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Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Pablo Picasso in the South of France

The artist Pablo Picasso died April 1973, exactly 40 years ago in the South of France. He moved here towards the latter part of his live, to Provence where he spent most of the happiest and some of the most productive years of his life. Picasso left a strong mark in the South of France, both culturally and emotionally. Today, art lovers can visit museums in Antibes, Vallauris and Vauvenargues following his trail in the South of France.

 "Action is the foundation key to all success."

 This wasn’t just an idle quote from the artist.  Pablo Picasso thrived on action. He loved movement, changes, exploring new areas, dabbling in new ways to express himself as an artist. Even in his romantic relationships there was much movement – Picasso, it seemed changed his women each time he changed his style.

 Antibes

The move to Provence in 1946 seemed to have an even more profound change in the artist. His blue period in Paris was over and from Antibes his first stop, he produced some of his most joyful works.

As you look out of the fortified windows of Chateau Grimaldi out towards the blue Mediterranean, it’s easy to see where his inspiration came from and understand his enthusiasm.  

“I’m not only going to paint, I’ll decorate the museum too,” he said jubilantly.
His painting, La Joie de Vivre reflected the mood of the sixty five year old; France was free once more, Europe was recovering from World War 2 and the master was in love.

 Vallauris

Picasso then moved to Vallauris a couple of miles away -- to discover the wonderful world of ceramics. He played, experimented and worked with unconventional tools such as kitchen knives for surface patterns, plates and cups, whatever he found interesting.

His major artwork in 1952, War and Peace was the last of his political compositions. When Picasso donated the two compositions painted on hardboard panels of over 100m2 to the French State in 1956, Vallauris gained its own Musée Picasso.

 Cannes

Picasso spent some time in Cannes with new partner Jacqueline Roque but it was getting too noisy there, too many high buildings were spoiling his view of the Mediterranean, and besides, he was getting internationally famous.

 Vauvenargues

Another move in 1959. This time the couple moved inland to Vauvenargues near Aix en Provence at the foot of the famous Mount ST. Victoire.
When Picasso bought the property he was already in his seventies; he assumed he would spend the rest of his life there so had most of his bronzes and paintings stacked in the many rooms of Château Vauvenargues.
His appetite for painting did not stop though, he continued with a passion. The famous, Le Déjeuner sur L’Herbe, was painted in Vauvenargues.

 Mougins

When he turned 80 the couple moved back to the Cannes area in 1961; Picasso wanted to be nearer his doctors.  The village Mougins, was not new to Picasso; he’d already been to this quiet hillside location. Picasso spent the last 12 years of his life there until his death in April 1973.

The artist who said “love is the greatest refreshment in life” was lucky. He had Jacqueline by his side when he died.

 Trailing with Picasso in the South of France:
Musée Picasso in Château Grimaldi Antibes www.antibes-juanlespins.com
Musée National Picasso Vallauris and War and Peace memorial, www.musee-picasso-vallauris.fr



Château de Vauvenargues, Aix-en-Provence; group visits only arranged through Musée Granet www.museegranet-aixenprovence.fr

 



 

 

Thursday, April 4, 2013

French Olive oil Directory


 Dedicated Olive oil blogger Cécile Le Galliard has come up with a wonderful scheme to unite olive oil enthusiasts and professionals in France.

 By creating an online olive oil directory, deciders in the olive oil business now have more choice in terms of price, quality and transparency. They can even access the latest technological advances in Le Guide de Huile d’Olive (Olive Oil Guide).

 Exchanging information is vital in the olive oil business. Olive oil producers, shopkeepers, restaurant owners and even those looking to start their own business are already consulting the free registering service.  The service will also benefit small and average sized producers who before had little chance of promoting and distributing their products.

Cécile said: “The olive oil market is still in the beginning stages in France. This could be  because of the French tradition of cooking with butter, that the French still consider olive oil to be a luxury product or quite simply because the choice is not there for potential customers, that the shelves are stocked with the well known Italian and Spanish brands. I believe it might be a combination of all these factors.”

Marketing olive oil

There is still more to be done in France in terms of communication, promotion and distribution.

“In France we consume 3 liters per family per year whereas in Spain they consume 13 liters per person for the same period. There is still so much to do,” Cécile  said.

 Cécile who started off her project by contacting the small producers is pleased with the response she’s been getting so far with her project.

 “Thirty professionals including producers and grocers are already listed in the guide and around ten others are the process of doing so. I hope to be collaborating soon with Afidol, the l’Interprofessionnelle de L’huile d’Olive in France and also to include a good many more French producers,” she enthused.

 The dedicated olive oil blog already includes market studies, promotion and up to date information on olive oil news but this ardent blogger plans to develop her site even more in 2013 with a map of France showing all the olive oil activities such as trading, shops, producers and restaurants. She will also include a space for adverts and e commerce for buying directly on line.


 
http://guide.jusdolive.fr/