Expo Ecofuturiste: The Freezer - Renaud Vassas

Artist Renaud Vassas works in wood, bronze, stainless steel, glass or just items of minor importance. Humour and mockery are present in each and evrey object. You can read more about the artist by clicking on the link.

"Contemporary art transpires the biodiversity of the moment, in line with the naturalists of the 21st century, Grimaldi, Mariotti, Bouzou, Powers. - The 'Freezer' sculpture suspends the stata of my world for a brief instant: memories, meetings...a true ecosystem of friendship" - Renaud Vassas.

Expo Ecofuturiste: le Scalaire - Patrick Gibelli

There were better photographs of this sculpture but I couldn't resist the little boy. He didn't feature in the others. Le Scalaire is a work by the sculptor, Patrick Gibelli. Born in Monaco, Patrick used to be a car body repairer and changed direction to become an innovate artist who regularly features in European galleries. Read more about the artist by clicking on the link.

Note: you'll see a couple of ducks seeking shade under the sculpture.

'Je suis évolution et là ou tout devient possible c'est dans mon univers...' Patrick Gibelli.

Expo Ecofuturiste: Les Pirogues - Gérard Roveri

This sculpture is made from the black pines of Austria collected after the storms of 1999. The artist, Gérard Roveri, has worked in advertising, fashion and decoration, particularly in Japan. He has created frescoes in Mexico and in Gérard Depardieu's home.

His pirogues (canoes) are the symbol of a voyage from one world to the next.

"The world is like a pirogue, which, as it turns around and around, no longer knows whether the wind intends to laugh or to cry' - Saint-John Perse.

Expo Ecofuturiste: Impulz-tree - Saskia Koning

Saskia Koning is a Dutch sculptor who works with different materials and techniques. You can read more about her by clicking on the link.

"One of her leading themes is trees. These living creatures have a long history which shows in their shape and the way they have grown. They also hold memories of events they exerienced, children playing underneath, someone taking a nap against the tree, a horse passing by. These memories are represented in the bronze trees that are part of the Ecofuturist Exhibition. This is just one of them. The statues are based on actual casts from the bark of the living tree."

A sculpture by Saskia Koning was chosen for the 'Tsunami momument' in remembrance of the victims of the 2004 tragedy.

'I hope that people will look at trees differently, with wonder and respect' - Saskia Koning.

Expo Ecofuturiste: No Comment - Gilbert Casula

No, that's not my title - it's the name of the installation by an artist called Gilbert Casula who lives and works in Cannes.

"A writer and a poet, he was influenced at a very early age by the concept of geopoetics and Kenneth White's work. An inventor of poetic objects and designer of audio systems in which the word always maintains its rights." You can read more by clicking on the link.

Looking at this installation I have to say, I feel like this at times Do you?!

Expo Ecofuturiste: Pas d'Art sans vie, pas de vie sans Terre - Ben

'This bench doesn't have a problem'

You saw Ben's art yesterday - one of 35 artists exhibiting in the Casino Gardens. Here's another of his benches. I love it when art and life meet like this - life with the ubiquitous portable telephone.

Ben Vautier was born in Naples and lives and works in Nice. His work has been bought by the National Museum of Modern Art. Click on the link to read more about this fascinating artist who believes that Tout est Art (All is Art).

Theme Day: Street Mural or Graffiti

"Bench for philosphers seeking the truth" - Ben

Fortuitously there is an exhibition on at the moment in the Casino Gardens. It's called Expo Ecofuturist and features installations by 35 artists. Some we've seen over the past days. This artist has installed 7 benches throughout the gardens. Here is one and I'll show you others over the coming days. Ben Vautier, known as Ben, has a fascinating website - do click on the link above.

'If art is everywhere it is also on this bench' - Ben

There are 144 City Daily Photo bloggers participating in today's Theme who would love you to visit them:

Adelaide, Australia by Gordon, Albuquerque (NM), USA by Helen, Aliso Viejo (CA), USA by Rodney, American Fork (UT), USA by Annie, Anderson (SC), USA by Lessie, 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, Baziège, France by PaB, Belgrade, Serbia by BgdPic, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA, Bicheno, Australia by Greg, Boston (MA), USA by Fenix, Boston (MA), USA by Sarah, Whit, & Leyre, Boston (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Brighton, UK by Harvey, Bucaramanga, Colombia by Fernando, Budapest, Hungary by Zannnie and Zsolt, Budapest, Hungary by Isadora, Buenos Aires, Argentina by Karine, 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 U R us, 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, Cologne, Germany by April11, Coral Gables (FL), USA by Jnstropic, Detroit (MI), USA by Taittems, Dunedin (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Durban, South Africa by CrazyCow, Evry, France by Olivier, Forks (WA), USA by Corinne, Glasgow, Scotland by Jackie, Greenville (SC), USA by Denton, Grenoble, France by Bleeding Orange, Guelph, Canada by Pat, Helsinki, Finland by Kaa, Hobart, Australia by Greg, Hyde, UK by Gerald, Inverness (IL), USA by Neva, Jackson (MS), USA by Halcyon, Jefferson City (MO), USA by Chinamom2005, Joplin (MO), USA by Victoria, Juneau (AK), USA by Gwyn, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Edwin, Kyoto, Japan by Tadamine, Larchmont (NY), USA by Marie-Noyale, Le Guilvinec, France by ds2944, Lisbon, Portugal by Sailor Girl, Lisbon, Portugal by Jsaltao, Lodz, Poland by ritalounge, London, UK by Ham, London, UK by Mo, Mainz, Germany by JB, Maple Ridge, Canada by Susan, Mazatlan, Mexico by Kate, Melbourne, Australia by Mblamo, Melbourne, Australia by John, Memphis (TN), USA by SouthernHeart, Menton, France by Jilly, Mexico, Mexico by Poly, Mexico City, Mexico by Carraol, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Greg, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Mitch, Monte Carlo, Monaco by Jilly, Montréal, Canada by Douber, Moscow, Russia by Irina, Mumbai, India by Kunalbhatia, Mumbai, India by MumbaiIteanu, Naples (FL), USA by Isabella, Nashville (TN), USA by Chris, Nelson, New Zealand by Meg and Ben, New Orleans (LA), USA by steve buser, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK by Cassie & Chris, Niamey, Niger by Dinabee, Norwich, UK by Goddess888, Nottingham, UK by Gail's Man, Ocean Township (NJ), USA by Josy, Paris, France by Eric, Pasadena (CA), USA by Petrea, Pasadena (CA), USA by Can8ianben, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia by Murphy_jay, Pilisvörösvár, Hungary by Elise, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar, Port Elizabeth, South Africa by Sam, Port Vila, Vanuatu by Mblamo, Prague, Czech Republic by Honza03, Quincy (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Radonvilliers, France by Deslilas, Riga, Latvia by Prokur, Rome, Italy by Giovanni, Rotterdam, Netherlands by Ineke, Saarbrücken, Germany by LadyDemeter, Saint Louis (MO), USA by Strangetastes, Saint Paul (MN), USA by Kate, Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation by Lark, San Antonio (TX), USA by Kramer, San Diego (CA), USA by Felicia, San Diego (CA), USA by Zentmrs, Santa Fe (NM), USA by Randem, Seattle (WA), USA by Kim, Seattle (WA), USA by Chuck, Seguin (TX), USA by Thien, Selma (AL), USA by RamblingRound, Sesimbra, Portugal by Aldeia, Setúbal, Portugal by Maria Elisa, Sharon (CT), USA by Jenny, Silver Spring (MD), USA by John, 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, Subang Jaya, Malaysia by JC, Sydney, Australia by Sally, Székesfehérvár, Hungary by Teomo, Terre Haute (IN), USA by Zann, Terrell (TX), USA by Bstexas, Terrell (TX), USA by Jim K, The Hague, Netherlands by Lezard, Tokyo, Japan by Tadamine, Torun, Poland by Torun Observer, Toulouse, France by Julia, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina by Jazzy, Twin Cities (MN), USA by Slinger, Vienna, Austria by G_mirage2, Wailea (HI), USA by Kuanyin, 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, Wrocław, Poland by Loompi, Yardley (PA), USA by Mrlynn,

Expo Ecofuturiste: Poseidon - Sosno

Artist, Sacha Sosno, was born in Marseille but his roots are in Riga, Latvia. He lives in Nice and New York. Click on the link to read more about this artist. (Note the pigeon - or dove - who has found a convenient perch)

'The sculpture must participate in the great salvation battle of quality of the environment. The monumental creation should be visible for young and old, for the rich and the poor, for those who have culture and to novices. Let's leave to "Poseidon" the care to preserve our Mediterrranean sea. ' - Sosno.

Expo Ecofuturiste: Violata Pax Dove - Nall

This sculpture of a dove by the American artist, Nall, weighs 800 kilos. You can probably see the great size of this sculpture in relation to the beautiful old tree in the Casino Gardens.

Nall is a prolific and incredibly talented artist from Alabama, who lives in Vence. Do click on the link above to take a look at some of his work. Nall was one of Salvador Dali's disciples and the Violata Pax Dove is a motive he often uses in his work.

Expo Ecofuturiste: O ! Shilling (2) - David Shilling

Here's a closer view of David Shilling's installation. If you missed yesterday's post please click on THIS LINK to read about his work. This installation - one of 35 taking part in the exhibition - made me laugh. Somehow there's such a dichotomy between the luxury of Monaco and all these plastic items hanging in one of the beautiful fountains of the Casino Gardens.

'David Shilling's work is always innovative and he addresses light, space, joy and eternal optimism.'

The lady on the left has just the right colour umbrella, doesn't she?

Expo Ecofuturiste: O ! Shilling - David Shilling

This fun installation uses one of the main fountains in the Casino Gardens. The artist, David Shilling, is an Englishman, living on le rocher of Monaco. He's worked in many mediums, in particular I remember him as a famous milliner in London. His mother, Gertrude Shilling, was a much-loved British institution, with the press naming her 'The Ascot Mascot' as she always appeared at the Ascot races wearing extraordinary hats designed by her son. One year David's design outgrew his father's long wheel base Rolls Royce, and so the hat had to follow in a van. If you follow the link above, you can see some of the creations David made for his mother.

There is a sign near the fountain, written by the artist: 'Celebrating what we take for granted everyday...like love, colours and particularly water.'

'Either we leave the world a little richer than when we arrive, or poorer. Understand that if we don't leave it richer, one day there will be no world left.' - David Shilling.

Tomorrow - a closer look at this installation.

Expo Ecofuturiste: La Menace - Helena Drazewicz

Helena Drazewicz, lives in Monaco and works with Rob Rowlands on their installations.

'More than ever, art is a commitment, the urgency of the global situation that we express as strongly as we can with our materials and our style, an echo of all the other ways of fighting and will continue as long as it is still possible. The act of artistic creation is an act of hope.' - Helena Krazewicz.

Expo Ecofuturiste: La Pieuvre - Luc Boniface

There is a fascinating exhibition on at the moment in the Casino Gardens. Organised by the Monegasque association, Arty-Ecology, which is presenting works by 35 artists in this beautiful setting. Some are clever, some funny, some serious - all thought provoking. Do come back over the following days to see more and eventually, my own particular favourite - one that stopped me in my tracks.

This work, La Pieuvre (octopus) is by the French artist, Luc Boniface, and is made, as you see of strips of grass and pink rubber gloves.

'Live intensely without leaving any material trace' - Luc Boniface.

Monte Carlo Gentlemen - 2

There's a fascinating exhibition of art on at the moment in the Casino Gardens and I was photographing many of the exhibits for a series that starts tomorrow - do come back, it's on Art and the Environment.

Anyway, I was photographing near to these two gentleman when the one on the right called out to me, 'Copyright for me if you take our photo,' and laughed. 'Right then, I'll take your photo,' I said. 'Smile!' And they did. I then asked if they lived in Monaco and the same guy told me, 'Yes, we live in these gardens.' I don't think so! Later I saw them walking around the Metropole Shopping Centre.

Tunnel under the Rock

This tunnel cuts right under le rocher - you can see the palace on top. To the right is the edge of Fontvieille harbour. You can see a car driving down to an underground carpark - this is the parking area for Carrefour, the big shopping centre in Monaco. My car is in there. I arrived through the left hand tunnel - when I leave I'll take the right-hand tunnel which divides in the middle: straight ahead for the main port of Monaco and onwards to Menton. Or you could take another route that brings you up to the Jardin Exotique and the direction of Nice. The are several tunnels in Monaco - one for instance, will take you to the autoroute.

Monte Carlo Gentlemen - 1

Here we are - as per the request for 'Monte Carlo Gentlemen' - I think you'll agree this first one properly fits the bill: tall, slim, good-looking (trust me) well-dressed, designer stubble, sunglasses - bien sûr - and car keys, presumably for something smart parked in the car park nearby.

Will this do, girls?

Monte Carlo Ladies - 11

Three ladies walking along the port - the yachts are to the right of the photograph.

I've had a suggestion, by the way, for 'Monte Carlo Men.' Good idea! Watch this space.

Colours

Colours - in the pedestrian street just up from Port Hercule. Looks like everyone has gone away for the winter?

Monaco from the Moyenne Corniche

I was driving along the Moyenne Corniche the other day on the way from Menton to Cap d'Ail and stopped the car to snap this photo. The building in the foreground is the relatively new Monte Carlo Bay Resort. In the distance you see part of Port Hercule and behnd it, le Rocher, where you'll find the Palace. There are three 'corniches' - the Basse Corniche that runs along the sea, the Moyenne Corniche than runs along half way up the hills towards Nice. And then the Grande Corniche that is way up top and goes through La Turbie. And then, even further up, is the autoroute. So when you give someone directions, much depends on where they are coming from...

When I see a photo like this I realise I need a bigger camera with a better zoom - but anyway, it gives you an idea.

Scruples

We saw an orange tree in the pedestrian street two days ago. Here's another. This time in front of Scruples, the English book shop in Monte Carlo. Other towns along the French Riviera have English bookshops - Antibes, Cannes, Nice, Valbonne. Yet others have an English library, often part of the Anglican church. Indeed there is one of these in Monaco, attached to St. Paul's Anglican church and another in Menton, attached to St. John's English church.