Monaco Grand Prix - The Bolt Carrier

This young man's job is to deliver materials to other workers, such as those we saw yesterday. He's carrying what appears to be bolts (probably the wrong word) that secure one piece of scaffolding to another,

He doesn't look too happy, does he? Although later, he did give me the briefest smile.

Monaco Grand Prix - Construction

This is dangerous work. You can see the height of this particular stand in the small photograph. Click on it to enlarge.

There are many stands to be constructed and all are temporary - put up each year specially for the Monaco Grand Prix.

Monaco Grand Prix - Preparations

Perhaps the biggest date on the Monaco calendar is the Monaco Grand Prix. This year it will be held on the 22 - 25 May, with the Historique Grand Prix earlier - 10 - 11 May.

As you can see, the preparations are well under way - here the port is filled with all the paraphernalia needed to construct the massive stands.

This is the first of a series where we'll see how the Principality prepares for this prestigious event.

Same but different

This is the same beach you saw yesterday but taken from the other end and so, of course, facing the other way. Today we are looking towards Italy. The area you see jutting out to sea in the distance is Roquebrune-cap-Martin. The other side of Cap Martin, you'll find Menton and then Italy.

Beach in waiting

We've had rain, on and off for a couple of weeks - more on than off. But yesterday was glorious - so is today. This is Larvotto Beach at 9.30 a.m. yesterday. I almost felt I was on holiday...

The massive cruise liner in port is the Sinfonia. You can see another photo of her by clicking on the link.

Parc Sacha Guitry - 1

Cap d'Ail adjoins Monaco. There are no borders - it's simply a question of one street is in Monaco and one is in Cap d'Ail, which is a commune of beauty, charm and wondrous Belle Epoque villas. Here we are in this lovely park, which is next to the villa that belonged to the celebrated writer and actor, Sacha Guitry, who died in 1957.

"A man must marry only a very pretty woman in case he should ever want some other man to take her off his hands" - Sacha Guitry

Sacha Guitry was five times married, which might explain the quotation.

A view of the Cathedral

Taken from the port of Fontvieille, you can see Monaco's beautiful cathedral on le Rocher. A view of the front of this building can be seen by clicking on the link.

It is here that Prince Rainier and Princess Grace were married and are buried.

Aurora

Meet Aurora. How beautiful a name is that! Aurora is a professional dog handler from Padua in Italy - visiting the Principality for the Monaco Dog Show. She is such a dog enthusiast and when she realised I was interested in photographing rare breeds for Riviera Dogs she kept bringing more and more unusual dogs into an empty ring for me. 'I bet you don't know this one,' she'd say. And I didn't. She also introduced me to the dogs' proud owners.

Here you see her after the show, waiting for her transportation in Fontvieille with two Pugs, a French bulldog, a Griffon Bruxellois (front left) and a Petit Brabancon (front right). For a bigger and different version of the dogs, please click on the link above.

Aurora is the best sort of dog handler, enthusiastic, loves the dogs yet handles them in a calm and professional manner. Hardly surprising as she's won an enormous amount of Junior Handling Awards. She also speaks perfect English. Click on her name to see her website.

Noeud - Kim Hamisky

This bench - The Knot - is featured in a Sculpture Walk in Fontvieille. I love sculptures you can sit on, touch, enjoy.

If you like sculptures you'll be spoiled for choice in Monte Carlo - they are everywhere! This will be the 70th featured on this blog, although around 30 of the 70 were in the Expo in the Casino Gardens and so are not now on view - except just one, which has been installed in the Principality.

There are so many scultpures in Monaco and sometimes I feel like Sherlock Holmes trying to find them, because the powers-that-be move them around from time to time. No easy feat when you consider the weight of a large bronze.

The Knot is by the Vietnamese-born artist Kim Hamisky and was created in 1987.

Monte Carlo Gentlemen - 4

Eye candy for the ladies. Standing in front of the Hermès shop, which is just along from the Casino, how could I not notice this divine looking guy?

And if you're not into dishy men with long hair and irresistible smiles, take a look at the lamppost - it's beautiful too!

No fishermen?

Gone fishing! And who owns the rods? As you'll see in the smaller photograph, the family is having a picnic, with a wonderful view of the Oceanographic Museum on le Rocher. Just a little further along is where I stood to take the large photograph of the museum - shown HERE.

Do I win? Do I? Do I?

The Monaco Dog Show draws exhibitors from all over Europe. It's held in the Chapiteau (circus tent) in Fontvieille. Click on the link to see this beautiful tent from outside. Not so easy to photograph inside tho.

Here you see one of the judges about to assess the qualities of a French bulldog. Did she win? She's doing her very best to impress, isn't she? I don't know if she won or not but as all dog exhibitors know, win or lose, they take the best dog home.

Every day you'll find - on Riviera Dogs - different breeds seen at the Monaco Dog Show. Yesterday: a gorgeous pair of Bloodhounds - today a little apricot-coloured Poodle, prepared and 'Ready for my close-up, Mr. de Mille' moment. Just click on the link to see them and drool ---- whoops, that's the Bloodhounds drooling, not you.

'Grande Carpe' - Francois-Xavier Lalanne

This fishy welcome to the beautiful port of Fontvieille was sculpted in 1996. It stands at the entrance to the port on land that was once sea. All of Fontvieille was once sea.

You can read an article published in the International Herald Tribune on this artist and his wife.

Musée Oceanographique - 3

It wasn't until yesterday that I realised you could get a shot of the Oceanographic Museum from this angle. Just shows what you discover if you let your feet wander. I walked up steps and then way along the far end of Fontvieille port, hoping for a better shot of the Cathedral which is to the left of this building - and suddenly there, before me, was the museum. We'll see the cathedral another time. We are looking up at le Rocher, where you also find the Prince's Palace.

I've written about this amazing museum before but it bears mentioning again. Founded by Prince Albert 1, it was inaugurated in 1910. It's a museum of marine sciences and not to be missed when visiting Monaco. The building rises majestically from the sea to a height of 279 feet and took 11 years to build, using 100,000 tons of stone from La Turbie, a village high above Monte Carlo. Part of the museum is dedicated to Albert 1, who was a major navigator. Here you'll find his laboratory ships and collections of marine fauna including a skeleton from a 66-foot whale.

The famous Jacques Cousteau was director of the museum for many years.

In the basement, you will find the world-famous aquarium with its extraordinary show of marine flora and fauna. With 4,000 species of fish and over 200 families of invertebrates, the aquarium is now an authority on the presentation of the Mediterranean and tropical marine ecosystem.

And the winner is...for the result of The Great Monte Carlo Swimming Pool Quiz please click on the link.

St.-Jean-cap-Ferrat

Taken from just below the Parc Sacha Guitry in Cap d'Ail (we'll visit this lovely garden) here's a view of St.-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. If you follow the peninsula around, back towards us, you can see a more built-up area just at the right hand edge of the photograph - that is Beaulieu-sur-Mer with its beautiful Belle Epoque villas.

At Cap Ferrat you'll find some of the most expensive real estate in the south of France. Many famous people have lived or stayed here. Beatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild built an opulent and exquisite Tuscan-style palazzo, known as the Villa Ephrussi de Rothshild. David Niven lived here. Somerset Maughan lived in his famous Villa Mauresque. Others who owned estates here or visited include Charlie Chaplin, Sir Winston Churchill, Isadora Duncan, King Leopold II of Belgium.

And it still attracts the rich and famous.

Tomorrow: the answer to The Great Monte Carlo Swimming Pool Quiz. If you've not yet entered, there's time to do so!

The Great Monte Carlo Swimming Pool Quiz

If you are a Monaco Grand Prix fan, you'll know the swimming pool by the main port of Monte Carlo. A few days ago it was being filled (as you can see in these photographs) - ready for the season - ready for the visitors - ready for Sally from Sydney Daily Photo who will be swimming in it when she visits in June. So the question is - how long does it take to fill this pool? First correct answer gets a postcard from Monte Carlo. Results: Monday.

And the winner is: Thanks so much to everyone for the guesses. Well, it should come as no surprise that the winner is someone who knows about swimming pools, indeed has a blog about swimming pools. Of course, it's Sally from Sydney Daily Photo who guessed it exactly. I was told it took between 5 and 6 hours to fill and Sally guessed 5.5 hours. I have to say, had I not seen the many jets filling the pool and the rate at which it was filling, like many others, I'd have guessed days rather than hours. Some of you took this into account but guessed slightly below the correct time. Postcard will soon be on its way to you, Sally, and the pool is now ready for you and your family in June!

Tree trunks?

Villa Les Roses was built in 1910. The photograph below shows another entrance to this lovely house in Cap d'Ail.

Notice the gate posts above. They appear to be tree trunks but are, in fact, fashioned in concrete. You see this on terraces in the south of France. Instead of wrought iron railings or carved balustrades, you have what look like criss-crossed branches of trees but are actually concrete made to look like wood.

A glimpse through the trees...

This is such a typical Riviera view especially when taken - as this is - in Cap d'Ail, which adjoins Monaco. These same sort of views, same beautiful houses, same wonderful trees are to be seen at Beaulieu, just a little further along the coast towards Nice - or at Cap Martin near to Menton.

I had to take my dog to the vet this morning in Cap d'Ail. Afterwards, a short stroll with a friend who lives there - plus our dogs - and here, a glimpse through the trees of that Riviera view.

Purple Pansies

Monaco gardeners planting pansies outside the Casino and just in front of the Sky Mirror installation by Anish Kapoor. To see the full glory of this installation, please click on the link.

This beautiful garden is never allowed to look less than pristine and on the day I took this photograph, I saw at least 8 gardeners hard at work, replanting various beds.

Theme Day: Water

Tulips by one of the fountains in the gardens opposite the Casino in Monte Carlo.

Today is Theme Day with 179 other cities taking part. Do click on their links below to see how other bloggers have interpreted the theme of water. There are many wonderful and inspired photographs - do go visit.

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Adelaide, Australia by Gordon, Albuquerque (NM), USA by Helen, American Fork (UT), USA by Annie, Anderson (SC), USA by Lessie, Ararat, Australia by Digger, Arradon, France by Alice, Ashton under Lyne, UK by Pennine, Athens, Greece by Debbie, Auckland, New Zealand by Lachezar, Austin (TX), USA by LB, Bandung, Indonesia by Guntur Purwanto, Barton (VT), USA by Andree, Belgrade, Serbia & Montenegro by Paja, Belgrade, Serbia & Montenegro by Bibi, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA, Bicheno, Australia by Greg, Bogor, Indonesia by Gagah, Boston (MA), USA by Fenix, Boston (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Boston (MA), USA by Sarah, Whit, & Leyre, Brighton, UK by Harvey, Brookville (OH), USA by Abraham, Budapest, Hungary by Zannnie and Zsolt, Budapest, Hungary by Isadora, Canterbury, UK by Rose, Cape Town, South Africa by Kerry-Anne, Chandler (AZ), USA by Melindaduff, Chateaubriant, France by Bergson, Cheltenham, UK by Marley, Chicago (IL), USA by b.c., Christchurch, New Zealand by Michelle, Clearwater (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Clearwater Beach (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Cleveland (OH), USA by iBlowfish, Coral Gables (FL), USA by Jnstropic, Cypress (TX), USA by Riniroo, Dallas/Fort Worth (TX), USA by A Wandering Soul, Dunedin (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Durban, South Africa by CrazyCow, East Gwillimbury, Canada by Your EG Tour Guide, Evry, France by Olivier, Glasgow, Scotland by Jackie, Greenville (SC), USA by Denton, Grenoble, France by Bleeding Orange, Guelph, Canada by Pat, Gun Barrel City (TX), USA by Lake Lady, Hamilton, New Zealand by Sakiwi, Hampton (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Haninge, Sweden by Steffe, Helsinki, Finland by Kaa, Hobart, Australia by Greg, Hyde, UK by Old Hyde, Inverness (IL), USA by Neva, Jackson (MS), USA by Halcyon, Jakarta, Indonesia by Santy, Jefferson City (MO), USA by Chinamom2005, Jogjakarta, Indonesia by Jogja Portrait, Joplin (MO), USA by Victoria, Juneau (AK), USA by Gwyn, Katonah (NY), USA by Inkster1, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Edwin, Kyoto, Japan by Tadamine, Lake Forest Park (WA), USA by Azure, Larchmont (NY), USA by Marie-Noyale, Las Vegas (NV), USA by Mo, Lisbon, Portugal by Sailor Girl, Lisbon, Portugal by Maria João, Lodz, Poland by ritalounge, London, UK by Ham, London, UK by Mo, Mainz, Germany by JB, Maple Ridge, Canada by Susan, Marseille, France by Alex, Mazatlan, Mexico by Kate, Melbourne, Australia by John, Melbourne, Australia by Mblamo, Memphis (TN), USA by SouthernHeart, Menton, France by Jilly, Mexico City, Mexico by Carraol, Mexico City, Mexico by Poly, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Mitch, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Greg, Minsk, Belarus by Olga, Monrovia (CA), USA by Keith, Monte Carlo, Monaco by Jilly, Montego Bay, Jamaica by Ann, Monterrey, Mexico by rafa, Moscow, Russia by Irina, Mumbai, India by Magiceye, Mumbai, India by MumbaiiteAnu, Mumbai, India by Kunalbhatia, Nancy, France by yoshi, Naples (FL), USA by Isabella, Nashville (TN), USA by Chris, Nelson, New Zealand by Meg and Ben, New Orleans (LA), USA by steve buser, New York City (NY), USA by Ming the Merciless, Niamey, Niger by Dinabee, Norfolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Norman (OK), USA by Chad & LaCresha, Norwich, UK by Goddess888, Nottingham, UK by Gail's Man, Odense, Denmark by ania odense, Omsk, Russia by Nataly, Orlando (FL), USA by OrlFla, Oslo, Norway by Lothiane, Paderborn, Germany by Soemchen, Paris, France by Gordio, Paris, France by Eric, Pasadena (CA), USA by Can8ianben, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia by Murphy_jay, Pilisvörösvár, Hungary by Elise, Pont-à-Mousson, France by Tintin-j, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar, Port Elizabeth, South Africa by Sam, Port Townsend (WA), USA by raf, Port Vila, Vanuatu by Mblamo, Portland (OR), USA by NWgal, Portland (ME), USA by Corey, Portsmouth (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Prague, Czech Republic by Honza03, Quincy (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Riga, Latvia by Prokur, Rotterdam, Netherlands by Ineke, Saarbrücken, Germany by LadyDemeter, Saigon, Vietnam by Simon, Saint Louis (MO), USA by Strangetastes, Saint Paul (MN), USA by Kate, Salem (OR), USA by jill, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by Eric, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by atc, San Diego (CA), USA by Felicia, San Francisco (CA), USA by PFranson, Seattle (WA), USA by Chuck, Seattle (WA), USA by Kim, Seguin (TX), USA by Thien, Selma (AL), USA by RamblingRound, Sequim (WA), USA by Eponabri, Sesimbra, Portugal by Aldeia, Setúbal, Portugal by Maria Elisa, Shanghai, China by Jing, Sharon (CT), USA by Jenny, Singapore, Singapore by Keropok, Sofia, Bulgaria by Antonia, St Francis, South Africa by Sam, Stavanger, Norway by Tanty, Stayton (OR), USA by Celine, Stockholm, Sweden by Stromsjo, Stouffville, Canada by Ken, Subang Jaya, Malaysia by JC, Suffolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Sunshine Coast, Australia by bitingmidge, Sydney, Australia by Nathalie, Sydney, Australia by Sally, Székesfehérvár, Hungary by Teomo, Tacloban City, Philippines by agnesdv, Terrell (TX), USA by Bstexas, Terrell (TX), USA by Jim K, The Hague, Netherlands by Lezard, Tokyo, Japan by Tadamine, Toruń, Poland by Torun Observer, Toulouse, France by Julia, Turin, Italy by Livio, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina by Jazzy, Twin Cities (MN), USA by Slinger, Victoria, Canada by Benjamin Madison, Vienna, Austria by G_mirage2, Virginia Beach (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Wailea (HI), USA by Kuanyin, Washington (DC), USA by Rachel, Wassenaar, Netherlands by Rich, Wellington, New Zealand by Jeremyb, West Paris (ME), USA by crittoria, West Sacramento (CA), USA by Barbara, Weston (FL), USA by WestonDailyPhoto, Williamsburg (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Willits (CA), USA by Elaine, Yardley (PA), USA by Mrlynn,

Reina Mariana

This is Queen Mariana, sculpted in 2004 by Manolo Valdés, the well-known Spanish artist who lives in New York. You can glimpse, in the background, Botero's Adam and Eve, which we'll visit another day. These beautiful statues are in the gardens at the back of the Casino.

(Taken with my old camera - Canon Ixus 850 IS)

Dreams to dream

The port of Monaco: always something to see - always dreams to dream.

Tiptoe through the tulips with me...

Here - the tulips I was photographing when I got so pleasantly interrupted by yesterday's Monte Carlo Gentlemen.

If you want a laugh - and to hear Tiny Tim on YouTube - singing Tiptoe Through the Tulips, please click on the link.

Monte Carlo Gentlemen - 3

The tulips drew me to the Casino gardens yesterday but things pretty soon got more interesting. These two guys asked if I'd take their photograph in front of the casino. They've got to be Italian, haven't they? And of course they are. They're from Bologna. Lucky Bologna ladies is what I say.

And yes, this was much more fun than photographing tulips!

Expo Ecofuturiste: The Earth is My Garden - Olivier Roche

There were several works of art in this exhibition that I loved but this is my absolute favourite. When I first saw it, my heart stopped - the words seem to float in the air, following the shape of the trees. It's quite wondrous or is to me.

You can see in the small photograph a longer shot of this. (click on it to enlarge) And in the third photo - The Earth is my Garden - Open your Eyes.

Olivier Roche is a visual artist photographer who lives and works in Nice. To read more about him and see more of his work, please click on the link.

'It is perhaps through awareness of who we really are and the understanding of the universality of things that we can respect nature, diversity and others' - Olivier Roche.

Thanks so much to everyone who has stayed the course and visited all the exhibits. Tomorrow, back to everyday Monte Carlo.

Expo Ecofuturiste: Energy - Maurizio Del Piano

Maurizio Del Piano, sculptor, painter and designer, was born in Costa Volpino, Italy. He initially experimented with his first art forms through painting and later, through sculpture, expanding his creative solutions between sculpture and painting in over a thousand works. He prefers working with glass: the most appropriate expression of his reflection on light and his poetics on time. Please click on the link to see his website and read about and see more of his work.

Tomorrow - the final day of this exhibition and my favourite installation. Do come back!

Expo Ecofuturiste: Ode au Soleil - Hannelore Jüterbock

Hannelore Jüterbock was born in Berlin and educated at the Academy of Fine Art in Munich, Florence and Rome. In 1980 she founded the group of artists "Stall' and set up the "Ateliertage."
Hannelore has acquired a certain international reputation thank to her painting 'Lussback', 30 metres long and on display at the Munich Cultural Centre. The painting represents the beginning of her research on translucidity. She was awarded a Silver Lion in Venice.

This work is installed in the fountain opposite the Casino.

'The sun is our future. Peace on earth with no nuclear energy' - Hannelore Jüterbock.

Expo Ecofuturiste: Virus - Valentine

Stéphanie Materi was born in Casablanca. She sculpts under the name Valentine. 'A lover of contemporary art with a feeling for sculpture. She began to take an interest in the art of recycling and to experiment with creation using various materials. Her meeting with Patrick Gibelli (an experienced artist) brought her into her own. (Patrick's Le Scalaire has already been featured in this series). It would be a metallic and anti-conformist world that she would evolve. Her entry into this new world through the 'Virus' confirmed her quest to reflect upon the fusion between ecology and science. When the 'Virus' was exhibited, the contamination had already begun. It influences the senses of each of us, revolutionaries, to push each and every institution to engage upon a veritable mission to save our future.'

'If we all unite, we can guarantee an eco-future for tomorrow!' - Valentine

Expo Ecofuturiste: Installation Arabesque - Bernard Abril

'Through their simple appearance, the design of Bernard Abril's sculptures possess the enigmatic language of ancient writings, of muted words which force the ear to listen to the wind and the silence. Refuges without borders, they haunt us with wild thoughts. they are of another world, of another word, of anothr texture. Branches joined by careful ties, they bring to mind the mechanisms of chinese fishing nets in Fort Cochon, the small boats of Andes' Indians, dwellings in Bassora, the Kanak culture and...'

'Bernard Abril's sculptures span the history of our lives, and teach us to live in unison with our preconceived certitues.' Click on the link to go to the artist's website.

Happy Easter everyone!

Expo Ecofuturiste: l'Arbre Anomal - Aazclairicia

This installation is in the middle of the duck pond. In fact, if you look at the small photograph, you'll see a lady totally ignoring it and feeding the ducks - something she does regularly - and it looks as if the pigeons hope for a few crumbs too.

Aazclairicia is 'drawn by multimedia, his art inhabits space, and by so doing, man and his environment. He has had various solo and group exhibitions in France and at the Metropolitan Art Museum in Pusan, South Korea. His new philosphy of art beckons us to perceive the environment in a different way.'

'In order to save our water reserves, stop the deforestation!' - Aazclairicia

Expo Ecofuturiste: The earth is in our hands - Claudia Albuquerque

Claudia Albuquerque was 'born in Paris at ...l'heure bleue. In the contemporary world of image, Claudia cruises around on the fringes, animated by the noblest driving force: Love!'

'She studied in Europe and the United States. Her wealth lies in the dual culture she has finely accumulated in Paris, Monte Carlo, New York, Bel Air, Hollywood, London, Mexico...the greatest stages in the world. "Monte Carlo is the Heart of glamour in this World!" says Claudia. "This is where you land in paradise. It's Magic you're here!"'

Apart from the painting displayed here, Claudia exhibited another painting commemorating one of the five Living Memorial Groves in the city of New York, each with a clear view of downtown Manhattan, where the Twin Towers stood. This is funded by the Living Memorial Tree Foundation under the patronage of HSH Prince of Albert of Monaco, with the help and support of the NYC Dept of Parks and Recreation, AMERICAN FORESTS and the Municipal Arts Society of New York. I plan on featuring this work on September 11 this year.

'The earth is in our hands' - Albert II, Prince de Monaco.

Expo Ecofuturiste: Palm Trees - Paul Stapleton

Paul Stapleton was born in the UK and lived in Nigeria, Denmark and London before he joined the Leeds College of Art. He now lives in France and participates with his prints and sculptures in numerous exhibtion in the UK and in France.

'Biodiversity: posidonia is a grass just like palm except it decided to return to the sea. Will man force it to come back to land again?' - Paul Stapleton

Click on the link to read about 'posidonia,' which is what the artist has used to clad his sculpture.

Expo Ecofuturiste: Arbres Brûlés - Philippe Pastor

Philippe Pastor's 'Burnt Trees,' were created using charred tree trunks from the beautiful Garde Freinet (near St. Tropez) forest which burned in the summer of 2003 - burned by arsonists. Thanks to the artist's involvement with UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) they will be on display throughout the world.

These sculptures give a certain form of life to the dead trees. (Small photo shows them taken from the other side) Please click on the link to read more about the artist and his paintings and sculptures - a fascinating website.

'I saw the fires ravaging the mountains. I will not resign myself to their destruction and refuse to forget. I am appalled by such disfigured nature, revolted by the perpetrators of this destruction...this bleak spectacle is a mirror of society...' - Philippe Pastor.

Expo Ecofuturiste: Native Spirit - Elena Lindjo

In the beautifully produced catalogue that goes with this exhibition of 35 artists, this work is called 'Symphony of the Universe' but the sign in front of it says 'Native Spirit.' I didn't trim this photograph at all as the work seems to hang so beautifully amongst the lovely trees of the Casino Gardens.

Elena Lindjo is a Swedish-born artist who first came into contact with art and fashion at the age of 14, when she started modelling for Emilo Pucci in Italy during her vacation. She started acting in the theatre and was a finalist for the Miss Sweden contest. Combining modelling, acting, interior decoration and charity work for UNESCO, her life was between Paris, London, New York and Monte Carlo. Click on the link to see more of her work and read how she developed as an artist.

"Forever in motion, my paintings are expressions of energies existing in the Universe: a combination of rhythm and colour, emotion and shape, like music on canvas.'

'All things are connected in the endless symphony of the universe. Our beautiful planet is part of that harmony, so let's respect and preserve the essence of life that has created us.' - Elena Lindjo

Expo Ecofuturiste: 1er Secours - Alain Pérez

Alain Pérez is a "photographic artist who works on themes connected with museums, collections and objects relating to memory. 'First Aid' presented here is an installation for an event, a dreamlike space. The place of the human being as far as nature, time and the cultural reference brought into play are concerned.

Questioning the reality and the patrimonial representation raised by preserved animals, removed from their museum environment, regarding reality and the representation of heritage, in this case, is completed by contemporary creation. Thus this staging places the public at the heart of an approach focused on heritage, art and science."

'What if our presence on this planet depended only on our ability to dream' - Alain Pérez.

Expo Ecofuturiste: Le Collier - Franz Stähler

German artist, Franz Stähler, started creating sculptures in ceramic. In 1987 he won the 'Premio Faenza' for ceramic sculpture. Since then he's worked in other materials and his work has become more focused on the environment. Here you see 'The Necklace.'

'I want to draw attention to the issues of nature and to create new avenues for exchange' - Franz Stähler.

Expo Ecofuturiste - Time to sit and stare...

Lunchtime in the Casino Gardens. You can see one of the exhibits, Les Pirogues, in the background. For a better view please click on the link.

Meanwhile, when did you last take time to sit and ponder?

'A poor life this if, full of care
We have no time to stand and stare.' - William Henry Davies

Expo Ecofuturiste: Pédociraptor Rex - Franck Tassi

You can read much more of the sculptor, Franck Tassi, by clicking on the link - a fascinating website. Here tho is a small amount of his bio:

'His style of expression shows man as both a creator as well as a victim, and often a prisoner of his technology and even a slave of his own inventions. In this - sometimes unbearable situation - there still remains an omnipresent sense of humour, which he considers the supreme form of criticism.'

'Nothing is thrown away nothing goes to waste, everything can be recreated' - Franck Tassi.

H.S.H. Albert II, Prince of Monaco, is 50 years old today: Happy Birthday, Prince Albert!

Expo Ecofuturiste - Visitors or Locals?

There are more exhibits to show you but today I fancied seeing people for a change. Here's a group crossing the gardens. I love the swish of the lady's skirt.

I wonder if they are local people taking a lunch break or visitors. Certainly the two on the left are in business clothes, aren't they? My bet is they work in Monaco - probably live here too or just outside. People watching is such fun, isn't it?

Expo Ecofuturiste: L'oiseau branche - Folon

The artist Folon, was born in Belgium. His sculptures, paintings, engravings and posters have been exhibited in many prestigious museums. His website has a particularly beautiful introduction - do click on the above link to see and hear it.

'He is the inventor of a language that enables him, like Chaplin, to be understood by the eyes of all.' Ray Bradbury.

A UNICEF Ambassador, awarded the Legion of Honour, he has often worked for humanitarian causes such as Ecology, Human rights, Sister Emmanuelle, the Rights of the Child, etc. He passed away on the 20th October 2005 and rests in Monaco cemetery.

'It is never too late to save the future of our planet.' - Folon

Folon created one of my favourite Monaco sculptures - La Fontaine aux Oiseaux - you can see this by clicking on the link. In fact it's since been moved from the Place des Casino, where I photographed it, and is now installed in one of the gardens of Fontvieille. I'm looking forward to visiting it again soon.

Reading of Folon's humanitarian interests I think he'd be interested to know that today is the first International Online Free Expression Day. Nathalie at the beautiful Avignon in Photos has written in detail on this. Please click on the Avignon to read her post and how to Take Action.