“My experience participating in the Paris: Modernism and the Arts, Then and Now course this summer is one I will never forget. With back to back museum visits, performances and cultural tours, our days were filled with new experiences that were all applicable to the theme at hand. Through a well-crafted schedule, this course gave me a new appreciation for modernism and for the beautiful city of Paris.
It is always exciting to see the focus of lectures in real life. This course was filled with these moments. One of my favorite moments was the contextualization of Monet’s work. We went from looking at Monet’s work on a screen, to actually seeing where he painted those very masterpieces, and finally, to contemplating the finished pieces at the Musée de l’Orangerie. This contextualization of such priceless artwork emphasized that every step of the art process in an important one and even allowed us to see these very steps.
With Paris as our classroom, we were able to learn in such an unforgettable way. Thanks to the Humphries Award, this course allowed me to see Paris in a new and unique lens.”
Jana Khalil, IAC 2017-18
“This June, I had the opportunity to travel to Paris, France for the Paris Modernism and the Arts Writing in the Disciplines course through The George Washington University. Thanks to the generosity of the Humphries Award, I was able to embark on this educational adventure with a lighter financial burden. The two week trip was an engaging, informative, and exciting time filled with field trips, performances, and guest lectures. Being able to learn about the modern artists and their impacts made in the place where they started was truly amazing. We got to journey through time by first understanding the time period in which these artists began to then understand how pushing the limits would be so monumental. Discussing this movement across the many art forms, the class was a beautiful way to encompass an important time for art and its participants.
In my opinion, the class was most beneficial and special because of its once in a lifetime opportunities thanks to our Professors’ connections and relationships. Of the many people we met, museums we got lost in, sites we visited, and streets we toured, my favorite experience was a day spent with Jacques Remus. As an experimental artist and creator, we dove into a world of curiosity, music, and enchantment
We met Jacques in Bercy Gardens and started our magical tour of 19th Century carnival games, rides, and decorations. The tour consisted us grand rooms hosting merry-go-rounds of all creations!
The first one we got to go on was a classic one that featured horses and chariots to sit in while spinning around and moving up and down. The second however was almost 200 years old and only spun by man power. We were each seated on essentially a bike, that once we started peddling got the whole contraption to spin around, and quite quickly too!
It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to tour these ground with just our 14 person group and the man who created it all! We also got to ride a serene carousel that was meant to make you feel as though you were riding through the canals of Venice. A truly beautiful ride. We then got to see classical opera music performed by wax robotic figures intertwined with a light show. All of the light shows were incredible making a wall transform into another world. It blew my mind how a 2D wall could see to tell astory in 3D; it was as though I was looking into a story. We also got to play a few games also from the late 19th century, including this classic one!
We played three intense rounds of the horse race. All of us ladies were very competitive so it was pretty fun.
After a whole afternoon of exploring the Pavilion, we had an exclusive look at Jacques workshop located near the National Library of Paris. However, it isn’t any normal workshop. He creates in a type of artist sanctuary. There are spaces in the once storage building now used for artists to create and work. They have created their own community there where ideas come together and magic is made! We enjoyed a wonderful walk through the Bercy garden to get there. Arriving at his workshop, we enjoyed a delicious meal at the only restaurant located in the old storage building. Each meal was like a piece of art.After lunch, we entered Jacques workshop. A crazy room with organized chaos surrounding you. We watched some of his creations at work including his current projects. Getting an inside look of where Jacques mind runs free and creates these complex music machines. It was an incredible day that really got all of us thinking in new ways and expanding the opportunities art holds. The day spent with Mr. Jacques Remus was perhaps one of my favorite of the entire trip and I will remember it forever!”
Emily Sill, GEB 2017-18
"Bonjour! My name is Caroline and I have had the immense pleasure of travelling with the Paris Modernism class this summer. When I think of what to write about for a blog, I have a hard time choosing one topic. I have grown so much as a student, woman, and traveler and could write endlessly. I promise Paris will transform your perspective on life and you will return a more open-minded and spirited learner. This course may push your comfort zone but that is where the true magic happens. I know this because our very first performance threw me out of my comfort zone, and it didn't stop that night.
At home and in DC I often fall into a cycle of the same activities and routines. When we are "home", we tend to stop exploring and navigating life through new lens. If you've travelled, you know even the homiest of places still keeps you from feeling totally relaxed. I particularly enjoy this feeling because I find I'm most attuned and receptive to all my senses. As I navigated Paris in a more aware mindset, I noticed what I call the five senses of Paris.
Sight- When I think of monochromatic objects, I don't think of beauty. However, Paris would beg to differ. The buildings, streets, and moody sky all blend together to create a stunning image of monochromatic novelty.
Smell- I used to avoid the smell of cigarette smoke because it revolted my senses. Now I walk into the cloud of cigarette smoke and smell sophisticated thought and delicate conversations outside a bistro.
Touch- The spongy texture of a croissant that is still warm to the touch and flakes at every layer.
Hear- I do not recognize a certain sound, rather than the absence of sound. Parisians speak softly because their words are loud enough.
Taste- Quite possibly my favorite of them all. Both savory and sweet. Wine, crepes, baguettes, and more all with the ability to provide a savory or sweet taste to your liking.
I hope you travel to Paris with the Modernism course and challenge your senses to observe something new. Au Revoir!”
Caroline Lea, IAC 2017-18
“The “Paris; Modernism and the Arts, Now and Then” summer abroad was one of the most reflective periods of my college career. The class elaborated on everything I had learned in previous art classes -- from artistic techniques to artistic backgrounds -- perfectly incorporating visits to museums and historical locations in and around Paris. However, this trip did not just inform my educational knowledge, but also allowed me to form bonds with others that would have otherwise been impossible without the inspiring atmosphere of Paris.
One of the most magical moments on the trip was our visit to the Musee des Arts Forains where we were seemingly transported back in time to a 19th-century fairground. The magic was not necessarily in the toys and tricks within the museum but instead in our guide, Jacques Remus, one of the liveliest people I have ever interacted with. He glowed with child-like excitement with the reveal of each new contraption and seemed to thrive off of our enjoyment of the displays. Being transported materially back in time seemed to have a spiritual effect on my peers and me as our delight bubbled up inside of us, with expressions of childlike wonder and admiration on our faces, at the start of each spectacle. There is a liberating, marvelous feeling that comes along with experiencing something completely new, and this museum perfectly captured and displayed this feeling throughout its exhibits.
The magical journey we experienced continued even after when we exited the beautiful 19th-century museum. We were taken to Jacques Remus’ artist compound where hundreds of artists gathered to create art in an inspiring, encouraging environment for artistic creation. We could tell there was an air of artistic celebration within the walls just by looking at the graffiti covered building. The beautiful designs on the exterior and interior were enough to leave us astonished and shocked - each was so different yet somehow they worked together in a cohesive beautiful design. What we experienced within Jacques Remus’ studio completed our dreamlike day. He showed us his creative process and explained how each of his inventions worked. We were astounded by the enchanting ways Jacques made music and light out of seemingly nothing. His genius was apparent to all of us - especially those who tried out his musical wii-controller. Each of his contraptions blinked and buzzed with magic that would live on within each of us individually. In my eyes, the artist’s compound reflected our group. Each of us had individual talents that we brought to the trip, with unique talents and backgrounds, and together we created an atmosphere that was conducive to our educational and cultural experience while abroad. What was different in each of us, much like the graffiti designs decorating the walls of the building, created something beautiful and unique to Paris. This trip was incredibly special to me and I would like to give thanks to the Humphries Award for supporting my educational and cultural advances. Paris was an unforgettable experience and I cannot wait to go abroad again. Our first full day in Paris.”
Katie Auerswald, IAC 2017-18
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