atelier brancusi/paris

When I was in Paris last week, I made sure to go to Atelier Brancusi. I love Brancusi for too many reasons to list here. Brancusi left his studio and all its contents with the express instructions for it to be recreated in it's entirety for people to visit. It took the French Government awhile to get it worked out, where it would go and how to present it faithfully. So I have been so curious to see how they achieved this. Would it be faithful to his wishes? Would it feel authentic to all the amazing photographs Brancusi took of his own space? They had a lot to live up to. Unsurprisingly, my feeling about it are conflicted. But it is hard not to just lose oneself in Brancusi's life's work and most famous pieces that he kept in his own collection. These images today are just the first main studio. There will be more.

details/maison victor hugo

On my last day in Paris, I wandered in to Maison Victor Hugo on Place Des Vosges. I was there years ago, but I didn't really remember what it was like. It is not an authentic interior in any way, but the space is interesting. The Chinoiserie room is the best. I love the tassel details and the mix with the carpet.

one day in paris/

After this two month adventure of shooting amazing houses (and many other things), I ended up with just one day in Paris to myself. My last day of the trip. I haven't spent time in Paris, without jetlag, for about 15 years. I originally had planned to stay a bit longer but I quickly realized that Paris would be lost on me. I was just too tired. But still, I had a really lovely day through the rain and drizzle. Here are some random shots from my phone. I shot a bit more on my proper camera but haven't even looked at them yet. Expect a post on Atelier Brancusi soon. I went crazy there...
There are a couple from the Palais Royale, one of Atelier Brancusi, a shot of the interior of Maison Margiela and the beautiful Arts at Metiers Metro stop.
It is nice to be back in California, but I am moving at half speed it would seem. The adrenaline of travel has worn off. So I'm taking a little breather and then I jump into the next phase of making this book. Editing.

travel day/california bound!

The last leg of this amazing trip is today. I am jumping on a plane from Paris to San Francisco. In other words I am heading home. Looking forward to a little rest before I jump into all the editing I have to do.
This image I shot above Italy somewhere. I loved the way the clouds were nestling the mountains.
See you in California!

cabinet war rooms/london

While I was visiting London a couple of weeks ago I went to the Winston Churchill's Cabinet War Rooms. For those of you that are unfamiliar, this was the secret bunker where Winston Churchill and the British government worked and planned during WW2. I remember my first visit when I was 19. It had a huge effect on me. The idea that a door would be locked and not opened for 30 years was so thrilling somehow. I was thinking about it is fair to say that my obsession with preserved and "time capsule" interiors started here. The first time I was there I was not even shooting (I did not start taking pictures until I was 20 or 21), so I brought my camera this time. Of course it was so dark it was like shooting in night time and the images are all grainy, etc. but I still love it in there.
On another note, I was working on this post yesterday and had to laugh when I realized that everything is beds. You see yesterday I did my last shoot for this trip (whohoo!!!) and it had the funniest effect on me. I just got sooo sleepy! I am practically narcoleptic, falling asleep anywhere and everywhere. Even my subconscious is telling me I need some rest though the edit of this post! Guess it is a good thing I am heading back to California early tomorrow.

antwerp/

I cannot get this creepy doll out of my head. I went to have a coffee a La Chascona yesterday before I jumped on the train and was compelled to photograph her again. Isn't she crazy? Why do I keep thinking about her? Look at her strange hand gesture.
But you can see from the last image why I returned to La Chascona. How cute is just the mix of coffee cup, saucer and creamer alone- AND good coffee!
Of course, I am in Paris now and shooting my last shoot of this trip today! Crazy!

centraal station/antwerp

Another travel day today but I have to say, it is so hard to leave Antwerp! I really love it here. But promises have been made for my return so I feel sure I will be back in the colder months. On to Paris and my last scheduled shoot of the trip!