blog #20 Colossus of Paris

One of the Seven Wonders of the New World

How the brain works .. we see what we think we see.
The Grande Arche in Paris is standing at the end of a long axis from the Louvre through the Arc de Triomphe to La Defense where it ends at the steps of this huge building. The huge space in front of the Grande Arche is something to inspire photographers and artists from around the world.
The Grande Arche is simply said a frame .. a huge frame with nothing in it but air .. or heaven if you wish.
Good to know that the square has been created for people from all over the world to meet .. all kinds of people, all culture4s, all genders, all colors, all ages etc.
I imagine all kinds of art there at the square and inside the frame. My suggestion is to place several statues of Colossus there at specific well chosen locations to mark the space and the proportions of the building and the people. Preferably in different colors and one wrapped in cloth to honor Christo (who did not do the Arche by the way).

blog #19 Paris transformations

Only when you have time to watch closer

Paris street corner with a view. And what is in this view exactly? Old neglected house .. cafe probably .. closed. An African man walking there like he lives in the neighborhood. He walks to the left, out of the picture. A young man entering the door at the corner of the house with a case coming from the airport, for an Airbnb stay? He enters the image – from left to right how ‘we’ read – and the house, introducing the new?
How big is the chance they will see each other? And meet? In the mirroring glass we see a new building, money well spent on the walls and window cases. Is the neighborhood about to change?
created April 18, postproduction May 27, 2023
Leica M10, 24mm Summilux
©Paul Struijk

blog #17 The doors of perception

Naples: A marriage of heaven and hell

I walk to my home in Napoli / Naples over the Decumano Superiore (Via Anticaglia) and cannot believe my eyes. The Roman amphitheater is still visible in the structure of the streets and houses. Two thousand years of layers on top of layers. My house is built on and in the amphitheater. I am in heaven!! But the next moment I have to jump for my life when a scooter tries to go even faster when his eyes focus on me .. hell.
I find safety in one of the gates to a caravanserai like courtyard. These gates are huge. But the door to enter is very tiny indeed.

blog #16 Gino’s world

little children and little chairs were the only thing

he cared about. Holding tight to this made breathing almost possible. His world contained only sweet things. He tried to keep loud and sharp away. But his world was shrinking.
Of course neighbors loved him and his growing assembly of little chairs, they smiled to him or “Salve” to him but did not stay long. Children came often to him to watch him sanding a chair or listening to him while singing wild and sometimes tears flowed.
One day it was silent and the door closed. Never ever the parade of little chairs enchanted passengers anymore. Nobody knew what went wrong but Gino wasn’t here anymore.