miadebbas

[miadebbas]

Parisian Cultural Odyssey: Art, History, and Reflections

During my visit to Paris, I explored galleries and museums. While strolling along Rue Rivoli, a vibrant painting of a sunset by artist Scott Naismith captivated me. Despite depicting Scottish sunsets, his work's magical essence, highlighted by vibrant colors, transported me, making me yearn to witness the Scottish landscapes in person.

As the Paris 2024 Olympics draw near, marking a century since the city hosted the Games, international athletes are set to grace the streets again. However, our focus isn't on that; concurrently, Le Musée des Arts Décoratifs hosts an exhibition centered on fashion and sports. If you find yourself in Paris before April 2024, I highly recommend attending this captivating showcase. Not only because of the upcoming Olympics, but also because it imparts knowledge, such as the origin of the term "Gymnastics" from the Greek "Gymnospermes," meaning naked. It enlightens on the historical participation of both men and women in sports and the French origin of Tennis in the 12th-13th century, evolving from a handball game.

The exhibit also features iconic pieces, including a humorous sighting of the Juicy Couture pink sweatpants that were a trend in middle school, now immortalized in a museum. It delves into early Lacoste clothes, revealing the relationship between brands and victorious athletes, and presents controversial outfits that intrigue without giving away too much. Drop a comment if these facts are new to you, or share your discoveries after visiting.

Continuing with Le Musée des Arts Décoratifs, a temporary photography exhibition titled "LE JAPON EN COULEURS. PHOTOGRAPHIES DU XIXe SIÈCLE" is ongoing until December 31st, 2023. It showcases never-before-seen pictures of Japanese scenery and people from the 19th century, alongside a few Ukiyo-e pieces, offering a rare opportunity to witness history through visuals.

During my stay in Paris, I seized the chance to catch the Ron Mueck exhibition before its conclusion. His latest work, "Mass" (2017), and a potential work in progress were on display. The installations cleverly hinted at themes of life, death, and biblical and mythological subjects.

The Fondation Louis Vuitton hosted another memorable exhibition featuring the works of Mark Rothko. His paintings, although similar, showcased variations in color and texture. The Black-Form collection, with its monochromatic art, particularly stood out. The dimly lit room added a unique touch, allowing the differences in the black-on-black works to gradually reveal themselves.

Aside from exploring exhibitions, I secured good seats for a play titled "La Note" at the Bouffe Parisienne theater, starring Sophia Marceau and François Berléand. The profound yet humorous piece prompted introspection about life, specifically one's own. Questions about happiness, life's trajectory, and aspirations upon growing old resonated after the curtain fell. If you comprehend French, I highly recommend attending before time runs out. A special thanks to Audrey Schebat for creating this thought-provoking experience.

I relished every moment in Paris, and I eagerly look forward to returning soon for more art, culture, and enriching experiences.

#paris #art #museums #gallery #Rothko #mark rothko #painting #realism #culture #sculpture #ron mueck #sunset #photography #japan #french #theater #performing art

[miadebbas]

Teta Alit

Teta Alit visually translates phrases from the Arabic/Lebanese language into literal scenarios to bring humour, lighthearted connection, and understanding between diverse backgrounds. This Series will play with language and show how beautiful, poetic, and funny the Arabic language is. 

The title in english means, "My Grandmother Said". "Teta" Is My Grandmother in Lebanese, and the word "Alit" can be translated to the word said.

This series was part of my undergrad thesis at OCAD U. 

Ever wondered what some expressions or proverbs your grandparents, or even parents, say sometimes means? Or while visiting a foreign country you hear a strange saying and you wonder what it means? Sometimes they even translate funny…

Here are 10 Lebanese and Arabic proverbs that could have a different meaning that what they sound.

1- El Ered Bi 3ein Emmo Ghazel - القرد في عين أمه غزال

This translates to “The monkey is a deer in his mother’s eyes”.

It’s an Egyptian expression that means that the mother thinks that their child is beautiful and perfect when in reality they are not.

2- Kalemak 3assal 3ala Albeh -  كلامك عسل على قلبي

This translates to “Your words are honey on my heart"  

The feminine version would be “kalemik 3assal 3a albeh”. You just have to replace the -ak with -ik depending on who you talk to. -ak is masculine and -ik is feminine

This expression is the perfect response for when a special someone says something especially sweet. This can also be a used for flirting 😉.  

3- Baselto Ma7rou2a - بصلة محروق��

This translates to “Your onion is burning”

the feminine version would be “Baselta ma7rou2a”. -o is masculine -a is feminine, changes depending on who you talk to.

you can also use “Baseltak ma7rou2a” or “Baseltik ma7rou2a” if you are talking directly to the person. The previous versions are when you are talking about someone.

*see previous proverb for -ik and -ak explanation.

This proverb means that he/she is very impatient.

4- El Tekrar Fi Ta3lim El Hmar - التّكرار في تعلّم الحمار

This translates to “repetition teaches a donkey”.

it means practice makes perfect.

5- Tanjra w le2it ghataha -  طنجرا و لاقيت غطها

This translates to “A pot found it’s cover”

This is said of two people who click.

Personal anecdote:  It is something I felt when I met my best friend. It felt cosmic, it felt right. It felt like I, to take the words of the proverb, found my cover.

6- 7amil El Sullom Bil 3ared -  حامل السّلم بالعرض

Translates to “He is carrying the ladder horizontally”.

When you say it to a woman you have to say “7amle el sullom bil 3ared”. -il is masculine and -le is feminine.

This means he/she is complicating things.

7- Toqbor Albeh - تقبر قلبي

This translates to “Burry my heart”.

Just to let you know no one wants to burry anyone here...

Funny enough despite the dark tone of the expression, it is actually an expression to express one’s love to another. It means that they would rather die than to lose you. It is something I hear my mother say a lot to my siblings and I, so for me this is an expression mostly used by mothers.

A similar expression of love would be Tuqborni*/تقبرني : which translates to “Burry me” .  

This also means that they would rather die and have you bury them before losing you.

An expression used instead of saying “I love you so much”.

*I actually hear my grandmothers say it a lot to express her love.

A sweet expression, right?

8- Rou7 Ballit El Ba7er - روح بلّط البحر

This translates to “Go tile the sea”.

Oh! how I love this expression!! I am guilty of using it a lot, especially when talking to my brother. 

 This is an expression used a lot instead of saying “Leave me alone” or “Get lost”.

9- Fakhar ykassir ba3do - فخار يكسر بعضه 

This translates to “Let the pottery brake itself”

This means to let people deal with their own mess, in other words let’s not deal with the problems of others.

10- Re7na Salata - رحنا سلطة 

This translates to “We went salad”

Something we say when we’re screwed and there is no going back.

I started this thesis to give you all a look at my culture but in the end, I ended up learning a lot too!

Hope you enjoyed it~

Mia 

PS: This might be my longest post. 

#Lebanese #Arabic #Lebanese Sayings #funny sayings #Art #illustration #ocadu #thesis #2020-2021 #undergraduate #acrylpainting #series #fun #educational #culture #language #arabic language