If I were in Paris... March 11, 2011

And it could happen! Just got an email with ridiculously low fares round trip: less than $800.00. Of course, hotel, transpo, food, shopping... sigh. New apartment says NO! But it was a nice fantasy for five minutes...

If I was in Paris today... I'd probably take in one or more of the following exhibits.

Photos/Femme/Feminisme: this exhibit of photographs dated between 1860 and 2010 is full of material drawn from the archives of the Bibliotheque Marguerite Durand, where I have worked quite a bit. It is a lovely, tiny library near Tolbiac. The exhibit looks delightful, and it is located in the 4th arrondissement, at 22 rue Malher (M: Saint-Paul) at the Galerie des Bibliotheques. Entrance fee is 3 euro, and it closes on Sunday. This link also enables you to open the brochure and see what is on offer (very cool!).

Jossot, Caricatures de la revolte a la fuite en orient: exhibition: This exhibition, also sponsored by the libraries of Paris, offers a selection of cartoons by the caricaturist of the late 19th century as well as some of his poster designs. As a bonus, this is at the Bibliotheque Forney, in the Hotel de Sens, 1 rue du Figuier, again in the 4th arr. This is now an arts library, but is also one of the remaining three medieval residences still present in Paris. It is magnificent. The exhibit is 6 euros.

Herve Guilbert, photographe: at La Maison Europeene de la Photographie is an exhibit on this photographer, who is perhaps better known as a novelist and playwright. Address: 57 rue de Fourcy, 4th arr.; entrance to the site is 7 euros, but gets one into all the exhibits.

Société Réaliste: "Empire, State, Building": at the Jeu de Paume, this exhibit built on The Fountainhead, Ayn Rand's novel and its film, examines 20th century design. It just looks fascinating. This exhibition is at the museum, located on the Place de la Concorde.

Finally, I think I would like to finish my day by hearing the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France play Beethovan's 5th concerto and Alban Berg lieder in the Salle Pleyel.