Auvers-sur-Oise: Van Gogh's final destination - a Paris day trip

The village of Auvers-sur-Oise was the final chapter in Van Gogh's life, and an easy day trip from Paris.

Van Gogh was particularly productive here, painting around 80 works over a 70 day period. This all ended however, when he suffered a gunshot to his chest. This is said to be a suicide attempt, although some contend that he was shot by someone else, by accident. In any case, he managed to return to his hotel and survived a further two days before passing.

What's there?

••  Large signposts featuring an image of the relevant Van Gogh painting, placed next to the building or vista which was the subject of the painting - This is the highlight of the trip, as it provides some insights into his works that you would never see from the paintings alone. It's also worth pointing out that there are only five or so signposts where this comparison can be made easily. The remaining signposts are less interesting, as they show locations where the scenery has significantly changed since 1890, or show the locations of portraits, or show the paintings of other artists.

Raw Vision - 25 ans d’Art Brut (final week)

An exposition celebrating the 25th anniversary of Raw Vision - a London magazine based around non-conventional contemporary folk art or "outsider art". This outsider art concept is what makes the exposition, with most works tapping directly into the deep subconscious place from where the most innovative and creative art comes from.

Small blurbs throughout the exhibit provide insights into the outsider artists - artists that have experienced illnesses, disabilities, different states of mental health, persecution, imprisonment etc etc. Freedoms that have been taken away from the artists, but inadvertently allowed them to achieve creativity that many can only dream of.

Atelier Brancusi - Sculptor Constantin Brancusi's workshop

Atelier Brancusi is a reconstruction of Constantin Brancusi's studio workshop, and definitely a hidden gem worth visiting. It preserves his sculptures, drawings, tools and furniture in their original arrangement.

His studio originally existed in Montparnasse, at 11 Impasse Ronsin, now part of a hospital complex. When Brancusi passed away, he left his studio to the French government on the condition that the studio and its contents be preserved exactly as he left them. It was first reconstructed at the Palais de Tokyo, however this installation was considered inadequate by many. It was then reconstructed next to the Pompidou, however this replica was eventually closed due to construction and curatorial issues.

Lucio Fontana - Retrospective

Lucio Fontana is an Italian artist, best known for founding the art movement of spatialism...or spazialismo as the Italians would say, at the top of their voice, and with their arms waving around excessively.

The best description is always the art itself, but if I was to put it into words, Fontana's approach was an attempt to break away from traditional art forms, and to create art that projected into the space beyond the artwork itself, and to explore the use of space itself in his artworks.

Fontana explored spatialism in several ways, all of which are on display at the exposition:

••  Early sculptures and ceramics - Fontana's early sculptures were abstract and figurative but you can see a uniqueness in his works which was evidently the beginnings of his spatialist concepts.

Tatoueurs, Tatoués - Exposition at Quai Branly

Tatoueurs, Tatoués (Tattooists, Tattooed) - an exposition exploring the history of tattoo artists and tattoos, as you may have guessed, from their origins through to current times.

The exposition starts with the origins of tattooing, which is said to date back to 3350 - 3100 BC. It looks at the reasoning behind tattoos in these earlier cultures - a mark of initiation rituals, an indicator of marginalisation, a mark of social prestige, a mark of punishment. In general, a sign of belonging or not belonging to a group.

It then continues on with tattoo history - circus sideshows, tattoos in Japan, tattoos in North America, and tattoos in Europe. Each has an interesting past of tattoos growing and falling in popularity, interplaying with historical events.

Martial Raysse - Retrospective 1960-2014

An exposition following the chronology of French artist Martial Raysse. It starts with his early works: pop art; fluorescent colours; assemblies of consumer objects; and neon tube art.

The exposition then follows Raysse as he moves away from pop art and develops new styles: paintings separated into fragments and then rearranged; film and video; small paper mache sculptures; paintings inspired by mythology; figurines made of scrap materials; large sculptures; and large pictorial fresco paintings.

Raysse's variety of styles and mediums is what makes the exposition - Raysse injects originality throughout them all. I won't say more, you'll just have to check it out yourself.

The Centre Georges Pompidou - a newbie's guide

The Centre Georges Pompidou is one of the top three museums in Paris, housing modern and contemporary art. In terms of art periods, roughly speaking, Pompidou takes over from where d'Orsay finishes.

There is a permanent collection spread over 2 large levels, and there are high standard temporary exhibitions on the 6th and/or 1st level.

Highlights:

••  Atelier Brancusi - A reconstruction of Constantin Brancusi's actual studio, complete with his workshop and tools, and display room of his sculptures. It's the highlight of the highlights. It's housed in a separate building, which can be found at the north end of the piazza area outside the Pompidou. Entry is free, but it is only open in the afternoons.

Motion Factory - the secrets of stop motion animation

This exposition explores the work and methods behind stop motion animation. It presents a selection of short films, alongside making-of videos, alongside displays of the storyboards and miniature figurines, models and sets. The short films are also played in a cinema on the big screen.

Around 20 films are given this treatment, including my new favourite - Panique au Village (A Town Called Panic). (If you're not familiar, check it out - it's a comedy based on the adventures of Cowboy, Indian and Horse, who live together under some strange sharehouse arrangement. You'll have to trust me. There is a feature length movie and several shorts, many of which can be found on YouTube.)