Friday, September 24, 2010

Rue Mouffetard -- Une pièce de théâtre


In June while walking Rue Mouffetard, I was sitting on the curb (don't ask) and watched this scene on the opposite corner. Monsieur was sanding and scraping the brightly colored wall with its farmer and character vegetables. Madame, dressed warmly in her "summer coat" on this Sunday afternoon, approached Monsieur engaging him in conversation.

Madame appeared to be reproaching Monsieur:
  1. Monsieur is not working fast enough on his project to paint over this mess;
  2. Her son painted the veggie-characters and she is unhappy that Monsieur is sanding away these cartoon figures;
  3. She is giving Monsieur advice about a new color scheme;
  4. This is her son and he is late for goûter; or
  5. None of the above.

What do you think is going on?

Pomi Halles Mouffetard
117, rue Mouffetard
5ième arr.



Virginia posted this mural in a beautiful night shot here and it was featured on Red Bubble. Great minds, n'est-ce pas?

22 comments:

Sara Louise said...

I have no idea but I'm loving her summer coat!

Rob-bear said...

Je pense que "none of the above."

Paris Paul said...

She's the one who tagged the colorful veggies with writing and is threatening Monsieur with reprisal from her posse should he dare to remove their gang signs.

Pat said...

Dunno, but this kind of wall art doesn't belong on Rue Mouffetard or in Paris proper.....en banlieue?

Unknown said...

Do you mind it took me ages to do that!

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Sara Louise -- Summer coat? To be honest the temperature that afternoon was 18C/65F

Rob -- I wondered if she was pleading with him to remove the graffiti and leave the charicatures. Hummm?

Paul -- I do love creative thinking! Hummm, I did spy a couple of bikers around the corner.

Bibi -- I totally agree. I will be returning to this location to see "the result"

Picturit -- That is a possibility

Bon Weekend!

Unknown said...

She says "Why are you washing away my artwork??" Genie, that is so cool that you're an Emory alum, too! Wow! I knew I liked you! I actually do have my running shoes packed for a nostalgic run in Lullwater! I have never gone back for a reunion, I think it will be so much fun! I will report back in detail! Love, Shari, 95C

Unknown said...

She's hiring him to do the same at her place! :-)
Love all the elements in this composition.

Nina said...

Four! Defenately four!

cocoa and coconut said...

I think 3!
Either way it's a cute photo...I like seeing the 'contemporary beauty' of Paris

Shell Sherree said...

Whichever it was, he has quite a job ahead of him! Lovely candid photo, Genie.

Anonymous said...

She is bemoaning "young people these days. They show no respect! Look at the graffitti, disgusting. Such disregard for public property! On the other hand, the mural was crap anyway."

Liz

Virginia said...

I'm with Liz. However I'm glad I caught the side of it in a night shot up the street before it was painted over. That might be one of my best photos. The new all white paint job doens't have any zip!!

BTW, never noticed the name of the place. Interesting.
V

Alexa said...

But it's obvious—she's offering to pose for the replacement. (And this mural may not be great art, but doesn't deserve to be effaced by no-talent taggers!)

Petrea Burchard said...

I agree with Ninny--"these kids today!" Also with Alexa (I always agree with Alexa--it's not great art, but it's better than no-talent tags.

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Shari -- Yes perhaps, her artwork. But which? the graffiti or the characters? Bon weekend! Sending you an email.

JM -- I had 3 shots of the "scene" and this is the only one with the name of the market. It was one time that I wished I had some video as it was an animated discussion. Merci.

Nina -- If it was #4, he was in trouble with maman. Hah!

Brittany -- I think that the mural, while not fine art, adds to the flavors of Rue Mouffetard. Joyeaux anniversaire!

Shell -- Indeed, and it is going to take a very long time with constant interruptions!

Liz -- The mural was a bit silly but in the US we stick something like this up on a huge billboard and put it 50 feet in the air so that you can see it for a mile! Yuck. Well, in thinking about it that may be why ours would not have graffiti -- too hard to get to.

Virginia -- Love your photo (thanks for the link). I didn't notice around the corner. Had it already been painted white? How sad because by now it will all be covered by graffiti. We'll check it out when we are back in Paris, mon amie! (another reason we MUST return -- hehe)

Alexa and Petrea -- I have no use for the "tagging" of public places, reserving the right to reverse myself with my obsessive search for real graphic artists: Jerome Mesnager, Jef Aerosol, Miss.Tic, Nemo, and others. I am conflicted about such art and where it appears. I do like, however, to discover/photograph same which probably encourages more defacement. Hummmm...

Sounds like a good wine discussion, en français bien sûr!

Lucy Corrander said...

Their posture suggests they are on stage in a pantomime just before buckets of paint are flung around and everyone slips over.

Lucy Corrander

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Lucy -- It did have that certain stage appearance with all the props, and I was properly seated across the street. Thanks for visiting (and commenting) my blog.

Loree said...

I think he should leave that wall alone. It's loking fantastic.

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Loree -- I can't wait to get back to Paris to check it out. I will find any excuse to return, fabricated or not! Have a great weekend on your lovely island

Randy said...

She's telling him what ashame it is that someone destroyed the original artwork also that she danced there as a little girl. Great photo.

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Randy -- I do believe that Madame has lived in the neighborhood for most, if not all, of her life. Good observation. Have a great weekend!
Genie