Letter From Paris: Lisette Model Rivets The Jeu De Paume

Image via Wikipedia

Living in the 20th Arrondissement of Paris feels more like a village than the French capital I knew in the 2nd.  Yes, I love my new apartment, but I miss walking out my door to the delirious beauty of the Place des Victoires, ogling the people and windows at Colette's Palais Royal, and taking a brisk stroll along the Seine. 

You don't have to tell me I'm spoiled.  But as I tell the Lone Wolf, I'm not as spoiled as I want to be.  I didn't take my location for granted when I lived there.  I knew it was absolutely deluxe.  But what I'm realizing now is that I need to spend time in the center of Paris--at least once a week--so I can remember what my Paris feels like and so I can find my feeling of home again, because, frankly, I haven't exactly felt like I was at home since I moved.  (How long does it take?)  And sometimes even when I am in the center of Paris, I don't quite feel like I belong there anymore either.  I have lost myself a bit.  How many times can one lose oneself in a lifetime?

When our friend Mario emailed to ask if we wanted to go see the Lisette Model exhibit at the Jeu de Paume, I immediately said yes.  It wasn't just because I need to consciously make this at-least-weekly outing happen, but also because I'd seen the ads and read about the exhibition, which sounded right up my alley.  It was already on my "To Go" list. 

(Photo by Beth Arnold)

We met Mario at the Jeu de Paume on this Saturday morning when snow was falling around us like white confetti.  And the Jardin des Tuileries was even more lovely with the serenity that covers a landscape during a snowfall.  (And why is this?  There must be a scientific reason.)  The statues in the garden lie themselves down in repose with snow.

Jeu de Paume (photo from WikiMedia)

It was a perfect time to be at the Galerie nationale du Jeu de Paume, a museum of contemporary art that has fantastic photo exhibitions, because not many people came that morning.  No lines...yippee!

This was the introduction to the exhibit and sets it up just as well for you as it did for me:

(Photo by Beth Arnold)

I must tell you I was knocked out by the photos from the very first one and never quit oohing and ahing over Ms. Model's provocative and gritty images--intense and riveting flashes in a real second of time.  This is one of the photos I loved:

 

A Female Impersonator (Photo by Beth Arnold of Lisette Model's photo in book)

I was interested that she, like me, found mannequins fascinating.

Reflections, New York (Legs)--(Photo by Beth Arnold of Lisette Model's photo in book)

Photographer Lisette Model was still Lisette Seybert when she went to Nice and met painter Evsa Model there.  They were married and settled in New York.  Isn't Lisette Model one of the best names you've ever heard?  One of her husband's paintings is exhibited in the show as well.  I got a good feeling about their energy together, too.

We liked the show so much we bought one of the books.

Lisette Model book (Photo by Beth Arnold)

Doesn't it just make you want to run down and see the show? 

If you're in Paris, you definitely should.  And then a little lunch or a stroll through the Tuileries or along the Seine.  So many choices...so little time. 

                                                                          ---Beth Arnold in Paris

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