This wall in the Square Jehan-Rictus (next to Métro Abbesses) is the site for the "I Love You" art of deep cobalt blue tiles. The wall is covered in 612 tiles of the same size and color, on which the words "I love you" have been written in 311 languages and dialects. The tile wall was created in 2000 by Frederic Baron, an author and composer, along with Claire Kito, a calligraphy specialist. The writing is in white with sparse accents of Paris rouge.
There are thousands of photos on the internet of the wall and the small enclosed park but I thought that you would like to see this small detail which sits above the dark blue tiles, and was on this day framed by chartreuse leaves and dappled sunlight. It is Rita Hayworth by artist Rue Meurt d'Art, and a loose translation is, "Loving is chaos... so, let's love." (Please correct me, you Frenchies) If you look closely just to the right of Ms. H. you will see a ghost. It is an outline of Ava Gardner who originally graced this wall. C'est une mystère...
I Love You Wall
Square Jehan-Rictus
Métro Abbesses
75018 Paris
Beautiful! I love coming here to visit your visions of PAris. I first went to PAris when I was 16 and have been going back every year since then, I am going on 18 years now! Everytime I go I find something new to see.
ReplyDeleteI´ve been there in July and of course I also photographed Rita...
ReplyDeleteJustement, non, Genie. Oui, l'amour c'est le chaos, alors, fonçons! engouffrons-nous dans l'amour! Et qui, mieux que la brillante interprête de "Gilda" peut être le symbole de la femme amoureuse, nationalités et générations confondues? Ce mur est intemporel et il réunit là tous les amoureux de la terre.
ReplyDeleteVoilà qui est beau! Merci, Genie!
It is so romantic...I just need to visit "this wall"!
ReplyDeleteLéia
I love the idea of a 'I love you wall' and how romantic is the expression Loving is Chaos, so let's love...and so very true!! Loved this post Genie (that's five times I've said 'love'.. now six) Beautiful picture.
ReplyDeleteThe dappled light is beautiful, Genie!
ReplyDeleteThis wall must make for very interesting reading. It must contain such stories of hope, promise, love and loss. Quintessential Paris.
ReplyDeleteYou see, I didn't know the place, thank you.
ReplyDeleteI love this photo!
ReplyDeleteWhat a romantic painting, beautiful.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant,such an interesting image!
ReplyDeleteGood to have your view of it.
Have a lovely day!
Ruby
Absolutely beautiful, both the wall and Ava. She's such a classic and adds a bit of sex appeal to the wall. Every time I think of her, Sinatra always comes to mind.
ReplyDeleteSam
All I can say is WOW!
ReplyDeleteI love this little square and it's always been gray and drizzly when I"ve been there so not fab shadows like your captured.
ReplyDeleteJe t'aime!
V
Only in France ! and I mean that as a compliment!
ReplyDeleteBonjour Genie, thanks for sharing this lovely photo, I love very much the wall and the square. Immagine, I didn´t know the interesting story about "the ghost of Ava G."!
ReplyDeleteAs to the "sparse accents of Paris rouge", I read that they are "des morceaux d´un coeur brisé"...
Bises Hana
Great shot. I was in that square last December and did not notice Rita or Ava but that wall had a lot on it. Le Husband took some shots of it I believe. I will have to go and retrieve them. A bientot Genie. Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of a wall tribute of love and I j'adore Rita Hayworth. She was a real beauty. I've been studying the picture and can't seem to find the image of Ava G.
ReplyDeleteThose blue tiles are gorgeous!
Kris
Ah, only in Paris!! I love it! And what a great capture, Genie! Your composition and the dappled light is perfect! And another delightful look at the city of love! Hope you have a lovely evening, mon amie!
ReplyDeleteHugs
Sylvia
Interesting street art. I think your translation is perfect! You always find the best details in Paris. :)
ReplyDeleteAn I Love You wall! Now, this is a pretty cool idea. But, Ava Gardner has been removed? Oh, there is so much mystery in this wall . . .
ReplyDeleteI haven't been to that area since 1999.
ReplyDeleteGenie, thanks for the info - I just discovered this wall for the first time a few weeks ago but had no idea what I was looking at and never got around to researching it, so I really appreciate your explanation. These little pocket parks around Paris are one of the city's great treasures, thanks for sharing this one!
ReplyDeleteI really like that one. Who wouldn't want Rita on their wall.
ReplyDeleteThe intense blue of Ms. Rita's gown caught my eye but it was not until later that I saw the evidence of Ms. Ava.
ReplyDeleteIf you look just to the right of Rita, you will see a faint outline on the wall of the former Ms. Ava. I believe that she also was wearing a blue gown and was leaning against a table. How lucky I was to have that ghost of an image in the shot!
When I return (soon) I will have a look to check on the status of the beauties: Ava, Rita, or others?
I am glad that you liked the photo, the story and the mystery.
Bises,
Genie
This is an icon for Abbesses
ReplyDeleteVery cool! This is something I definitely want to checkout next time.
ReplyDeleteIs that a ghost kitty that I see just below the level of Rita's hand? Thanks for the info. I haven't seen the 'I Love You' wall but will put it on my list.
ReplyDeleteI love your picture of this wall with Gilda !
ReplyDeleteà bientôt
xx
Danielle
Rita Hayworth was the most glamorous woman in Hollywood, so I'm glad to see her there. She's not wearing gloves but I believe this was inspired by the famous scene in 'Gilda'.
ReplyDeleteCool shot and message!
ReplyDeleteRita is really a muse! ;-)
www.ruemeurtdart.com
ReplyDelete