London, Great Britain. September 7, 2016
A quick ride on the Eurostar from Paris, zooming under the English Channel, we arrive in Saint Pancras in London where we took a cab to RBKC - The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea - yeah, nothing less!
Arriving at Dominique and Jacques' beautiful home late afternoon.
On time for a drink with Victoire D. (D for Drama Queen) and Charles & Susie W., Charles was in business school with Jacques and Pierre.
Next morning, Isabelle and Dominique are attending a private preview of the new Design Museum while Jacques and Pierre are jogging around Hyde and Kensington Parks. We all meet for lunch at the Arts Club. Afternoon, walking through St James Park to the Tate Britain for an orgy of William Turner paintings.
Day 2: Morning and Lunch at the Tate Modern. Such a wonderful museum, we could spend days admiring these extensive exhibits!
A very interesting exhibit titled "Between Object and Architecture" puts on display works from artists such as Roni Horn - Pink Tons (2009), Tony Cragg - Stack (1975), Marty Martin - Inversions (1966) shown below in that order along with Isabelle frolicking in an installation (we forgot the artist name).
"Artist Rooms" is showcasing Louise Bourgeois.
Who Owns What (2012) from Barbara Kruger challenges the culture of consumption and poses a very relevant question at a time when statistics reveal that wealth is concentrated in even fewer hands, with the richest 1% owning as much as the remaining 99% combined....
Not known for its sculptures but neverless brilliant, Henri Matisse's Backs are the artist's largest sculptures. All were cast in bronze after the artist's death.
A painting Poem from Joan Miró definitely caught our attention.
In the Studio at Tate Modern, a display juxtaposes artwork from Monet and Rothko. Claude Monet and Mark RothKo contemplates the immersive power of large-scale paintings by both artists.
Beautiful views over the Thames from the Restaurant on top of the Tate Modern.
Isabelle took the train to Brighton to spend the afternoon with Charlotte P., her goddaughter. Charlotte lives in a charming house with her husband Jamie and adorable little boy, Maxime. Charlotte is a talented artist focusing on children illustrations based on what children do and say. Check her website at littlelellow.com. Brighton is a very "Hipster" town which reminded Isabelle of Austin - Great Time!
While Isabelle was traveling to Sussex, Pierre met Baptiste G. at the Churchill War Rooms Museum, for a captivating tour of the underground military headquarters where Churchill conducted the war against Hitler during the London bombings by the Nazi. Pierre and Baptiste took a long walk back home through Trafalgal Square, Piccadilly Circle, Marble Arches and the Lycee Français - memory lane for Baptiste. It was the perfect guided city tour - Also Great Time!
The next day we are heading with Dominique and Jacques to Chiddingfold in the Surrey to spend the weekend at Alexandra and Cyril's place in the beautiful English countryside.
