FOTO FRIDAY: GOLDEN SUNSHINE IN A SUNFLOWER

FOTO FRIDAY is about a field bringing smiles to many even if it was planted in memory of a life taken too soon. Tragically Haley Fauske, age 18, was killed in a car accident 2 years ago.  With the help of friends, Haley's Dad, Matt, planted not only a field of sunflowers but a maze within it that spells out her name. 

Today I finally made it out to Westby to partake in the glorious sight and maze of sunflowers.  About 8 cars were visiting during my stay.   

Albeit many of the blooms are fading there are some still in their glory and it is quite a sight to look as far as the eye can see into  acres of sunflowers. Folks are invited to come visit for another week or so.

So enjoy the sunshine. 

Personally I had a wonderful time taking photos for other families creating memories.

 

What a gift to all of us.

 These reminded me of the students beginning the new school year. "They're all in their places, with bright shining faces."

And the bees were super happy too. 

Visitors are encouraged to go to one area of the field for cutting flowers and specifically for collecting seeds to be shared so more people can plant them and pass on their beauty. 

Lovely to say the least... 




Here is a link to a local news article IN MEMORY OF HALEY. 

OPPORTUNE ITINERARY CHANGES

One key to a successful trip is to be flexible and sometimes a deviation from the itinerary is a great idea. Such was the case when we found ourselves a couple of blocks from Musée Rodin en route to the metro station home. Too close to not take advantage of the gorgeous day and enjoy Auguste Rodin's sculptures outside in the gardens. It was opportune and re-energizing.

After passing through the modern entrance of Rodin's earlier works of noble busts, portraits and sketches, I was anxious  to be amongst Rodin's sculptures after views into the lovely gardens... It was fascinating to discover Rodin was self taught and practiced his art originally sketching at the Louvre. WOW.

 Only a few roses of the many rose bushes  were blooming but they were stellar amidst all the green, stone and metal . 

Mansion where Rodin worked and lived

Strolling through the tree laden back garden rooms the oversized hands and feet were inescapable, a major characteristic of Rodin's work besides their restlessness.

They say if you want to touch sculpture the artist has done his job. Rodin did not fall short... 

Returning the original patina is underway for the Burghers of Calais...

Rodin's life has recently been released in a movie filmed in Villa de Brillants in Maudon, Rodin's original home, giving his story credulity. The Museum was worried until the screen play was read revealing extensive research conducted by the director. Photo archives also helped with costume and artifact period accuracy. 


This movie was tackily advertised through numerous posters affixed to trees down a cooler shady back allee BUT I did learn more about Rodin.

At 40, in 1880 Rodin's Gates of Hell received Rodin's first state commission included in these works are:

 The Thinker (R) and 
The Kiss( below)

The Kiss

Rodin's life long partner had been Rose until he met a young woman, Camille Claudet who becomes his pupil, then mistress and equal for a decade. Upon their break up he continued creating with a fervor, placing his energies into his craftsmanship as it evolved into the modern sculpture of Balzac.  His work remained hidden as he worked to perfect it with drawings and many clay figures. (photo to be added)

 In 1897 he painstakingly unveiled the modern piece of Balzac amidst  public and conservative critique. Numerous artists including Miro praised him for both his art and poetry. Some refer to Rodin as the modern Michelangelo. What do you think?

Impressive no matter where  Rodin's work sits, it was extra special to be enjoying his art where he once worked and lived... 

SO WHAT DID THEY SAY AT THE MUSEE D'ORSAY?

Look at the floors above (to the right of the clock)

 one can visitors walking across the window hallways

Located by the Seine River the Orsay Railway station was built in1900 for the Universal Exhibition on what was once the central garden of Henri IV's Queen Marguerite de Valois. The Musee d' Orsay picks up where the Louvre left off in the mid 1900's specifically featuring the Impressionists.  If truth be known definitely these visitors's preference.


The building itself is a piece of art with an elaborate curved ceiling (see below) with a giant gilded clock sitting majestically at one end of the building. (above)

Magnificent sculptures don the center of the building while rooms of paintings flank its sides. The great artists of Impressionism and Post- Impressionism deserve the beauty of this renovated space with all its attention to detail including many of its original architectural features. Toulouse-Lautrec, Renoir, Degas, Manet, Monet, Van Gogh, Gauguin,Seurat and the special exhibit of Cezanne.

Through September 14 Portraits de Cézanne will be exhibited. But we were here to peruse all of the Musee d'Orsay. It was special and so much more manageable than the humongous Louvre. 

So time to share a sampling of its contents.

       Toulouse-Lautrec's The Circus

Who better to talk about the intricate Paris opera house model than our very own personal 'in country' opera singer, tour guide extraordinaire and trip companion Jim?

Incredible, n'est pas?

And when we climbed the stairs more beauty awaited...

Panoramic Paris city view through the clock's face

 And more rooms of the masters... 

One after another...

Cézanne around 1800's

And time flew by ... In my backpack that mini water bottle and bag of home made trail mix came in handy for a snack to tide me over as I sat  admiring the surrounding exquisite beauty...

So the answer to the question: "What did they say at the Musee d'Orsay?" Answer: Not much. These museum goers take their museum etiquette super seriously, NO talking. Maybe a whisper but reprimanding looks are given if one's excitement gets the better of you.