Springtime In Paris ~ Underground

We left off looking at beautiful Parisian themed displays from the Philadelphia Flower Show.  Now for something completely different.  A nitty gritty floral homage to the art work under the City of Lights.

Jim Dempsey

I was aware of the Paris Catacombs.  Due to fears of disease spreading during the 18th and early 19th centuries, bones from about 6 million bodies were taken from mass graves and overcrowded cemeteries.  The bones were relocated and entombed in the Roman era limestone quarries.

unknown

Beneath Paris is a labyrinth of tunnels snaking some 180 miles.   Artists have taken to sneaking into the catacombs any way they can to immortalize their art.  Cataphiles as they are called, gather underground looking for freedom to express themselves.

The art is as varied as the artists.  Some are fine painters, graffiti artists, sculptors, performers, or bone rearrangers.  Below are all pictures taken from the catacombs.

ph: Jerome Bon

The Wave, ph:Stephen Alverez

ph: offbeatearth

Depicted below are representations from the Flower Show speaking to the graffiti art that exists under the city.

Robert DeBellis

A tribute to an actual painting.  I wish I knew who the artist was and that my picture wasn't so blurry.

ph:Stephen Alverez

It's odd, but there is beauty to these bones.  A tribute perhaps to the lost souls.

I had no idea there was such beauty beneath the earth.  Paris really does have it all.  This requires another trip back!

Spring Time In Paris

was the theme of the 2011 Philadelphia Flower Show.  For me, this is the mark of Spring!  I am snow weary and I know the warm weather is just around the corner.   The Show is a sensory experience that is awe inspiring!  
This year the Eiffel Tower was the gateway to all things Parisian.  

With it's carousels and flower market vendors, its chanticleers, the Patisseries and the Boulangeries represented, the French music and wine, you felt transported to France, even if it was for a little while.

The French have mastered many things, and they undoubtedly have revolutionized the art of the jardins.


J. Downend Landscaping created a Tour de Force exhibit with a Tour de France theme.  Americans' love of French products seemed to have rolled into the convention center.  A nod to consumerism?

Jamie Rothstein and her Le Salon des Fleurs captured the romance and extravagance of a bygone era.
John Whitenight created magical arrangements under glass, inviting the observer to take a closer look .

Burke Brothers paid homage to the timeless gardens of Paris.

Schaffer Designs  with its 360 degree diorama of floral artistry conceptualized the classic movie, "An American in Paris"

Michael Bruce's Trash to Treasure vignettes were extremely creative.  He took shadow puppetry to a whole new level.  The shadow was made up of discombobulated objects but the outcome was captivating!

next time.... Paris Underground ~ A nitty gritty floral homage


photos: #1 Huffington Post, all others CLI