your last post. I never ever miss an Owen post! Never! But I missed because I had quite a week, trying to balance things out. When I'm doing that, it's unfortunate but blogging sometimes has to wait. At the same time, I enjoy blogging, and I especially love to visit your site. So, on to the new...
No! That dog does not look in the least alarmed, Owen. He looks like he's swooning from that lady's gentle touch. His eyes are rolled up and he's about to drool. Yep! He's happy, he just doesn't realize it. And I do love the shadows laying against the walls... so much happens in the shadows. But my favorite pic is the one of the mirrors facing one another. I love your "infinity of reflections". Wouldn't we all like to dive inside? And is that you in the corner, camera in hand? One more glimpse of the mysterious Owen? Small glimpses add up to the whole...
Owen, you are an amazing photographer, an amazing artist. I love to come here and see what you have to show... it's always a treat. Have a glorious week, dear Owen! :-)
Nevine
Oh my dear Owen, how delightful to see your point of view as well. Your photographer's eye is amazing. Now I must return and get that shot of the garden from the upstairs window! And BTW, I have a photo of the "head" as well.:) We will have to meet and shoot Paris together one day. I would love that.
Merci mille fois, mon ami.
V
And I almost forgot, the day we were there, there was maintenance work going on all over the gardens and a big white van parked in front of the angel. I captured the angel on the previous Saturday by pushing my camera lens through the gate while the museum was closed.
Love the angle on the statue of the woman and dog and décolleté sounds much better than cleavage. The latter sounds quite threatening and intimidating.
The graffiti shot is an unexpected addition juxtaposed against the rest of the series with its stark black and white complete with dripping heart.
And the beat goes on...
You're blog is so much fun, full of surprises!
PS-I don't get the Wal-Mart popup, but do not feel cheated.
Really enjoyed this post on the Carnavalet Museum. It's one of my favorites. Found your blog via Peter's comments on Virginia's blog.
I love shadow art.
And intriguing tunnels.
Thanks for the link to Virginia's,,,you can hear the quiet in her image of the angel.
Beautiful post Owen, through your magic eyes.
Bonsoir Owen,
Bien vu pour l'ami Jeff et ton collage-hommage :>
Je suis touchée par la délicatesse avec laquelle a été "capturée" l'ombre de la femme au chien...Un mélange d'un je ne sais quoi d'aérien et de sensibilité...
Très beau...
Bises,
K'line
PS : j'ai voulu laisser un nouveau commentaire sous ton billet du 19 janvier et suis tombée sur un message de modération. Et depuis...rien !
Mon message a dû passer au-delà de "The Twilight Zone", dans un espèce de purgatoire pour les commentaires...
Now, look Owen! You really need to give us some warning when starting your blog with a self portrait - very frightening. Errr? It was a self portrait wasn't it?
Great photos again from the great photographer. Especially the shadow.
Laurie
ah owen ce coeur que tu nous offres en avant première pour la saint valentin, comme c'est charming !!!
et notre jeff, comme il va être touché par tes mots :-)
je te reconnais bien là, tellement généreux ...
merci et encore merci !
Merci infiniment mon cher ami de parler de moi dans ton superbe article au sujet de ces statues, miroirs que je trouve superbes et magnifiques !
Surprenant tous ces miroirs qui n'en finissent pas de s'avaler les uns avec les autres comme pour nous dire que le temps est infini ou bien que nous ne sommes rien, si ce n'est qu'une particule facilement absorbable par nos regards démultipliés dans les miroirs de nos âmes... Ouf ! il fallait un point pour terminer cette longue phrase !...:)
Mais dis-moi Owen ! Pourquoi dis-tu que j'aime les belles femmes ? En connais-tu qui n'aimes que les môchetés et les laiderons...? Bon ! il n'y a pas de définitions de ce qui est beau pour chacun et de même de ce qui est laid ! ! ! Mais quand même !...;)))
Au fait, je trouve que tu t'es amélioré en photographie ! Tes photos, je le redis encore, sont superbes et je pense que, même sans ton article ( sorry Owen ) elles auraient la même intensité si ce n'est plus et tes mots y transpireraient quand même ! C'est sûr que tu tiens à préciser ton cheminement ainsi que d'où viennent tes prises de vues... Mais bon ! ! ! ça aurait pû se faire ! Ne va pas croire que ce que tu écris n'est pas intéressant ! Loin de là ! L'inverse, fort heureusement ! Mais nous laisser parfois deviner, nous emmener là où tu crois que nous n'irions pas serait peut-être une bonne idée !
Mais au fait !... je reviens à ton allusion aux images de femmes que j'adore ! ! ! Plus que les images, c'est peut-être les femmes tout simplement que j'aime... :)
Amitiés cher Owen !
Et mille merci pour ton petit clin d'oeil !
Je n'en serais pas de reste... crois-moi !
Ciao amigo !...:)
Bon début de semaine qui a déjà bien commencé...
I enjoyed all your photos Owen, a picture within a picture. The shadows are fascinating. I could photograph statues all day, in fact I took so many last weekend in Paris that I am not quite sure what to do with all of them. They may end up in a file next to my cemetery photos. I will persevere! I especially like the photo looking out the window. Such magical places!
Jeanne
One wishes indeed that life could be able to take care that long and to provide that much friendliness as the shadows do.
A wonderful Tuesday for you all.
p.s.:nice to see a mirror of you.
Totally cool & impressive - the photos & the links to our (is she everybody's) dear V...I love the shot of the garden and the nice doggie shadow & the pretty woman poster. Very fun find for me.
I love the sculptures and these are really very beautiful!
Bravo, mon ami Owen! You've got such an amazing eye for capturing photos and you've outdone yourself on this fabulous post! Magnifique, cher!
The simplicity of the shadow is enchanting. Beautiful works.
I thought I'd left a comment... but it seems i was wrong.. (I've done that twice now!)..
anyway.. how mad is that feedback loop photo... spooky! It's easy to see why mirrors were thought of as port-holes by druids and things. and I love the shot of the dog, he reminds me of santas little helper from the simpsons :-)
more stunning pictures all round!
cheers!
OMG! Owen has figured out how to get into that magical dark tunnel, disappearing into the distance of an infinity of reflections, and is now exploring where it goes.
BrOwen--don't make me come in there after you! I think I'll send the hound in first.
Hi Lynne ! To your first and last comment here, oooffff, I've just escaped from the tunnel ! It was terrible... after revealing the previously secret existence of the place on Monday when I posted this, I suddenly felt invisible hands grabbing me and pulling me out of my chair in front of the computer and throwing me into the mouth of a dark tunnel which had appeared in the air behind my seat... and I was sliding, slipping, tossing, turning through an infinity of slippery chrome surfaces, until I unbelievably popped out the other end in the toy section of the biggest Walmart store I ever saw, where corridors and aisles of gleaming products disappeared in the distance, and no one was there but me ! I wandered for what seemed like days in there... desperately searching for a bargain on a popcorn popper, but I couldn't find it anywhere... it was horrible... but then I woke up this morning, was in my bed again, and I was going WTF ??!!!
Ah Louciao, I have no idea why you may be getting a Walmart popup ad when you open my comment box, but as I'm not seeing it, and no one else is complaining of it, it could be that your PC has caught a little malicious script somewhere. It's very easy to do, and I've had it happen with other blog pages, where ads have opened in a separate window, there are all sorts of unwanted scripts running around in cyberspace, one can't be too careful. You may want to look into a good anti-virus program...
So, there you go, I'm back, for now, although I may disappear again for a while shortly, stranger things have happened... Whatever you do, don't send the hound into the tunnel, if he starts barking in there...
Hi Prashant, glad you liked the Angel...
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Dear Techno, yes indeed, I've always liked the notion of secret passages to other worlds or universes, as in the Narnia tales... which were read to me when I was very little. Such early bedtime stories stay with one I think, in more ways than we know. And yes, it's always fun to see when another photographer has focused on the same subject that one has looked at already, no two visions alike...
Louciao, you're lucky, I usually get a horoscope pop-up when I comment here!! At least your 'pop up' is sort of useful...
Wonderful photos, Bro. I wanna be in Paris and I wanna be there now...no myabe I'll wait until summer.
Hi James, wow, every time I turn around, you're back from another trip... I think you must be very fortunate to be able to travel so often, and I hope it gives you many great opportunities to stumble on photographs waiting to be taken... I can't believe we are already almost Friday again ! More reflections to come !
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Hey Catherine, hope you had fun over at Virginia's place ! There's plenty there to dig into...
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Dear Pliers, one just has be careful to be sure to be able to get back out of the mirrors. Thinking about you and M. Pliers, hope all is ok... will come check shortly... be well...
Nadege, thanks a million !
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Hi Amy... hope all is well out in balmy southern Cal... it's turned frigid again here... I love good shadow effects. There is a quote from a Bruce Cockburn song called Birmingham Shadows that I like alot which goes :
"Under velvet trees, towering like the sides of a well
Before the empty two office blocks
Which we're admonished not to enter
Policeman studies us, finds us confusing
More amusing than threat
Moves on, bemused
Pavement spirals down ahead like the fossil of a giant shell
Along the kingdom's midnight marches
I wear my shadows where they're harder to see
But they follow me everywhere
I guess that should tell me that I'm travelling toward light
I guess something you sang made me remember that
I guess I'm saying thanks for that"
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I love that line about the shadows following him, meaning he's walking toward light...
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Hi Steve... may your walls be decked with plenty of red ivy then... it is colorful... and uplifting... I couldn't pass it by there.
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AnSa, I'm so happy you enjoyed this then... we aim to please...
Design Slinger, I felt like I was out there on the thin ice of those mirrors, one doesn't want to go crashing through, one could end up almost anywhere !
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Hi Peter... a homage to all things Parisian, including bloggers who clearly love Paris... like you... and Virginia
:-)
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Caio F., hola, so happy you enjoyed this then Caio, hope your winter is treating you well...
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Bonjour Louis La Vache ! Really love your profile photo, that is marvellous... I'll be by to look a little more soon, between the five blogs on your profile, I'm still figuring out which is currently active... but in the meanwhile... mooooooooh ! And thanks for dropping in here...
:-)
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Too hard to pick a favorite, I do love the study of the shadow. Very crisp as if the lighting was done with intent.
Those mirrors make me want to do that in my house.
Hi Deborah, you are very welcome to piggy back along any time ! From a distance like that you don't weigh too much... my daughters are getting too heavy now to piggy back much... that was one of the best parts of having small children, getting to carry them on my back !
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Blogitse... too kind entirely, but always a pleasure to see you drop in, hope you are enjoying life in Cairo !
Dear Nevine, I am thoroughly humbled by your kind comment... yes, that is a cameo appearance of yours truly in that shot there, but not very revealing I'm afraid... if you go far enough back in the blog there is a picture or two of me back there, but good luck finding them in the 800+ previous posts... what I maniac I was producing so many posts in the early days... was trying to get at least the tip of the iceberg of my life's work out into a public forum for posterity, as book deals don't seem easy to come by. ( :-) )
So you think that dog looks happy ? Wow, for me that's quite a stretch, but if you see joy in that eye that is nearly bugging out, I will acquiess... am thrilled if you found some sustenance in the shadows and mirrors and angels and all... oh, and my goodness, certainly no need to apologize, look at me, taking days to get back to you here, and not posting since Monday and all, me too, too darn busy with life right now, blogging has not been easy these past couple of weeks... but I am not letting go either, just accepting that I can't blog all day every day...
:-)
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Ah Virginia, there you are... I'm so glad you had a wonderful time in Paris there recently, it's been fun seeing where you got around to, all over from the looks of it ! And sure, it would be a pleasure one day to meet up with you, and Peter... will keep that thought in a safe place until the time is ripe. Very best wishes...
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Dear Stickup... I agree with you, I think "cleavage" is a brutal sounding word for such a tender notion. Glad to hear not everyone is getting the Walmart ads that Lynne is, I have seen that happen once in a while on some blogs, but I don't get them at present... And yeah, the beat goes on !
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Hi Harriet, thanks for dropping in here, (and thanks to Peter and Virginia then too). This was my first visit to the Carnavalet, though I'd walked by it a multitude of times when living on the edge of the Marais some years ago. Glad you enjoyed... do come back...
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Hi Babs, am completely happy then if you enjoyed this ! Will try to keep the surprises and strange stuff coming...
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Bonsoir K'line !
Aerien, oui, c'est ça, j'ai du volé le long d'un escalier pour la photographier d'en haut... merci infiniment pour tes mots qui sont comme toujours d'une douceur chaleureuse qui rechauffe le coeur...
Pour le commentaire que tu as laissé sur l'autre post, il est affiché maintenant... dans les options des commentaires, tu peux choisir de mettre en route la modération sur des postes qui ont plus de x jours... je le mets en route pour ceux qui ont plus de deux jours pour être sûr de ne pas manquer des commentaires laissés sur des posts plus anciens... Et voilà, ce n'est pas perdu, et merci encore pour cet autre commentaire.... ah ces commentaires... des liens, des messages dans des bouteilles sur la mer des blogs...
:-)
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Hi Laurie, of course it's a self portrait, you can tell by the horns...
:-)
You are too kind entirely good sir, and I hope all is well with you now... did you finally end up moving ??? A bientôt...
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Et oui Karine ! Le coeur pour le St Valentin, tu peux le prendre ! C'est un grand plaisir quand ton souris se pose un instant sur ces quelques centimetres carrés de blog, et quand tes dix doigts et pouces collaborent pour taper un petit mot débordant de gentillesse... bonne journée Karine...
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Ah Sacré Jeff... toujours une flotte de pensées qui découlent, je ne sais pas comment tu fais pour penser autant, si vite, si juste, si apte, si pertinent, si perceptif... oui, tout cela... et si drole... mille pardons si je me suis trompé en pensant que tu as un petit penchant pour des images de belles femmes, mais ces traits ici sur une fenêtre bien taguée m'ont fait penser toute de suite à toi et tes visages retravaillés tous d'une beauté indiscutable... Alors, tu souhaites que je laisse tomber mes petits textes ??? Oh là, faudrait que j'y réflechisse un peu... ce ne serait pas parce qu'ils sont en anglais par hasard ? Non, surement pas, tu as ton traducteur toujours, je pense... bon, on verra... je te souhaite entretemps que du bonne santé et plein de bonheur... pix pote... à bientôt...
Hi Jeanne, thanks so much for stopping by here... no what's that about cemetery photos ??? I've been known to step into a graveyard from time to time... hope to see them one day soon... And how lucky to be out strolling around Paris with a camera in hand, even if it's been a bit chilly of late...
:-)
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Hi Robert, you were careful I notice to distinguish between saying a mirror me and the real me... indeed, that is me in reverse... and if we can befriend our shadows, or those around us, then we are lucky indeed I think, yes, life should be so good to us...
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Hi Tash, if this is a first visit, thanks a zillion for dropping in here, many thanks, and glad you enjoyed them all...
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Trillian, there are all sorts of fascinating objects, sculptures, signs, paintings, and more in that museum, would highly recommend it for anyone visiting Paris...
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Marguerite ! Hi to all you good people in bayou country... glad you had fun here, as usual, am trying to mix it up a little... and I'd say, I hope there's something good on a burner in the kitchen right now, but I know there is, so it's a moot point...
:-)
And probably some good zydeco music going too... !
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Eva, I'm totally pleased with you feedback here... thank you !
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Hi Vicky ! Yeah, watch out what you say about druids while standing near infinite mirror loops, they may sneak out and drag you in ! Loved your videos from the other night, that's great, you all are getting famous on YouTube I see... you'll be rolling in hundred dollar bills and limousines any day now ! I can feel it...
:-)
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Ah SAJ ! There you are, slipping in here a bit late, I see, been out at the local saloon no doubt ! Yeah, I'd wait for Paris in the Summer... enjoy the end of your warm weather first. There's no rush, Paris isn't going anywhere...
Hope all is well in your corner of the world, sure wish I was there... it's supposed to snow again here soon... arrggghhhh...
:-)
In case you have not noticed
I sent you an email...
Don't you just love those endless mirror corridors that lead to infinity? Amazing things! I really like your photos with the shadows, especially the first one where it's the subject of the picture rather than the statue. I can't even see her décolleté ! :)
Mais dis-moi Owen ! Où donc est passée cette affiche ?...
Tu a trop fais de ménage...:)
Amitiés !
the shadow picture of this dog is stunning, i keep coming back to look at it (and to wave at you in that waving mirror :-)
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