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Friday, February 01, 2013

Cheveux Cheris - Musee Branly

Mardi 28 janvier Cheveur Cherie/Beloved Hair musee Branly

A facinating range of objet, photos, paintings, artifacts showing/using hair in ways unimaginable. Plus reflecting trends of the times both Western and worldwide.

Some of the hairdos of various times will knock your socks off.
Remember bouffants and the serf?
Did you iron your hair? 
 
The Branly mentions:
'The strict, orderly appearance of buns, plaits and braids may represent a desire to conform to social norms...'
Yet French author Colette lounging in a hamock could not look more relaxed?
Yet the infamous shaving off of all hair as a public sign of shame in this famous end-of World WarII photo of Robert Capa's could not be more intense. These women referred to as the 'toneurs'(sp) and punished for having slept with the enemy.
 
Amazing capes made from hair residue found in brushes. Hard to believe. I looked at my hair in the brush last night and wondered.
 
An astonishing Chinese headress made of tiny braids woven together.
 
Tell me the name of this star with the fab hair. I've forgotten.
 
Did you know Picasso refused to cut his hair until France was liberated at the end of the war?

Evidently full length hairy capes are not so unusual no matter what culture.
One of the Branly titles mentioned the signifigance of hair color: 'Western civilizations historically recognize seven major groups of hair colour - black, brown, auburn, chestnut,red, blond, grey and white - and each hair colour comes with its own stereotypes.'
As Veronique and I left the Branly this unleashed dog ran after a small spaniel. We heard its owner call out,
"Blackie, come back!"
Bonne/Bon Week-End!
 

27 comments:

  1. That must have been an interesting exhibit. Yuck to the hair cape (why is it that hair off the head seems so unappealing).

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  2. That cape gives a whole new meaning to "hair shirt"!
    I often thought about saving the silky hair from my Kerry Blue terrier to make yarn and knit it. Not so much with the Airedale wiry hair!

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  3. Anonymous9:28 AM


    LOVE today's post - who knew Colette had so much hair?
    Is that Josephine Baker?
    Thanks so much!
    Barbara

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  4. that looks like Josephine Baker to me, too!

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  5. Anonymous10:03 AM

    Love your art, your adventures, your dog photo’s and your blog.
    I guess I love it all!!!
    I think the actress is Carmon Miranda.
    I did not realize that the Branly had such interesting exhibits and
    events. Have an apartment right across
    from the Branly in late March into April. Certainly will check
    out the Branly more. Thank you for that.
    Have you ever gone to the Les ombre restaurant in the Branly?
    Have heard mixed reviews. Want to try.
    Cindy

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    Replies
    1. Supposed to be fab I hear but can't afford it dahlink...
      No not Carmen that I know having been to her museum in Rio
      No bananas ! And yes the Branly is always outstanding

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  6. Anonymous10:23 AM

    Josephine Baker????
    Judith

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    Replies
    1. Yup that has to be Josephine Baker!
      You all got it...mostly

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  7. Anonymous11:43 AM

    The photograph is off Jososephine Baker. She was a very famous cabaret entertainer.

    ~Karen

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  8. Anonymous12:28 PM

    I had 2 Bearded Collies years ago. My sister took their hair and spun it with a Sheep's wool and made me a knitted gift from it . Its amazing how strong hair can be!

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    Replies
    1. Fabulous!
      They had many strange things in the exhibit but all were human hair...no Bearded Collies unfortunately...
      Dommage

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  9. I love the long-haired Mary Magdalene in the Louvre...

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  10. (but then I'm partial to long-haired creatures, evidenced by Harry the Many-Haired Cat...)

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  11. Anonymous2:14 PM

    I believe it's Josephine Baker. Incidentally, my wife and I saw this exhibit in October last year. Fun to see some of it again. Enjoy your blog tres boucoup.
    Max

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    Replies
    1. Merci Max...quite a fabulous show with all levels of content. So hard to choose what to show in the post...

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  12. Delightful, Carol. Love all your sketches, too!

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  13. Incredible! I can't say I find it all that appealing, but I'll go check it out, strictly based on your recommendation, Carol.

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  14. The quai Branly has the most interesting exhibits, doesn't it! For whatever reason your post brought back the sad memory of the room at the U.S. Holocaust Museum that was full of hair shorn from the heads of death camp internees...

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  15. Great, photos and very funny! Love how you worked the dogs in :)

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  16. We mustn't ever forget Lady Godiva. Especially now that she's been immortalized in chocolate!

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  17. Anonymous5:53 PM

    Bonjour, I know that during the Victorian era they made "médaillons" out of loved one's hair. I saw some exemples in a victorian magazine once and it was lovely. Very sophisticated.
    Thank you for all the interesting information from Paris.
    Joanne

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  18. What an intriguing exhibition. I've never been to Quai Branly. Maybe I'll have to check it out sometime. I see that Cheveux is on until July- perhaps I will get to see it.

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  19. it just goes to show: there must be a museum for Everything in Paris!

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  20. Anonymous2:19 PM

    Just came across your blog via FT's how to spend it website and wanted to let you know how much I love it!Your artwork is wonderful and you make everyday life look so delicious in your choice of water colours.
    Best Regards,
    Teresa

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  21. Glad to see you're eating up Paris, Carolg! xo

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