Posing on the Croisette - Cannes

Who is this here posing on the Croisette at the Cannes Film Festival??

Who has created these rather arresting and striking creatures??

They are sculptures by "Rabarama" - the pseudonym of Italian contemporary artist Paola Epifani from Rome who was exhibiting at galeries Bartoux in Cannes during the recent Film Festival....

Her work is characterised by these large sculptures of posed figures - men, women and strange hybrid creatures whose skin is decorated and patterned with symbols, letters, designs, and hieroglyphs...

Check out the Galeries Bartoux who host very interesting contemporary exhibitions, and check out more of Epifani's work at her website www.rabarama.com . PS - Here are the more conventional posers from the Croisette amidst the glitz and glamour of the Cannes Film Festival - Enjoy!!

Coasting along the Croisette in Cannes....

Spending the day at the Cannes Film Festival, soaking up the star-studded ambience, was surprisingly a lot of fun - strolling along the Croisette, hanging out with the crowds outside the Martinez, indulging in a solid French Bistrot lunch, gazing out to sea whilst taking in all the interviews being conducted on the beach, and the success of getting into a screening of Ritesh Batra's "The Lunch Box" after an hour of queuing in the blustery cold - all added up to a memorable day well worth repeating. We didn't see many stars but here are a few quirky details on the edge of the festival that caught my attention....The photographer who has been coming to Cannes for sixty years to photograph the stars....

The forest of stepladders in front of the Palais - de rigeur for photographers needing that scoop....

the optimistic ever-hopeful film fans pleading for unwanted invitations into private screenings...

the septagenerian swimmer bracing himself for the sea and being swept up by the beautiful people  on the beach for an impromtu interview to feed the media....

the fashion....

the cars....

the stars....

the security....

the billboards...

and getting that all important red carpet ready for the next Premiere....

And don't you just love this year's iconic poster of Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward...??

Not to mention the stunning setting for the Festival itself...

The Cannes Film Festival really can be a must for the ordinary film fan - Don't miss it!! But, wouldn't it be even better if there was more ordinary public access - more screenings for film fans and a people's choice Palme D'Or?? A vote here for greater democracy.......

Weekend Reflections 18 - Cannes

These spheres reflect the world famous seaside promenade of "La Croisette" in Cannes, home to impressive hotels, the stars of the Cannes Film festival, and a host of local flaneurs...

If you look closely at the collage you will see that the spheres form part of art work for sale along "La Croisette".....For more reflection shots this week, click HERE for Weekend Reflections. Enjoy!!

Weekend Reflections 10 - Cannes

This was taken on a beautiful Spring day in Cannes, and I loved the way the pattern of the clouds is reflected in the water, which is the reason why I put the boats and masts in the harbour out of the way at the top of the shot....For more reflection images this week, check out weekend reflections. Enjoy!!

The Colours of Cannes.....

A lovely bright Spring day in March brings out the beautiful colours of Cannes from the blues of the sky and the sea at the beach and the harbour.....

...to the bold primary reds and greens of the tempting produce for sale at the market.....

There is much to visit and soak up in Cannes from the colourful Marche Forville to the striking masks of the ethnographic collections at the Musee de la Castre.....

Visit the vieux port, the flower market, and the city's old quarter called Le Suquet.....

Climb the tower at the Musee de la Castre  for panoramic views of the rust-coloured roofs of the old town to the mountains and sea beyond.......

....And last but not least make sure you take a stroll along the famous seaside promenade called the Boulevard de la Croisette before finding a place to sit and take it all in....

Whether it is a day trip or a longer visit Cannes is a delightful and charming place......Enjoy!!

Shadow Shot Sunday 139 - Le Cannet

At the golden hour in Le Cannet, pollarded trees cast spooky, sinister shadows on the glowing walls of a beautiful Belle Epoque villa. Such trees and their shadows are a strong feature around town....

For more shadow shots from around the world click here for Shadow Shot Sunday...Enjoy!

The New Bonnard Museum - Le Cannet

Only open since the summer, the Bonnard Museum is a welcome new addition to the galleries on the Riviera, located in Le Cannet, originally a small town in its own right, but now simply part of Cannes itself. Bonnard lived in a villa in the Eastern part of town in LeBosquet which is still lived in by his descendants, so the museum is in a converted Belle Epoque hotel with some modern additions and beautiful gardens....

The Museum contains a fair selection and an interesting variety of Bonnard works including paintings, drawings, poster designs, photographs and ornamental screens, but not nearly enough of the classic pieces for which he is rightly famous. Unfortunately, photography is not allowed inside the museum, but it is certainly well worth a visit, and the film about his life and art is excellent.

Le Cannet, itself, is also well worth a wander with its impressive Mairie (town hall still with its christmas decorations on display), beautiful Belle Epoque villas, lovely views across the valley, the old town centre with its street of artisan workshops and artists at work, plus an amazing place for lunch......

This restaurant is called Arts & Assiettes (243 Rue St.Sauveur) and offers this wonderfully presented three course gourmet lunch for just 12 Euros (for those of you who know the Riviera well, this is a complete steal right??) All in all a visit to the Bonnard Museum, lunch at Assiettes and a stroll around Le Cannet makes for a special day out.......Enjoy!