Will You Pay $135 Million for a Small Piece of Canvas?

The most expensive painting in the world. Would you pay for $135 million for it?In many respects one could say that this question is almost like a misnomer on any given day. $135 million? For 99.9% of the world’s population the question may not merit a decent response if any at all. Simply because most of the world’s population are either middle-class, working class, living hand-to-mouth or are in abject poverty.

So that leaves the veritable 0.01% or less of the world that have the disposable income or wealth enough to splash out on a small piece of canvas. Now for argument’s sake, lets all assume that you and I did form part of that elite group. Will you still pay that amoount of money?

I can almost hear the questions coming through very loudly. What kind of canvas is it? Well, short answer is its an oil painting. An oil painting for 135 humungous ones? Yes and you better believe it. Not too long ago, Gustav Klimt’s iconic “Mona Lisa of Austria” that was looted by the Nazis went under the hammer for a whopping $135 million.

The entire art world was rightfully astounded by the auction price. But to you and I probably a bit on the sinful side of things. How can you justify the price of such a piece? Easily, I say. Forget the price for a moment. Lets try and place some value to it.

A little history sleuthing should help us on the way: Who was the artist? When was it painted? How many are there? Why was it painted?

Indeed even to the non-art lover, the mention of heavyweights such as Leonardo Da Vinci, Van Gogh etc., is enough to spark interest simply because the impact of their work is so ubiquitous in daily life such that no one can ignore the mastery and uniqueness of their pieces. I once saw a saying that goes ‘…if no-one ever took risks, Michaelangelo would have painted the Sistine floor!’ (Neil Simon, playwright) If you havent seen it, seek it on the web or in person at the Vatican, its simply breathtaking!

Clearly the age of a piece of artwork also impacts on our decision to splash out. Recently another bizzare auction took place in London. Dubbed the holy grail of vintage wine, a 1787 Sauternes from Chateau Yquem went under the hammer for a rather ‘paltry’ $100,000! Clearly age must have something to do with how we value collectibles.

Then there’s the lingering desire for exclusivity. Does anybody else have one? Indeed how many of the same are out there? If the answers are no and one respectively, expect the price to skyrocket. Notice how your average male makes an absolute fuss about having the latest ride in town when he’s the only one with it? Well, seemingly the same trait permeates art collecting as well. Amongst the super rich and the “old money”, its not the type or number of ‘horses in your stable” but rather which art pieces you have in your hallway! This is effectively the bling bling for the super-rich.

Finally, although to a lesser degree we seem to enjoy stories. If the painting doesnt tell a story, its rank will be on the lower end of things. Let it tell an intriguing story or better-still spice it with a myth or legend and bingo! Price shoots up again.

All in all, we can agree that there distinct factors in deciding whether and how much we pay for antiquated art pieces. But $135 million? Not me, for that kind of money I can find 135 charities at least whose operations will be transformed for a long time and boy that is a better feel-good factor than what’s in my hallway.

Copyright 2006 Socrates Olympio

Published By : The Author

How to Frame your Art Work

Tips and tricks on how to find the right frame for your original painting, art print or photography image.

Purchasing framed art to many can even affect the decision they make in purchasing the artwork itself. However art is fairly simple to frame and is relatively inexpensive. Many of the art frames can be purchased to match your dйcor and/or other artwork adjacent. There are endless amounts of choices when it comes to finding the right frame online or offline.

My personal preference is to purchase my artwork of choice without the frame if given a choice. As beautiful as the painting might be, the artist and myself might have opposing tastes when it comes to framing. If you can find the artwork with a frame you enjoy then that is a bonus. If you are purchasing an unframed work directly from the artist it never hurts to ask if they have a connection to get you a good priced frame. Artists that sell a lot will not purchase frames at a premium price. They usually have a friend or a good business connection that deals with frames, so talk to him or her and see if you can get you a discount. It never hurts to ask.

If you prefer to look for yourself then I’m sure you will agree that there are several professional framers in your area. As with any service or profession some are good and some are not so good. Shop around for the best service, best price, and look for value as you would for any other product or service.

If you know your frames you will not hesitate to purchase an ugly painting as long as the frame is worth the asking price. This is more on the lines of bargain hunting. So for most of us we will not be buying a frame to resell it for a higher value, we are simply purchasing it to enjoy the painting.

Below are just a few tips to help you choose your frame.

Size – Making any sized frame “work” with a piece one must ultimately control the proportions with matting. A wide frame requires more matting than a narrow frame.

Style – by looking at your artwork you will see how the coloring, theme and medium will most often direct you toward an appropriate selection of frames. Generally the frame should go with the theme, medium and style of the artwork. If you are still having a hard time with choosing your frame you can also use the dйcor of your room in which the piece will hang as your guide.

Type - wood frames will look good on almost any piece of art. We use walnut, cherry, oak, ash, basswood, poplar, and pine - all domestic woods - in our frames. Stained wood can be plain, carved, simple or ornate. And, many wood frames are available in lacquer finishes, faux finishes, and gold or sliver leaf. Metal frames, which work well with certain dйcor, or with modern pieces and posters is often a good choice.

Published By : The Author

Artwork for Label Printing

If you are just getting involved with label printing or are considering outsourcing your label printing needs to a professional, you have probably already encountered a few industry-specific terms with which you may not be entirely familiar.

One such term is “artwork.” Artwork is completely unrelated to your favorite museum pieces and does not necessarily refer to “graphical” elements, either. Let us look at what artwork for label printing is all about.

In the simplest of terms, artwork refers to the layout of a label’s design. That includes factors such as the actual words used (referred to as the “copy”) and any images that might be involved in the design, as well. In essence, the artwork for label printing is the complete “look” of the label, including all of its components. Artwork is finalized prior to the label printing company’s creation of printing plates or negatives.

Depending upon the label printing company with whom you work, artwork may be your responsibility, their responsibility, or a joint effort. In all cases, the label printing firm should provide you with samples, or mock-ups, of your labels before turning the artwork into a final product.

Label printing experts often employee design specialists to help with artwork. In some cases, they will actually create the label’s artwork after a discussion with the client and then submit it to the buyer for approval. In other situations, a bare-bones label printing team may require you to provide finished artwork.

Understanding the vocabulary of label printing is an important way to make sure you get what you want from the printer. Artwork, which refers to the collective whole of your future label, is an expression with which you will need to be familiar.

Published By : The Author

You Must Be An Artist

“…Meet this solemn question with a strong, simple ‘I must,’ then build your life in accordance with this necessity; your whole life, even into its humblest and most indifferent hour, must become a sign and witness to this impulse.” - Rilke

We are, all of us, meant to create. We are creat-ures, thus it is evident in the world around us that as a spider spins a web, a bird builds a nest, humans are possessed of a spiritual and biological mandate to spin and build a world of beauty and function. The human distinction is the ability to make symbols. Symbolism is the art of investing the world around us with meaning by expressing the invisible or intangible through visible or sensuous representation. This is the simplest, the least unsettling definition of art and creativity. From this definition, we have come to believe and to thoroughly accept without question that art belongs to those who paint the paintings, write the words, and mold the clay, into those representations of the intangible and the invisible. Art has therefore been divided into those who do and those who don’t.

The reinstatement of art into every one of our lives, both in our ability to receive and to recreate it, is to return to living with meaning. Creativity is, like evolution, like all growth and change, an irrepressible force in nature. Thus far, only humans have attempted to turn away from this call, and a case can be made that it is this turning away that is the cause of so much of our pain, suffering, and longing. This suffering, however, is the result of confusion and misdirection, not hapless circumstance.

Art, like science, philosophy, and civility, is our best defense against the insupportable weight of all that we don’t know. If we could disperse the weight among us citizen artists, come up with a more inclusive outlook, we could lighten the formidable load of ignorance. In the broadest sense, art is a response in whatever form it takes–an expression of the love and beauty and terror as it is given to us through the visible bounty of Nature—that pulls us further out of the mire. Creativity is anything that fosters that indwelling spirit, any creation or activity that advances the progression of the unimpedable energy of growth that is life. The replication of that love and beauty, the balm that soothes the terror, or the release provided by the recognition of that terror, is our task, is the way of art and creativity, a whole-some response to existence.

Whether you are a fireman, a pathologist, a babysitter, or a banker, you must be an artist. Must be means, first of all, the recognition of this as your identity, as in, “Oh, you must be an artist…” Secondly, must be makes it imperative. You must respond to the dignity evolving out of creaturehood toward a greater man, toward God, and remain fearless as well as awe-struck by the vast implications. In the meeting of this challenge, you will be recognized by a light in the eye of those you encounter, as extraordinary.

The commitment to creativity, like any other commitment, will become an integral, necessary, part of our life once we realize that not only does our art spring from and define the core of, yes, our own identities, but more importantly, that it is an expression of that which is greater than ourselves. Thus who we are becomes linked with the world, and it is given meaning and purpose by what we do with this link. Creativity is the purveyor of meaning.

We begin with a sense that there is something within us that must act and express. We begin by going beyond the sadness we have experienced at having this something repressed, discouraged, buried. We begin with the thin person with the fat body, the sober, healthy being underneath the addict’s skin, the lover inside our neglected hearts. We begin with the hope and the longing of the creative force within ourselves.

By : The Author

Hanging Art In The Home – 20 Top Tips

1. First decide what sort of impression you want to make with “pictures”. Do you want to be fashionable and arty or do you want to display family photos, nostalgia or personal interests? If you wish you can include all of the above, but you may make a better job of it if you have designated areas for each.

For example you may want to make a statement with an impressive single abstract piece in your living room, while in the hall or dining room you could display more personal items. There are no rules as such, but try to harmonise your displays so that they do not compete for the viewer’s attention. If you can try and rationalise where and why you hang each item. Ultimately you will get more out of each piece and your guests will sense yours to be an organised and methodical household.

2. Keep your choice of art in proportion to where you will hang it. If a picture is too large it will look cramped and suffocated, if it is too small it will look lost and insignificant. Many people think that if there is room for a picture to squeeze in between the mantelpiece and the ceiling it will work there. Not so, you must allow the space around the picture to become part of the framing too. All surrounding space must be balanced and equal.

3. Never try to save money by forcing a picture into a frame that neither suits it, fits it or displays it to the best advantage. A cheap frame is a false economy for you can end up with a dreadful result that simply looks “make-do”. Compared to furniture and flooring, pictures can often be thought of as of minor importance in the grand scheme of the room. This is not so at all. Think of a picture as the Tiara on the Bride or the Cream on the Cake. It is the finishing touch that will often turn into the major focal point of the room. If it looks denied its full potential splendour – so will the room.

4. Always consider the picture first when framing it and not the decor of the room. The picture will always stay the same and is a complete entity in its own right. Its position in the house or the dйcor of the room may change many times in its life with you, so make sure the picture is “right” in itself and is not dictated to by the colour of the curtains it hangs next to. Such influences can ensure the picture is actually diminished in stature by forcing it to conform with its surroundings.

5. Always choose images “you” like and not what “Mavis across the road” considers to be good taste. Certainly never take the advice of anyone likely to say something like “Well I think it will look good in your place but, of course, I’d never hang it in my house”. Have the courage to be guided by your own taste. Other people not liking it does not make it bad. Art is very personal and you should never set out to please others outside your own family.

6. If you buy a print or painting for a good price don’t allow the fact to convince you it only deserves a cheap frame. If you got a bargain – great! Now invest the money you saved on a frame that will really make it look fantastic. The value of a good picture is not necessarily determined by how much you paid for it, but much more by how it looks and what it does for your home.

7. If you have short or narrow rooms you can make them look longer by displaying long panoramic pieces that carry the eye along the wall. This works especially well along the length of a dining table or across the back of a settee. Alternatively you can use three to six smaller square pieces hanging in a balanced, evenly spaced line.

8. Another space illusion can be achieved by matching your framed art with a similarly treated mirror. Not only will this give the illusion of more space, it will also help to spread more light around the room.

9. Picture rails seem to be coming back into fashion, but think long and hard before you decide to actually use them to support your pictures. Long wires required to suspend pictures at the proper height can introduce ugly lines to otherwise clear walls and can complicate the overall effect. The best way to hang a picture is as if “by magic” with no apparent evidence for its maintained position.

10. Always insist your pictures are strung for hanging with a good quality wire and not cord. The use of cord can often ensure a future trip to the framer to repair a picture that “suddenly fell off the wall for no reason”. The reason is of course fatigue and rotting which will eventually occur in most cords regardless of quality. Also insist that your wires are fitted into the back board of the picture and not to the frame itself. This is for two reasons. Firstly, such frame fixings will ensure long term pulling on the mitres which can eventually pull the corners apart. Secondly such wide wiring will also give the picture a tendency to sway more thus hanging out of line. Central back board fixings are much more balanced and sturdy.

11. The coloured cardboard edging that framers use to surround a picture when framing is called a Mount, Mat or Pass Pa Tu. Always try to include such a feature when framing a print or water colour. In truth it is often an essential component in the frames structure, used by the framer to hold the picture in place. However, it also provides another dynamic to the overall look, keeps your print away from the glass and when used properly, protects your print from any acidity in the frame that may cause damage over the years. Photographs especially benefit from a Mount as when placed against glass can often stick or give the appearance of wet patches which are at least, very unsightly.

12. The terms “Portrait” and “Landscape” are more accurately applied to the attitude of the picture, that is, “Tall” or “Wide” rather than to the picture content. A portrait does not necessarily have to be a picture of a person any more than a landscape has to feature fields and trees etc.

13. Always insist on a wooden frame as opposed to a “composite” which will be made from extruded and pressed plastic. The latter may be cheaper and lighter but they are usually hard to join securely and will often show gaps at the mitres. Larger pictures will often bow over time and require re-framing. While often very attractive, they are not the best investment in my opinion.

14. When framing family pictures consider placing more than one in each frame. Modern mount cutting equipment is computerised and a good quality framer will have such equipment to enable him to produce almost anything you ask for. It will save money too. Displaying three 8” x 10” photos in one frame can cost up to a third less than it will cost to frame them individually.

15. Non reflective Glass will usually cost you up to double the price of regular 2mm float glass in your frames. However, it will cut down glare by up to 80% and reduce the damage to your art from UV light by around 70%. Usually, after you choose non reflective glass once it is unlikely you will ever go back to the cheaper alternative.

16. If you are buying an Oil Painting stick to these two rules: Buy what you like and spend what you can afford. Never buy as an investment as in 99% of cases – it won’t be. Make sure the picture is an original painted by one artist and don’t be fooled by the factory painted originals from the Far East. They often look good and are okay to buy so long as you know what you are getting for your money. The “original” you fall in love with could be just one of hundreds that look exactly the same painted on a conveyer belt principle.

17. Try and avoid fancy baroque style gold frames “unless” they suit your decor. Elaborate or fancy frames take attention away from the picture itself, the important part. The modern way is simple straight lines with more attention to clever mounting than fancy frames. Your framer will advise you.

18. Beware of Fads! Wacky art may look great when you first see it, but how quickly might it become out dated? If you are fashion conscious you must either be prepared to spend your money chasing the “latest thing” or preferably choose more carefully, selecting items that won’t date so fast. Abstracts are often good at deflecting the passage of time but choose a good one, some would say “anyone could paint that” but believe me – they can’t!

19. We’ve all seen them, those clever pictures that light up, dazzle us with flowing waterfalls, sparkling backgrounds, foil images often purchased from salespeople at the door. Well, they all fall into one category – Junk. The best advice when considering buying something along these lines is – Don’t!

20. Take a look at the old pictures you have in your home right now. If you are thinking of getting rid of them – ask yourself why? Do you hate the picture itself or has the whole ensemble simply started to look tired or tatty? Very often the existing pictures in your home are exactly the new thing you are looking for, they just need smartening up.

A new frame, clean glass and a different mount can make all the difference and provide something both new and familiar you will be very happy with.

By : The Author

Framing Your Art Work

Tips and tricks on how to find the right frame for your original painting, art print or photography image.

Purchasing framed art to many can even affect the decision they make in purchasing the artwork itself. However art is fairly simple to frame and is relatively inexpensive. Many of the art frames can be purchased to match your dйcor and/or other artwork adjacent. There are endless amounts of choices when it comes to finding the right frame online or offline.
My personal preference is to purchase my artwork of choice without the frame if given a choice. As beautiful as the painting might be, the artist and myself might have opposing tastes when it comes to framing. If you can find the artwork with a frame you enjoy then that is a bonus. If you are purchasing an unframed work directly from the artist it never hurts to ask if they have a connection to get you a good priced frame. Artists that sell a lot will not purchase frames at a premium price. They usually have a friend or a good business connection that deals with frames, so talk to him or her and see if you can get you a discount. It never hurts to ask.

If you prefer to look for yourself then I’m sure you will agree that there are several professional framers in your area. As with any service or profession some are good and some are not so good. Shop around for the best service, best price, and look for value as you would for any other product or service.
If you know your frames you will not hesitate to purchase an ugly painting as long as the frame is worth the asking price. This is more on the lines of bargain hunting. So for most of us we will not be buying a frame to resell it for a higher value, we are simply purchasing it to enjoy the painting.

Below are just a few tips to help you choose your frame.

Size – Making any sized frame “work” with a piece one must ultimately control the proportions with matting. A wide frame requires more matting than a narrow frame.

Style – by looking at your artwork you will see how the coloring, theme and medium will most often direct you toward an appropriate selection of frames. Generally the frame should go with the theme, medium and style of the artwork. If you are still having a hard time with choosing your frame you can also use the dйcor of your room in which the piece will hang as your guide.

Type of wood frames will look good on almost any piece of art. We use walnut, cherry, oak, ash, basswood, poplar, and pine - all domestic woods - in our frames. Stained wood can be plain, carved, simple or ornate. And, many wood frames are available in lacquer finishes, faux finishes, and gold or sliver leaf. Metal frames, which work well with certain dйcor, or with modern pieces and posters is often a good choice.

By : The Author

Find Timeless Jewelry That Suit You

Accessories could make or break a look so it is really important to know all that you could about wearing the proper and acceptable accessories to go with a certain outfit. Jewelry is a staple in a woman’s closet and as such, it is very important for a girl to know the best time is to wear it.

Choose Appropriate Jewelry

Three things are to be considered if you are buying jewelry and these are – age, height and built. The following are the usual jewelry tips in choosing the right one for you.

• Just like with clothes, there are certain accessories that only women of a certain age can pull off. It’s the same with mini-skirts, once you get past the age of 30; it’s not really a good idea to be wearing one. With jewelry, flashy and heavy dangling earrings might not look good on a woman past 60.

• A teenager who would wear huge deep ruby red earrings wouldn’t look her age. But don’t take this advice seriously, there's a time for experimentation. If you see that a piece of jewelry looks good on you, then no matter what – wear it!

• If you have are heavy to medium built, avoid using tiny and slim jewelry. It goes with necklace and earrings. Go for the heavy chain designs and those big loop earrings.

Qualities To Look For

• If you want timeless jewelry - and you probably do, stick to neutral stones and gems and stay away from the flashy ones. Pearls
are always neutral and are even said to bring out the beauty of a woman’s face. You can never go wrong with pearls and it’s something that your teenage daughter or your grandmother can wear. Just make sure that you check the size of the pearl, bigger pearls compliment the more mature women.

• If you have a choice with the cut of your ring, then make sure that it suits you. Again the key is to find a balance with the jewelry so that it wouldn’t appear to gaudy and inappropriate for certain events.

• A ring is a subtle fashion statement but make sure that the jewelry still stands out to be appreciated. Try to stick to emerald or princess cut when it comes to diamond. Stay away from the more fancy cuts like the marquis and the pear-shaped. These cuts are more seasonal and subject to people’s varying and changing taste while square-shaped cuts like the princess and emerald cuts are classic and timeless.

• If you want jewelry that is truly timeless, then try to find one that is set in everlasting materials like platinum and white gold. Yellow gold is a little difficult to pull off and is also seasonal.

• Most jewelry comes in a set of rings, necklaces, bracelets and earrings. If you want a simple guideline, then you can wear an earrings-bracelet combination or choose to have a necklace-ring combination. Just make sure that the stones and set of the jewelry is appropriate for the occasion. If you are going to work, then tone down on jewelry, some people might find this excessive and extravagant.

By : Benedict Smythe

Re-Published By : The Author

Jewellery Making Using Precious Metal Clay (PMC)

In the 1990’s scientists in Japan developed a combination of binders and fine metal particles to create a material with the malleable properties of modelling clay, known as Precious Metal Clay (PMC). This product is now available to the jewellery making industry and to hobbyists as well.

PMC is also commonly known as ‘Silver Clay’ which, when heated, turns into pure silver. The binder in the material holds the silver particles together. When fired like normal modelling clay, the binder burns away, allowing the silver particles to bond and form a solid piece of pure silver. The beauty of Silver Clay is that it can be easily used at home with just a few specialist pieces of equipment, and can bring a whole new dimension to your jewellery making techniques.

Since its initial development, Silver Clay has undergone a transformation, making it easier than ever to use. Early examples of the clay needed to be fired at very high temperatures, requiring a kiln to complete the process. Modern metal clays are now capable of being fired in a common kitchen oven or even with a gas blowtorch. Although a kiln is not strictly necessary with modern materials, it is still a useful jewellery workshop item to have, as it enables the user to control the temperature of the firing accurately. Too high and the silver will melt into a blob. Two low and the binder will not burn off completely, leaving the final piece weak.

The early PMC suffered from one major drawback – shrinkage. Modern metal clays are now much more resistant to shrinking during the firing process, making them easier to manipulate into far more delicate and complex patterns. Acceptable levels of shrinkage for modern materials are between 10-15%, depending on the brand.

Metal clay can be thinned with water to make a paste that can be used to join elements, repair cracks and use as a surface texture. Because the clay is very dense, just stirring in additional water will not thin the mixture. The medium has to be mixed, rather like adding thinner to oil paint, with a palette knife. Once the required consistency has been reached, allow the mixture to ‘rest’ in an airtight container for a few hours before use.

Metal clay is perfect for developing texture in a piece, and this can be achieved by simply pressing the pattern into the surface of the clay. Patterned rollers, even leaves or lace can be used to achieve a delicate finish on the surface of the silver piece.

Firing temperatures for the clay are around 1500 degrees F, which is applicable for most types of metal clays. Firing time is around ten minutes, making the use of a small kiln the optimum choice for firing processes.

Once fired, the metal can be soldered, filed, sanded and polished like any other metal, but it is advisable to burnish the surface first to compact the surface structure. Once finished, the piece can be worn like any other piece of silver jewellery.

Silver clay is widely available from jewellery and craft suppliers, the two main brands being Precious Metal Clay (PMC) and Art Clay Silver. Gold clay is available, but its price is prohibitively expensive for novice users. The silver clay is a good starting point when exploring this versatile medium.

By : Adam Hunter

Re-Published By : The Author

What is the oldest bar in Paris?

French people love drinking and eating out. Paris overflows with bars, wine bars, cafйs, bistros and restaurants. Tons of fun. But which and where is the oldest one?

Let’s begin by wandering down rue Mazarine from the Odйon square. Bingo? We almost immediately come on Le Procope, where a plaque affirms it is “the oldest cafй in the world”.

It opened in 1686, mainly to offer coffee. This beverage’s fashion had been recently imported from Austria - the Viennese got their caffeine zonks from the Turks during a lull in the Ottoman siege of their city ca. 1623.

Voltaire and… God

The Cafй Procope was an early favorite rendez-vous of actors from the Comйdie Franзaise - the national theatrical company, then situated nearby- and later, during the turbulent pre-Revolutionary mid-18th century, of Encylopaedists (such as Diderot and D’Alembert) and other non-conformist thinkers, who had – this was still during the reign of Louis XV – to be careful with what they spouted in public.
Voltaire recounts that one day, he and a host of like-minded philosophers wanted to discuss a very thorny issue around a cup of coffee at Le Procope: does God exist? They coded “God” into Monsieur Nйant (“Mister Nothing”) and the wrangling went on for several hours.
At a nearby table sat a gentleman who had time to read his newspaper several times over. Then, out of patience, he stood up and came over to the philosophers. “Excuse me, Messieurs, you have been discussing Monsieur Nйant. Could you please relieve my curiosity and tell me who he is?” According to Voltaire, the answer was shot back with no delay: “Yes, of course! He is a police spy – DO YOU KNOW HIM?”

There is a problem with the Le Procope’s claim, however. The owner, Mr. Procope, born in Palermo under the name Procoppio dei Cotelli, had already worked as a waiter at another Parisian cafй before launching his own! The “first in the world”? Sorry… Unless we’re talking about the earliest still extant.

But then there are other candidates.

Treasures of Paris islands

Another site to visit is Ile St-Louis, an island on the river Seine, which was built basically between 1613 and 1700.

Our first find is Les Anysetiers du Roy (The King’s aniseed liqueur makers), a restaurant located at No. 61 rue St-Louis-en-l’Isle. Our second find is Le Franc-Pinot, a well-known jazz club located at No. 1 Quai de Bourbon.

Both are indeed Procope contemporaries, and have been serving eats and drinks since they were founded in the 17th century.

A thought nags the tavern researcher, however: none before the 17th century??? Impossible!!

Fifteenth century poet Franзois Villon did indeed dedicate “tout aux tavernes et aux filles” (“everything to taverns and girls.”). And a listing of taverners dating from 1457 A.D. counts some 200 full-time professionals and another hundred occasionals.

A famous tavern of the time was the Pomme de Pin (Pinecone), on Ile de la Citй (the second island in the center of Paris). It survived until the mid-1800s when Paris Prefect Haussmann razed it to make more room for the Hфtel Dieu hospital adjacent to Notre Dame Cathedral (see: http://www.paris-eiffel-tower-news.com/paris-stories/paris-story-hotel-dieu-hospital.htm).

Remnants of the 19th Century

Hmm… Ancient Ile de la Citй looks a good place for more fieldwork.

Systematic research reveals that today’s taverns around Notre Dame all date from the 19th century period of Haussmann’s urban cleanup.

Ah, but wait. Let’s take a look down an authentically quaint sidestreet on Ile de la Citй, rue de la Colombe (The Dove street).

We come at No. 4 upon the Rйserve de Quasimodo, a wineshop-cum-eatery located in the old building already described in my piece titled What And Where Is The Oldest House in Paris?(see:http://www.paris-eiffel-tower-news.com/paris-stories/paris-story-oldest-house.htm)

The Rйserve de Quasimodo pretty much ignores (although not scorning) the tourist hordes around nearby Notre Dame Cathedral. Noon and night it serves scrumptious and affordable traditional French fares, accompanied by vintner-supplied wines. And it offers regular evening supper shows enlivened by oral culture (“Old Paris Stories”, “Tales from Brittany”), magicians, a “pocket theater” group, etc.
Prior to that, in 1950, it was bought by Austro-American illustrator Ludwig Bemelmens, best known for his cartoons in The New Yorker and his Madeline children’s album series.

A photo from 1869 proves the place was then a wine-bar and wineshop.

A Foiled Suicide

Skipping back a century-and-a-half from then, right around 1719, we come to a legend about Cartouche, whose hangout here was the St Nicolas Tavern, a predecessor of today’s Rйserve de Quasimodo. Cartouche was the ring-leader of a pickpocket gang – that’s documented, since he was executed in 1721.

The legend: Cartouche and gang were “working” the popular and crowded Pont-Neuf bridge one day in 1719, when all of a sudden a well-dressed gentleman leapt up onto the Bridge’s parapet.
“Hang on, there, Sir,” Cartouche is said to have shouted, pulling the fellow back down from a clear suicide attempt. “What’s this all about?” The gentleman‘s response: “I’m an honest man, indeed an honorable man, and /sniff/ I owe several people much money that I’ll never be able to reimburse…The only honorable way out is to jump into the Seine.” Cartouche: “Now, now, you just give me a list of your creditors and the sums due.”
The “gentleman bandit” invited said creditors to the St Nicholas Tavern at No. 4 rue de la Colombe, wined and dined them abundantly, paid off the suicide candidate’s debts (obtaining receipts, of course) and ordered more and more wine. Then he pulled out his pocket watch, said “Sorry, gentlemen, I’ve got an appointment”, and disappeared.
More librations ensued among the creditors, only too pleased to celebrate their unexpected windfall. When they staggered out onto rue de la Colombe, guess who was awaiting them. Yes, indeed: Cartouche’s gang, who quickly divested them of the debt reimbursements.

And The Winner Is….

The St. Nicholas Tavern itself pre-dates Le Procope by a wide margin.

The tavern got its name from the patron saint to whom local clergymen had erected a statue in replacement of an earlier pagan statue nicknamed “The Man with Doves”.

The statue of St. Nicholas was torn down in 1792 during the French revolution. It used to be affixed above the door of No. 4 rue de la Colombe.

The tavern itself is attested here in… 1240.

We got our winner.

(article written in collaboration with Arthur Gillette)

Re-Published By : The Author

A Gadget Makes Your Life Easier

In this article I will debate the main points of why and how the gadgets can significantly improve our life.

Gadgets are enjoyable

First of all gadgets are very cool and they make us smile and say: wow, it’s great! A gadget can always make you feel better because they access your deepest needs: comfort, security, usefulness and maybe most important, you can play with them. Some would say that they like gadgets because it makes their life easier. In my opinion we love gadgets because gadgets are toys. Gadgets are toys for the big boys or girls. We really enjoy playing with them, testing them and integrating them in our lifes. Babies have suzettes we have gadgets.

Gadgets equal many products in one

The best example is the Swiss Army Knife: knife, fork, spoon, screwdriver, tweezers, lantern, compass etc. In one compact product you get 10-50 other products. This is a very important characteristic of a gadget. A gadget incorporates every time more than one product.

Gadgets make our life easier

Let’s take for example the Thonka headband for iPod. It is was designed to help Ipod users not to carry their iPod in their pockets. Who wouldn’t want to have their hands free. For some users who like jogging this could be a very useful gadgets. When you will go for a run your iPod will not jump from your pocket, your hair will stay in place and your sweat will be retained.
That’s why it is important for you to stay up to date with the new gadgets. Being a gadget fan will help you to be more productive and you’ll be able to concentrate more on your goals and job. Of course you must read gadgets reviews. A problem can occur when you become obsessed with gadgets (a gadget freak) and you buy gadgets only because they are the latest available and you must have them. We could say you are a big kid if you are doing that. It’s ok to play with gadgets but moderation is the main key word here.

Gadgets save us space

One important point is that gadgets help us save space. The “saving space” utility it’s a derivate of the principle “many products in one”. Let’s take for example the BlackBerry cell phone. The BlackBerry is a small stylish cell phone with the capabilities of a laptop. Of course it’s not a laptop or a notebook but with one single product you can talk, send e-mails, edit world documents, navigate on the Internet, chat and so on. For some dollars you get a nice piece of technology. Also it’s very important to point out that the BlackBerry is cheaper than a notebook.

Conclusion

Gadgets make our life easier, save our money and most important, our TIME
This is my conclusion. Gadgets really save us time, and time is our most important resource. Gadgets are relatively cheap if you take into consideration that it will cost you much more to buy 20 products that do different things than one that does them all. Gadgets are designed to have many utilities that will help us improve our productivity. And let’s not forget the fun part: we like playing with gadgets!

By : The Author

The Online Art Gallery: Gaining Momentum

The Internet has expanded our world in many ways. Today, through the use of an online art gallery, we can buy, or just enjoy, works of art. If we are good enough, we can even sell our art work.

No one wants to be a starving artist, but can be hard for an up-and-coming artist to get enough people interested in his or her projects to want to purchase some of it. That’s only one of many reasons an online art gallery might be a godsend for those artists looking for their big break.

An online art gallery is a website that features art of various kinds. Whether the art itself is painting, sculpture, or any other form, the piece is first digitally photographed and then displayed on the website as a webpage image. Often, an online art gallery will display the works of several artists at once, or may offer several pieces from the same artist.

In return for this service, an online art gallery may make its money by receiving commissions from the sales of the work of the various artists. Usually, an agreement is tendered wherein any piece that is sold through the online art gallery is subject to a fee. The gallery withholds the fee once the art is sold and paid for.

This kind of arrangement works well for both parties. The artists can showcase their work to a broad audience, without the marketing expense having to come from their own pocket; the online art gallery benefits in that they collect a payment for the pieces that are sold and have a constant supply of art to draw in potential customers.

However, not all online art galleries use this type of arrangement. Some prefer to charge the artist a fee, which must be paid in advance. Generally, this fee is used to offset the bandwidth cost incurred by the site owners, as well as the cost for the website design itself. The good side of this is the artist will usually not have to pay a commission to the online art gallery once the sale is made.

An important added benefit to using an online art gallery is that the artist receives exposure as well. The online art gallery makes a profit only when people come to the website and buy from it. Because it is in their own best interest to do so, they will work hard at promoting their virtual space, which, in turn, promotes those artists showcased there. For the artists, this means more exposure, which can translate into more sales.

If you are interested in displaying your art work in such a manner, you should do some research as not every online art gallery is willing to feature the work of up-and-coming artists. Some of the more prestigious galleries prefer to focus on the works of more established artists.

Whether you are an artist, or simply an art connoisseur, you should browse the contents of an online art gallery. The level of quality and the sheer diversity of what you may find can surprise you.

By : The Author

10 Landscaping Design Ideas To Enhance Your Home Garden

A landscape garden need not be just a bunch of decorative plants and lawn. Read this article to know about many creative items you can use in your garden.


A home garden is a place, which can give identity to your home building in a neighborhood. You can use very little creativity to enhance to look and feel of your garden so that it stands out from the rest of the gardens in the neighborhood. Here is a list of probable elements you can add to your landscaping garden so that everybody loves it and you get the credit.






1) The compound wall of the home plot defines the boundary of the garden as well. Use paintings on the wall surface (inside), that will add excitement to your garden . You can go for a theme based paintings such as nature, waterfalls, sunsets,etc..

2) Use stone sculptures of actual human size. These statues greatly add a uman touch to the garden and also defines a scale to the space. Everything we use in our daily lives such as clothes, kitchen utensils, office equipment, computer parts, are all always related to human measurements. If this is the case with all other objects, why exclude a garden from it.

3) Use a fountain with artificial mood creating lighting. This adds a great amount of curiosity during night.

4) Use Japanese stone lanterns instead of the normal ones. This is because stone has its own rough texture as against the smooth and fresh look and feel of the plants in a garden. This creates “hot-spots” in the garden if you plan to use light bulbs inside the stone lanterns. These stone lanterns can also be used along a pathway to define the direction of movement.

5) Design a pond that flows partially into the home building. This is a great way to seamlessly connect the interior and exterior of a home landscape.

6) If your garden has a swimming pool, then instead of having normal diving boards, be little creative and make it into the shape of a house or the person coming out of the mouth of an animal, etc.Your kids will love this and will be remembered whoever visits your garden.

7) Create private semi-open patios in your garden. This is a great place to sit around and chat with your loved ones and also can be used as a small deck during a small party.

8) If you love pets, then try rabbits, ducks along with a small pond, in the backyard. These pets have very fresh colors and add great amount of liveliness in the garden.

9) If possible plants flowerings trees with fragrance. This is a free and absolutely amazing way to keep your garden fresh.

10) Create levels in your garden to distinguish various areas as per the function of the garden. A leveled garden always creates interest and curiosity.

If you have read this article completely you can see I have hardly talked about plats and their species in landscaping. So landscaping design is also about using creativity with materials and their finishes. I hope this article helps you to start thinking creatively about your home garden and generate more unique ideas.

By : Shrinivas Vaidya

Re-Published By : The Author

Cultural Inheritances Influence to Indonesias Abstract Woodcarvings

Indonesia is one of the countries in this world blessed with a diverse culture. This culture has been passed down and preserved from generation to generation.

Embedded as well into their culture are their religious duties and aspirations. These two aspects are what serve as guides for their artists in molding their art traditions. Each craft is like a form of scientific study, each requiring a systematic method for a successful output. One of their flourishing art traditions is their woodcarvings. Each piece is carefully carved and transposed into intricate designs that aim to depict more than what each piece physically portrays. And visiting www.indonesia-exporter.com can show you Indonesia’s cultural heritage’s influence to their woodcarvings.

The Wooden Canvas

The Indonesian culture, although influenced by numerous other cultures, is dominantly close in relation to nature and most especially religion. The fact that they use wood as their carving canvas brings us closer to understanding their love and high respect for nature. Wood of different types, from soft to hard, dark to white, are used in all types of wood carvings. Designs such as flowers, plants, trees, animals, and dragons are usual when dealing with Indonesian wood-carved art works. Each work of art is unique therefore is very much cherished by the Indonesian culture and is popular to woodcarving collectors all over the world.

The Common Themes

Indonesian wood carvings are typically made in the likeness of human beings. With a few varnishing and colorful touches, the finished crafts are always life-like in nature and expressive at first glance. Human beings are portrayed in different eccentric positions that it even gives off the feeling of adoration for the nature surrounding it. In addition to human beings, Indonesian wood carvings take up the shape of common domestic animals as well. As part of their nature-inclined culture, they carve animal design that would not only represent human feelings at its best but the Indonesian history, incorporated in every detail.

Whatever the theme, whatever the design or concept and whatever the material used, each piece of carefully carved wood is evident of Indonesia’s colorful, spontaneous and bright culture. You will notice as well that each detail incorporated in their woodcarvings is aimed to express the raw human traits that add lifelike touch to the woodcarving piece itself. By logging into the Internet, you will soon discover that Indonesian wood carvings definitely portray the Indonesian art, religious beliefs and culture at its best.

By : Maryan

Re-Published By : The Author

Chinese Tea is one of the Most Popular Products of China

After water, tea is the most popular beverage on earth. It is consumed in large quantities all over the world, but is likely most popular in Asia.

Tea was even discovered in Asia, and most of the world’s tea is still grown in this part of the world, though India is a close second. In fact, drinking a cup of tea with every meal is good for one’s metabolism. Tea is also a natural beverage. The Chinese weight loss teas are produced based on the belief that the caffeine in tea increases body function to help burn more calories. The tea also contains polyphenols, which helps with the digestion of fat, thus making Chinese tea good helpful for losing weight. Most if not all types of Chinese tea are considered effective for weight loss. They all offer a low calorie alternative to commercial beverages. Nevertheless, the Pu-erh and Oolong teas have received the most attention regarding weight loss.

Chinese teas may help lower and maintain your cholesterol levels. A recent study looked at the possibility that the antioxidants in Chinese teas, specifically called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) could affect diet induced Hypercholesterolemia in rats. Hypercholesterolemia is high levels of LDL or bad cholesterol in the blood. This in of itself isn’t a disease but it can cause heart diseases, such as Atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. Only in recent years, the medical community jumped on the Chinese tea bandwagon. Now, researchers are conducting numerous studies on the viability of Chinese tea extracts in the treatment and prevention of many diseases and conditions.

The most common types of Chinese teas are :

- Green tea
- Red tea
- White tea
- Black tea
- Oolong tea
- Pu-erh tea
- Flower tea
- Yellow tea
- Pressed tea
- Iron Buddha
- Kudin tea

Bojenmi Chinese tea is one of the most popular products of China that has been used mainly for weight loss. In fact, it has been used for such purpose for the past twenty years. In Chinese the term “bojenmi” means “slim and beautiful”. The bojenmi Chinese tea formulation is basically provided in the form of a loose tea and easy to use tea bags. Several ingredients are used for this herb formulation, but the main ingredient is the tea-leaf from Fujian Province.

By : The Author

A New Music of the Orient: a Touch of the West and a Dash of the Divine

A new musical fusion has arisen in New York and it’s not the kind you can catch for ten dollars at a club in the West Village. For the many thousands of Chinese immigrants trying to stay afloat in a new world and for those westerners who have always wanted to understand the Chinese but have shied away for lack of a way in–for anyone who has wondered where the two civilizations connect, the answer may lie not in words, but in music.

Lisa Li is a master of the pipa (Chinese lute) and a graduate of the Chinese Conservatory of China. She has composed and performed across Europe, Asia and the United States, and her playing was featured in the Academy Award-winning movie The Last Emperor. Now, as one of the lead composers for New Tang Dynasty Television’s Chinese New Year Spectacular, a grand scale performance of traditional Chinese dance and song, Lisa has created what she believes to be a new kind of sound–based on ancient Chinese folk and religious music, but going beyond either of them.

“Music is alive, because in the view of the Chinese ancients, every single object in the world has life. In fact, in Chinese, when we refer to a musical note we call it a ‘live note,’” she explains. But according to Lisa, it must be composed and played from the heart—sometimes in ways that sound foreign to the western ear.

But the melodies are far from random. Lisa’s music, like all traditionally composed Chinese music, is based on a series of pentatonic (5-note) scales. This system has its roots in Taoism, which teaches that all matter is formed from the five basic elements of metal, earth, wood, fire, and water. It teaches that in order for a being to be healthy, it must have all of these elements in balance. So, from the Chinese perspective, a song or piece of music must also contain a uniquely crafted balance of these elements. There are also eight note scales that relate to the Taoist symbol called the bagua, which is most commonly known in the West as part of the practice of fengshui, or geomancy.

An example of this is the piece she wrote for the dance “A Dunhuang Dream.” The dance is set against a backdrop of thousands of caves carved into the sides of cliffs as they are in the Moago Grottoes in the Dunhuang region of China. Seated at the mouth of each cave is a Buddhist or Taoist deity. As the dancers emerge, one can hear from the orchestra pit the voices of the (Chinese violin) anderhu guzhen (zither), but these are soon joined by the more recognizable resonance of cello, bass, oboe, and brass. The result strikes the ear as achingly otherworldly and yet also solidly familiar.

In fact, the specific ya yue used in the score is the same as that found in the ancient pipa music written on scrolls that were discovered by archeologists in the actual Dunhuang caves years ago.

“I feel very deeply that music is a heavenly language, a divine language,” Lisa says. “It is able to uplift people’s hearts and minds. It is good for the soul.”

By : The Author