The Paris "adventure" - Naji Kamouche exhibition

Thursday afternoon - The 24th of January 2013

I decided to walk to the Forum des Halles and try to find some books and CDs I hadn't been able to find in Portugal. As I approached it several architectural details caught my attention, amongst which was the 1549 Fontaine des Innocents ... the fact that it was re-allocated on what used to be a cemetery ... gave this square a rather "ephemeral-like" and sacred ground to walk on and stop at for a while.

Coldness and some mourning-like thoughts led me into FNAC where I ended up spending quite a long time rejoicing at the wide variety of choice in regards to English Literature and Music.

I then walked back to Marais so as to relax at the hotel before heading to the exhibition vernissage I had been invited to.

I met Naji and Jean Jacques prior to the exhibition opening, which was really nice, once I was gradually introduced to many of the people who were gathering for it, thus allowing me to later not feel so "outcast". The Modern Gallery was inside a courtyard which could not be seen from the outside on Rue du Temple, which further added a secretive type of approach to the whole thing.  

I had been "acquainted" with most of the works Naji would be exposing, though having seen them in a brochure is not exactly the same as seeing them in their full splendour and size, apart from the fact that he included some of his most recent works as well.

In a wide variety of artistic approaches Naji Kamouche's works are not as innocent as they look .... they are overcharged with meaning ... and one has got to get into his frame of mind to really understand what he is trying to convey ...

The atmosphere around the event was a rather interesting one, once it gathered many people from the various fields of Art, ranging from writers to theatre actors ..., though the most important was the fact that each one of us, whether or not specifically Art related got together to appreciate Art in a cosy sort of environment and atmosphere ...

Another Rajasthan trip companion, Aurélien decided to show up, so the four of us still had time to remember some of the episodes we experienced not long ago.

When the exhibition was over thirty of us went to a restaurant so as to continue celebrating Naji's artistic projection. A rather unforgettable evening with  very interesting people sharing some quite exquisite Asian food, which made us all want to continue celebrating throughout the night.

 

I got back to the hotel long gone eleven ... feeling happy with the fact that I decided to accept this invitation to travel to Paris to be at a vernissage.