Monthly Archives: April 2021

The Best Outdoor Contemporary Sculptures in Paris

Paris is one of the best cities in the world for strolling, the city is an open-air museum for more reasons than the obvious. Its buildings tell the city’s 2000 years of history (including new cutting edge buildings like in this article), but you can also admire some great art, mostly in the form of sculptures, on display in various places around the city. From beautifying the tramway to accentuating parks, here are the some of the best contemporary sculptures displayed around the city.

Bouquet of Tulips, Jeff Koons (above photo)

One of the most recent additions to Paris’s collection of outdoor art is this controversial work by International art superstar Jeff Koons. Inaugurated in October 2019, the oversized bouquet of flowers was gifted by the artist to the city of Paris and its citizens as a gesture of solidarity and hope following the November 2015 terrorist attacks. Nestled within the Champs-Élysées gardens, between the Petit Palais and Place de la Concorde, the ballooning bouquet rises to a height of 12 metres and consists of 11 flowers, instead of the typical dozen, the missing flower symbolising the void caused by the attacks. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s growing on Parisians!

Le Bel costumé, Jean Dubuffet. Photo: Jean-Pierre Dalbéra / Flickr

Le Bel Costumé, Jean Dubuffet

One usually thinks of classical sculptures when imagining the Tuileries Gardens, however, these formal royal gardens are actually home to a number of contemporary and modern sculptures, this being the one that stands out the most. In signature Dubuffet style the four-metre high sculpture, The Beautiful Costume in English, is an outlined figure in white and black with sections of primary colours. Originally designed in 1973 for the entrance to a wing of the National Gallery of Art of Washington, the current piece was created in 1998 and installed in this location in 2000.

Tree of Vowels, Giuseppe Penone. Photo: L R / Flickr

Tree of Vowels, Giuseppe Penone

Also in the Jardin des Tuileries, but contrary to the Dubuffet, this work by Italian artist Giuseppe Penone almost goes unnoticed. Blending perfectly into its natural environment is what appears to be a fallen tree. Penone’s art often relates to nature, and the tree is a common subject matter of his. The work was commissioned by the French State in 1999, the year in which torrential storms felled thousands of trees in and around the capital. Cast in bronze the 30 metre-long sculpture was inaugurated the next year in 2000. Once you find its discreet location (in a side section on the south side of the garden), you can contemplate the work in tranquility on a nearby bench.

Les Enfants du Monde, Rachid Khimoune. Photo: Rachid Khimoune

The Children of the World, Rachid Khimoune

Installed on a grassy lawn in the east end Parc de Bercy, near the Simone-de-Beauvoir bridge, are these whimsical sculptures by French artist Rachid Khimoune. Commissioned for year 2000, the artist chose to represent the 21st century with 21 bronze statues depicting children from 21 countries. The artist himself has Algerian roots, and on his travels around the globe, he collected urban items, such as cobblestones, sewer plates and broken bitumen, which he used to create the works.

La danse de la fontaine émergente, Chen Zhen and Xu Min. Photo: Une Autre Asie

La Danse de la Fontaine Emergente, Chen Zhen and Xu Min

Emerging from the ground of the Place Augusta-Holmes in the 13th arrondissement is this sculpture by Chen Zhen and Xu Min, The Dance of the Emerging Fountain. The work was a commissioned by the City of Paris in 1999 to French-Chinese artist, Chen Zhen, however, the artist passed away the following year before finishing the work. Fortunately, it was decided that another artist with Chinese roots, Xu Min, would complete the sculpture. The stylised dragon, made of transparent tubes and metal, appears to snake in and out for the paving-stoned ground of the square. The 13th district’s is home to Paris’s largest Chinatown and the dragon is of course an important symbol for the Chinese. A modern “fountain”, the work, which comes out of an underground water storage facility, has water flowing through it and is lit up at night.

Monochrome for Paris, Nancy Rubins. Photo: Fred Romero / Flickr

Monochrome for Paris, Nancy Rubins

Also found in the 13th district, in the Esplanade Vidal-Naquet, this sculpture by American artist Nancy Rubins was inaugurated in 2013. The monumental work, rising to 10 metres and consists of a grouping of 50 stainless steel canoes and 10 boats, is aptly found near the Seine River. The work falls within the artist’s “Monochrome” series, with similar works in other cities, like Las Vegas and Chicago. It was commissioned, along with 14 works by other artists, by the city of Paris to add a cultural touch to the T3 tramway line. You can hop on and off the tram to see all the works, including 1SQMH (One Square Meter House) by French artist and architect Didier Fiuza Faustino (Porte d’Ivry station), Tchaïkovski by the French artist Claude Lévêque (Montsouris), From Boullée to Eternity by American artist Dan Graham (Porte de Versailles) and “Murmurs,” a sound installation by French artist Christian Boltanski (Cité Universitaire).

The Centaur, César. Photo: Oeil de Verre / Flickr

The Centaur, César

Although this work is a little older, its central location in Place Michel Degré in the 6th arrondissement means that you’ll likely walk by it at some point during your time in Paris. Made by prominent French artist César Baldaccini, the original model of the sculpture, the half-man half horse figure from Greek Mythology, was created by the artist in 1976 as a tribute to great Pablo Picasso. If you look closely you can find a small statue of Liberty hiding in the breastplate of the centaur. The sculpture was among 100 works commissioned by the Minister of Culture Jack Lang in 1983. You can see another momental work by César, The Thumb (1994), at La Défense, the business district located to the west of Paris which is home to a number of other modern and contemporary sculptures.

Sculpture lovers may also want to take a stroll through the Jardin Tino Rossi, a park located along the Seine in the 5th district which contains the Musée de la Sculpture en Plein Air, an open-air sculpture museum with thirty sculptures, including another work by César as well as works by Brancusi and Zadkine.

If you’re interested in exploring more urban art in Paris, have a look at our article on the top street artists in Paris.

Top Photo: Bouquet of Tulips, Jeff Koons – Sortir a Paris

Save the Date for our Annual Paris Postgraduate Festival!

Our Paris School’s Five-day Cultural Festival – 1-5 June 2021

The COVID-19 global pandemic has shattered life as we knew it. Through this destruction, the importance of our artistic values has been made clear. Art allows us to escape the repetition of the everyday. Art allows us to inhabit the spaces and bodies that reach beyond our wildest dreams. Art is a tool we can use to construct a new reality.

Therefore, this year’s Postgraduate Festival organised by the students of the Paris School of Arts and Culture will focus on the theme of Escapism. Our theme is now more relevant than ever; don’t we all want to escape from the daily reality that we are faced with during this pandemic?

Given current health and safety measures, the festival will take place virtually, however, this also allows us to go beyond geographic boundaries. It is time for us to join together as a community and rebuild our world—one that is no longer confined to the physical realm. By dedicating a week to artistic endeavours revolving around Escapism, we welcome you to consider the role art plays in your conception of the world.

We are hoping to provide you with an escape from our current reality through a programme of thought-provoking virtual events, including talks by drag performers, authors and artists, as well as a film screening and paint and sip event, all with the participation of creatives from around the globe.

We are warmly inviting you to our online escape. Stay tuned for the full programme soon available on the festival website or follow our social media accounts (Facebook / Instagram) for the latest news and guest announcements.

Stay safe,
University of Kent Paris Festival Team

Graduate Profile: PhD Candidate Lydia Hiraide

In the latest in our alumni series, we caught up with Lydia Hiraide, who recently graduated from our previously offered MA in Postcolonial Studies at our Paris School. Lydia is now studying for a PhD in Politics at Goldsmiths, University of London, after receiving CHASE funding following a glowing reference from the School of English.

What are you doing now?
I am studying for my PhD in Politics at Goldsmiths, University of London.

What attracted you to your course, and to Kent? Where did you study prior?
Prior to studying at Kent, I completed my undergraduate degree at SOAS, University of London with a year abroad at Sciences Po Paris. One of the reasons I wanted to study at Kent was to return to France and take up the opportunity to study at the Paris School of Arts and Culture. I was excited about taking my research and ideas across borders, particularly as my MA was to be in Postcolonial Studies. The chance to think about themes of diaspora and exile whilst actually exploring different geographical spaces was a definite pull.

Which aspects of your degree did you enjoy the most, and why?
Of course, one of the aspects I enjoyed the most of my degree were my classes. With the seminars being so small, we had a real chance to fully discuss and explore the key themes and ideas each week. Teachers encouraged us to be critically open-minded, giving us the opportunity to learn as deeply as possible. One of my modules was delivered in partnership with the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London which was great because it allowed me to engage with practitioner as well as academic perspectives. It also meant that I could pop into the exhibitions and bookshop after class which was terrific! I also really enjoyed taking up all the extracurricular activities that Kent had to offer both in Canterbury and in Paris. Whilst I was based at Canterbury, I undertook short Study Plus courses on things like art history and languages – a fantastic way to broaden my thinking and step out of my disciplinary box a couple of times a week. As a student in the School of English, I regularly attended creative writing evenings where faculty shared their work in a wonderful, open, and dynamic atmosphere. At Reid Hall in Paris, there were often exciting evening talks and events where I got to think about my interests from different perspectives and meet new people too. There was always something extra to do or see!

How has your time at Kent helped you in your career so far?
Whilst I was at Kent, I received the Ian Gregor Scholarship and I most definitely would not have been able to complete my MA without it. My MA has been indispensable to my doctoral research because it gave me the ability to self-direct and carry out research independently. The ideas and themes I explored in my classes have also greatly informed the content of my research today. I was encouraged to think deeply and critically about each issue and discovered a range of new thinkers. During my time at Kent, I also massively improved my language skills as I was able to take advantage of the Language Centre to brush up on my French – a language which I now use in my doctoral research.

Were you actively involved in any research centres or projects?
I co-edited the sixth volume of Litterae Mentis, the School of English’s postgraduate literary journal, which was recently released. It was challenging to get it together during a pandemic but it was so fantastic to work with other students, get to know the peer review system, and finally see the project fully realised.

What impressed you most about our academic staff?
I was in the middle of my MA at Kent just as the Covid pandemic first broke out and we had the first lockdown in France. Our teachers worked extremely hard to keep our classes going and make sure we still got the most out of our studies whilst remaining deeply compassionate, warm, and empathetic. I have also been very touched by the way that the support of the staff at Kent has stretched beyond the end of my course. I am still in touch with some of my teachers and they have also supported me to secure my place on a PhD program as well as a funded studentship for it.

Are you still in touch with any of your friends from University?
I am in touch with one or two.

Did you undertake any work experience whilst at Kent? What did you do? Did you find it was helpful in your studies and has it benefited your career to date?
I didn’t undertake work experience as such but was due to assist on a university project collaborating with a local secondary school where the students were supposed to come to Paris for a few days. Unfortunately, the project did not go ahead, but I got some good French practice in helping to sort out museum tickets and planning a picturesque tour route!

Could you describe a typical day in your current role?
Each day varies quite largely for me as a PhD student. My schedule is almost entirely self-designed so I have to put quite a bit of time into planning my week in accordance with my monthly, termly, and yearly goals. I meet with my supervisor every two weeks, so I normally spend the time in between these meetings doing some reading and writing. I’m generally an early riser so I spend the mornings handling any admin tasks, sorting and sending emails, managing my bibliographies/reading lists, and getting a bit of exercise in. Then, usually I spend the rest of the day reading, watching documentaries, and making notes before finding some time to do some writing. Some evenings I take language courses online but if not, I will always find some time to relax, watch a silly film, or spend time with my family.

What are your future plans/aspirations?
After completing my PhD at Goldsmiths, I hope to secure a lectureship teaching in a university.

Are you currently working, or have you recently worked on any interesting projects that you would like to tell us a bit more about?
I am currently working on my PhD which looks at intersectionality and the environmental movement in Europe. I am exploring the ways that activists organise in the UK and in France in order to think about what it means to move towards a Black feminist theory of ecology. The project works with mixed methods and thus includes archival research, interviews, and theoretical work. Alongside my PhD, I have also been working on other research projects – one being based at Utrecht University which looks at inequalities in work-life balance, and the other based at the British Library on thinking about the role of the library in environmental policy.

What is your favourite memory of Kent?
It is difficult to choose just one but perhaps seeing rabbits ambling along the grass on campus! Being from London, this was quite rare and exciting for me. Being on campus in general was a wonderful and refreshing change from the greyness of the capital.

What advice would you give to somebody thinking of coming to Kent?
I would say to have a look at everything the university has to offer. Of course, you come to Kent to study your degree course but there is so much more available than that! From short Study Plus courses to SU events and activities to student organised research initiatives, there is so much to do both on and off campus. It’s worth finding out what is available as there is definitely something for everyone! (Also – that there is a free shuttle bus running between Medway and Canterbury. This was crucial to me as I was commuting!)

How would you describe your time at Kent in three words?
Challenging, exciting, eye-opening.

Top Street Artists to Spot Around Paris

Although Paris comes across as a more classic city when it comes to art, it actually has an exciting street art scene. This is thanks to innovative street artists who have forged a path for newcomers and added colour to the beige palette of the cityscape. Here are some of the pioneering figures and most active ones today as well as some tips on where you can seek out their works.

Blek Le Rat. Photo: Eric Lin / Flickr

Blek Le Rat

One of the earliest French street artist and one of the very first to use stencils, since the early 1980s this artist has been stencilling rats, and other images, across the city. According to the artist, the rat “the only free animal in the city”, and one which “spreads the plague everywhere, just like street art”. In 1991 he was arrested while stenciling on the Champs Elysées, therefore, since then he’s been creating his works on paper and pasting them instead of painting them directly onto buildings. His work has become more political over the years, addressing topics such as the environment and homelessness. Learn more about his work in this short documentary in English by Arte.

Miss.tic rue de Veron / L.Heise

Miss.Tic

One of France’s first street artists, Miss.Tic’s black and white stencil art is usually paired with a short poem or pun. A feminist, her provocative work, often featuring a dark hair woman, challenges female stereotypes and the representation of the female body. You can spot a number of her works around Montmartre (like some new ones on rue de Veron), where she spent her early childhood years.

Jef Aerosol, place Igor Stravinsky. Photo: Ferdinand Feys / Flickr

Jef Aerosol

Another artist who’s been added colour to the capital since the early 1980s, Jef Aérosol’s (Jean-François Perroy) works span the globe and he currently lives in the northern French city of Lille. His mostly stencil-based murals are usually in the form of oversized portraits. These always have a red arrow somewhere on them, a symbol to help you know that it his work. In fact, you have probably already seen his most famous work in Paris, the gigantic mural entitled Chuuuttt!!! (Hush!), painted in 2011 on a building wall in place Igor Stravinsky next to the Centre Pompidou.

Invader. Photo: Delete / Flickr

Invader

With just shy of 4,000 works in almost 80 cities around the world, Invader (Franck Slama) is France’s best known and most widespread street artist. A graduate of the Fine Arts Academy of Rouen, since 1996 he has been creating his signature space invaders and other pixelated mosaic works, mostly inspired by 1970s and 80s video games. These often have a slight creative twist, like the above image, or with a subtle twist connected to the work’s location. There are over 1,000 in Paris, often in the most unlikely places, there’s even one on the Eiffel Tower! You can have fun logging (and verifying the authenticity) of the ones you find via the app, Flash Invader, which tallies up your points, just like a video game.

Les temps d’une vie, C215. Photo: Jeanne Menjoulet / Flickr

C215

Born in the Parisian suburb of Bondy, C215 (Christian Guémy) now lives and works in Ivry-sur-Seine. He’s put this southern suburb on the “street art map”, but his work can be found around the capital and in a number of cities around the world. Active since 2006, C215 is known for his vivid and beautifully done stencilled portraits with spray-painted colour added. Instead of building walls, these can usually be found on post boxes or other utility objects. His work often explores social issues and feature the portraits of the homeless or refugees. He’s also been commissioned to do various projects for the different Parisian districts, including the portraits of important historical figures of the Marais and the 5^th arrondissement, some of which are still visible in these neighborhoods.

Le Diamantaire. Photo: Nefasth / Flickr

Le Diamantaire

Another street artist who doesn’t use a spray can, Le Diamantaire (the “Diamond Maker”) is known for his diamond-shaped creations. Born in 1987 in the Normand city of Caen, he trained in various metal-working techniques. He started using these skills to make street art in 2008. His diamonds tend to be made of pieces of mirror he finds and are often painted different colours. The artist sees these as jewels for the city and can often be found next to the street signs, which are posted onto buildings in Paris.

If you’d like a little more guidance on discovering street art in Paris, refer to this handy interactive map which is also updated regularly.

If you would like to study the history of art in Paris in more depth, considering pursuing our Master’s degree in the History and Philosophy of Art.

A Possible Return to Travel between the US and France as of May

In a live interview with CBS News on Sunday, 18 April 2021, French President Emmanuel Macron gave encouraging prospects for a return to travel between France and the US as early as the beginning of May.

In the English-language interview on the show “Face the Nation”, Macron stated that restrictions will be gradually lifted from the beginning of May for Americans who have received two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine or can show proof a negative PCR test. He said that this was already in discussion between Paris and Washington, whose officials are finalising the details of what would be a sort of digital health travel pass. He outlined that this is possible due to France’s increased level of vaccination.

The interview, which you can view above, also touched on joint efforts between the US and Europe to help the vaccination effort in developing countries, meeting the objectives of the Paris Climate Agreement, the threat of a Russian invasion of Ukraine and racism and social inequality in France and the US.

Further details about the travel pass and a timeline will hopefully be announced shortly. Since the outbreak of the pandemic travel for holders of a student visa has been maintained. Therefore, students who pursue one of our Master’s Programmes in Paris have been allowed to travel to France and stay for the validity of their visa.

In the first months of the pandemic, the French government automatically extended long-stay student visas by six months to ensure that students were not stranded without a valid residence permit. This proactive measure would likely be repeated if a similar situation were to arise in the future, a move which should help prospective students feel more confident about making plans to study in Paris. Further information about how we’ve adapted in regards to Covid safety and regulations at our Paris School has been outlined in this Spring term teaching update.

Despite the facility of student visas, the opening of the borders is still welcome news for those wishing to have fluid travel to and from the US (and other countries to be announced) as well as those hoping to visit their family members or friends studying in Paris, safely and within the official Covid regulations.

Graduate Profile: Novelist & Writer Jessica Andrews

In this edition of our Paris School of Arts and Culture (PSAC) Alumni Spotlight series we connect with writer and novelist Jessica Andrews, a graduate of our Creative Writing Master’s Programme. Her debut novel, Saltwater, won the Portico Prize 2020 and has been translated in five languages. Her writing has been published in The Guardian, Stylist, Radio 4, The Independent, ELLE, among others. Discover how Jessica’s time at PSAC helped advance her career and hone her craft in our interview with her below.

Where are you from and what originally brought you to Paris?

I grew up in Sunderland and moved to London to study for a BA in English Literature at King’s College London. I spent a year in London after graduation and then decided to apply for an MA in Creative Writing. I really liked the MA course offered by Kent and Paris seemed like an exciting place to live, study and work.

What attracted you most about studying at PSAC?

I wanted to study a Creative Writing course that combined both poetry and fiction. The MA in Paris seemed like an immersive way to learn about another culture. Paris has a lot of literary history and so felt like a good place to study writing.

What were some of the highlights of your experience?

The workshops were small and intimate and I learned a lot from my tutors and peers. I was particularly inspired by visiting lecturers such as Lauren Elkin and Adam Biles. I loved attending literary events at Shakespeare and Company bookshop and the occasional literature and music event at Reid Hall. At the end of the week, my course used to go to La Rotonde bar together to talk about books and ideas and it was exciting to be in a place with so much literary history. Learning French also gave me a new perspective on language which helped improve my writing. The MA gave me permission to take my writing seriously and space to experiment and develop my voice. I spent the summer living in Paris after my course, where I learned a lot about forging my own way in the world.

What are you currently doing and how did that opportunity come about?

My debut novel, Saltwater, was published in 2019. I began writing a novel at Kent and knew it was something I wanted to continue after graduation. I was working lots of jobs and struggling to find time to write, so when my grandfather in Ireland died and left a small house in the mountains of Donegal, I decided to go and live there for a few months and write. While I was at Kent, I had a short story published in the Kent Anthology. An agent read my story in the anthology and contacted me while I was writing my novel. When it was finished, I sent it to him and he helped me to find a publisher. I was offered a two-book deal so I am currently working on my second novel, which will hopefully be published in 2022.

I also co-edit The Grapevine, a literary and arts magazine, with Catherine Madden, whom I met on my MA and who also studies at Kent. I recently set up a literary podcast, Tender Buttons, with my partner, in collaboration with Storysmith Books in Bristol.

Do you think that your studies at PSAC helped with your career prospects?

Definitely. Prior to my MA, I had never really met a professional writer before. The brilliant tutors and writers at Kent were generous with their knowledge and were always very invested in my work, which helped build my confidence. They made me feel like writing a novel was something I might be able to do one day. The workshop setting gave me space to experiment and develop my voice. I kept in touch with my tutors and they continue to give me advice about the publishing world. I also made close friends on the course and set up The Grapevine with them.

Would you recommend PSAC to potential students and if so what would you tell them?

Yes – studying, living and working in Paris gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the cultural history. It gives you access to the vibrant literary scene in Paris and the brilliant events run by Shakespeare and Company bookshop. The tutors are very knowledgeable and insightful and it gives you the time and space to build your confidence as a writer or academic and to develop your skills and voice.

Merci beaucoup Jessica!

Connect with Jessica:

Website: www.jessica-andrews.com

Instagram: @itbeginswiththebody

Twitter: @jessicacandrews

A New Wave of French Filmmakers

France has played an vital role in evolution of film, from its early days with the likes of the Lumière brothers and Georges Méliès and via the Nouvelle Vague period and beyond. However, after studying the history of this art form, whether your taking our Master’s in Film in Paris or are simply a film fan, it is then worthwhile to discover what French filmmakers are doing today. In fact, over the last decade, the industry has been regenerated thanks to a wave of new filmmakers, representing the diversity of the country and examining the real France of the 21st century. Here are some noteworthy up and coming French directors to watch.

Ladj Ly. Photo: Léa Desjours / LaCourneuve.fr

Ladj Ly

Born to Malian parents and raised in the Parisian suburbs, this director’s work generally revolves around social issues and the conditions of the marginalised residents of the Parisian suburbs. He first got involved in film by making documentaries and collaborated on various projects with Romain Gavras (the son of Costa-Gavras), street artist JR and hip hop artist Oxmo Puccino. He made international headways in 2019 with his first feature film, Les Misérables, a modern-day take on Victor Hugo classic novel of the same name. It won a Jury Prize at Cannes, the Best Film at the Césars (the French Film Awards) and was nominated in the Best Foreign Film category at the Academy Awards.

Céline Sciamma. Photo: George Biard / CC

Céline Sciamma

A graduated of the prestigious La Fémis, the French National Film School, this screenwriter and director’s films often explores gender fluidity and sexual identity. She is also a founding member of the French branch of the Colléctif 50/50, a movement advocating for gender equality and diversity in the film industry. Her debut film, Naissance des Pieuvres (Water Lilies, 2007), made at the age of 28, was selected for Cannes’s Un certain regard section and was nominated for three César Awards. Written in only a few months and shot in less than three weeks, her 2011 film Tomboy was an official selection at the 61st Berlin International Film Festival. Her work continued to garner more and more international recognition, with her 2014 film Bande de Filles (Girlhood) screened in the Directors’ Fortnight section of Cannes and at Sundance and the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Her next feature film, Portrait de la jeune fille en feu (Portrait of a Lady on Fire), won the Queer Palm and Best Screenplay at Cannes in 2019. Her latest film premiered at the Berlin Film Festival in February 2021 and is likely to receive its own share of accolades.

Houda Benyamina. Photo: Georges Biard / CC

Houda Benyamina

Also from the Parisian suburbs, this director and screenwriter of Moroccan origins began a career as an actress before shifting to behind the camera. She started off by making a series of short films, social satires on life in the suburbs, which were screened on major French TV channels. Her first feature film, Divines (2016), which she also co-wrote, was a powerful look at life in the suburbs and the prospects for its youth. It was selected for Quinzaine des réalisateurs at Cannes, for which she won a Caméra d’Or. It was also awarded the César for Best Film and was screened at TIFF. She is also involved in social activism and is the founder of 1000 Visages, an association which aims to make the film industry more accessible for suburban youth.

Xavier Legrand. Photo: Vandamna / CC

Xavier Legrand

Another actor-turned-director, after a successful start on stage and in front of the camera, in 2013 Xavier Legrand made his first short film, Avant que de tout perdre (Just Before Losing Everything). It received a number of accolades including the 2014 César for a Short Film and a nomination in the same category at the Academy Awards. His first feature film, Jusqu’à la garde (Custody), released in 2017, was equally praised. It received two prizes at the Venice film festival, the Lion of the Future for Best Debut film and the Silver Lion for Best Director as well as five Césars including Best Film.

Alice Diop. Photo: Chris93 / CC

Alice Diop

Another creative from the Parisian suburbs, this writer and director of Senegalese parents is establishing herself on France’s documentary scene. Diop’s youth spent in the infamous 3000 housing project led her to make her first film, La Tour du monde (The Tower of the World), in 2005. After producing several other documentaries and a short film, her 2015 documentary Vers la tendresse (Towards Tenderness) won the César for Best Short Film. Her latest film, Nous (Us) won the Best Film in the Encounters section of the Berlin International Film Festival 2021, but is yet to have a commercial release. She is also active in the Colléctif 50/50.

Justine Triet. Photo: George Biard / CC

Justine Triet

After originally studying fine art, Justine Triet shifted to filmmaking and screenwriting. Well-crafted screenplays, her films revolve around modern relationships. The spotlight was cast on Triet in 2013 with the release of her first feature film, La Bataille de Solférino (Age of Panic). It was screened at Cannes in the Sélection ACID (Association of the distribution of independent film) and she was featured in the influential Cahiers du cinéma magazine as an up-and-coming talent to watch. Her second, Victoria (In Bed With Victoria), was the opening film in the Semaine de la critiques section at Cannes in 2016 and was nominated for five Césars. Her third film, Sibyl, was selected for the official competition at Cannes in 2019. She too is a member of the collectif 50/50.

The Evolving City: Reinventing Parisian Squares for the 21st Century

Over the last decade Paris has been implementing a range of eco-friendly and sustainable initiatives. Some of these have little visible effect on the overall appearance of the city, like increased bike lanes, however, the local municipality has recently embarked on vast project to renew seven of its most iconic squares as well as the Champs-Elysées and the area around the Eiffel Tower. These large-scale projects aim to make Paris more accessible, greener, more beautiful and allow the city and its citizens to produce and breath fresher air.

The project revolves around seven of the city’s largest squares, which are distributed around the city: Nation, Gambetta, Bastille, Italie, Madeleine, Panthéon and Fêtes. Separately from the seven squares, there are also big plans for two of the most visited areas of Paris: Les Champs-Elysées and the area around the Eiffel Tower. The initiative is part of the Paris Climate Action Plan, a municipal-level initiative to meet the objectives of the Paris Climate Agreement with the ultimate goal of making Paris carbon neutral by 2050.

The future Champs-Elysées. Image: Paris Futur

Hearing from residents was very important in the early steps of the process. To achieve this, the city set up an online platform to gather input from the residents, launched in 2015. Further public opinion was gathered during 150 “town hall” style meetings and workshops. The key elements residents wanted these urban spaces to have were increased vegetation, larger pedestrian walkways, enhanced fluidity of movement and the ability to better enjoy these public space. Protected bike lanes and reduced automobile traffic (and thus noise pollution) were other factors highlighted in these public forums.

champs-elysees-place-de-la-concorde-2030-2

The future Place-de-la-Concorde. Image: Paris Futur

In 2017, four collectives of architects, landscape architects, ethnologists and other specialists began designing these new spaces. The same year, the Paris Pedestrian Strategy was put in place in order to increase and simplify pedestrian walkways in the city. Similarly, the Paris Respire (Paris Breaths) initiative has born, with the objective of introducing several “breathing spaces” in each district as well as encouraging more cycling.

The future Place-de-la-Bastille. Image: Ville de Paris

The global results of the project should claim 25,000 m2 from traffic lanes, which will be converted into sidewalks, bike paths, sitting areas and vegetation. There should also be a total increased area of 15,000 m2 of vegetation, including the planting of 150 trees, as well as 5,000 m2 less pf asphalt-covered surfaces. What’s more, these squares will be 100 % accessible for people with reduced mobility and they will be equipped with ground markers for the visually impaired. Lastly, the squares will feature either water misters or water pools with jets, to help residents cool down on hot summer days.

Site Tour Eiffel . Amphithéâtre du Trocadéro © GP+B

With the 2024 Summer Olympic games in sight, Paris is also reinventing the zone around the Eiffel Tower and that of Les Champs-Elysées. Entitled “OnE I”, the Eiffel Tower site project will extend from Le Champs de Mars, across the Iena Bridge and up to Place du Trocadero and created “green lungs” within Paris. The Trocadero gardens are going to be redesigned, and cherry trees planted, as well as the upper levels of Trocadero where and green amphitheatre like space will be created. All of these spaces will be accessible for people with mobility issues. Greenery will be planted on the Iéna bridge, the walkways along the Seine and the gardens of the Champs-de-Mars will also be refurbished. The Champs-Elysées project was given the green light by the Paris mayor in January 2021. The “most beautiful avenue in the world” will become even more beautiful thanks to a doubling of its greenery and pedestrian walkways.

les-champs-elysees-revamped-2024-study-in-paris

You don’t have to wait for 2024 to enjoy these improved public spaces in Paris, the works are being rolled out gradually. One of the first to be completed is Place du Panthéon which now has a modern urban sitting area on the north side, with benches made of recycled material. Much of the work has already been completed at Place de la Nation and Place de la Bastille, so you can already enjoy more space for enjoying both of these squares. Year by year, they will become more and more beautiful as the greener grows!

Immerse yourself into evolving Paris by pursuing a Master’s at our Paris School of Arts and Culture. Our Programmes in Architecture and Urban Design, the History and Philosophy of Art, Film and Creative Writing allow you to connect with Paris on a deeper level. View our full range of programmes here.

Graduate Profile: Writer Tom George

In our latest edition of our Paris School of Arts and Culture (PSAC) Alumni Spotlight series we connect with Tom George, a graduate of our The Contemporary Master’s Programme. Tom George is a contributing writer for i-D magazine and Freelance Project Coordinator for VICE Media Group. His writing has also been published in The Metro, Pink News, Grindr and Amuse. Discover how Tom’s experience at PSAC was a life-changing experience in our interview with him below.

Where are you from and what originally brought you to Paris?

I’m from South London. I went to the University of Kent in Canterbury (UKC) for my Undergraduate and studied English and American Literature. After doing a few fun modules in my second and third year on graphic novels, 20th-century New York and queer literature I decided I wanted to study more contemporary culture. UKC actually offered an entire Master’s degree in it that included lectures at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London and an entire term studying in Paris which was the dream course for me.

What attracted you most about studying at PSAC?

When I broached the idea of doing an MA with my lecturer he suggested the term in Paris would be really great for me and my interests. I’ve always loved Paris as a city and the idea of studying modern Parisian culture whilst living within the city itself sounded truly magical.

What were some of the highlights of your experience?

Probably having lectures on modernist art by Van Gogh, Matisse, Picasso, Duchamp and more whilst standing in front of their very art and seeing it for ourselves. It was also surreal reading the works of authors who lived in the city and then going and sitting in the cafés they did and doing some writing or walking through the same streets. Life in Paris was also just so relaxed and exciting. My friends and I loved just exploring the city together.

What are you currently doing and how did that opportunity come about?

I’m a writer on fashion and pop culture mainly working with i-D magazine. I also work on commercial projects between magazines and fashion brands. I’ve loved fashion and magazines since I was a little kid so it’s pretty amazing to now be part of creating those same magazines. After my MA finished in 2018, I worked in fashion retail and wrote for LGBTQ+ blogs and copywriters. Eventually an opportunity came up at i-D in early 2019 supporting their teams on a project and my work with them just grew from there!

Do you think that your studies at PSAC helped with your career prospects?

Definitely! I think the modules, my course mates and even just the city itself felt so inspiring to me at the time that I ended up writing a lot for myself and my own blog which eventually led to me writing for other media platforms and where I do now. Through PSAC I also met other writers, artists and creatives on my course and that’s been really helpful – not just as a network but also in terms of support as we all navigate being creatives within the working world together.

Would you recommend PSAC to potential students and if so what would you tell them?

I would definitely recommend PSAC, it was such an amazing and life-changing experience. My advice would be to grab it by the horns and experience it all. If I was to do it again I would just go and explore even more because Paris is so rich in culture. I also made some really close friends there through this special shared experience. We still see each other and meet up when we can. We were actually going to visit Paris again last year until the pandemic hit. Fingers crossed we can soon because I miss them all and Paris a lot.

Merci beaucoup Tom!

Connect with Tom here:

Website: www.tomgexrge.com

Instagram: @tomgexrge

Twitter: @tomgexrge

Application Portal – Scheduled Site Maintenance (9-19 April, 2021)

Trying to apply to study in Paris at our School of Arts and Culture, but are encountering some difficulties? We are currently upgrading our systems. What does this mean for you?

On Monday 19 April, we’ll be launching an updated student record system to improve and support the student journey at Kent. As such, between Friday 9 April and Sunday 18 April, you won’t be able to access, or contact us via, our online portal. Unfortunately, while the upgrade is taking place, any current applicants won’t be able to accept your offer to study with us. If you would like to get in touch between these days, please email us at paris@kent.ac.uk.

From 19 April, applicants should be able to contact us via the portal once more. We apologise for this inconvenience and look forward to receiving any enquiries by email during this period of time.