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    I have decided to set up a new separate blog related to only my MA Design work.
    Throughout this blog I intend to share my thoughts and inspiration whilst investigating further into branding and identity.


    I found it difficult to relate back to discussing my Masters work through this blog, with at the same time posting about other general design stuff. I like to keep things consistent, especially with the intention to track my own design journey.  I do intend to also keep this blog going as much as I possibly can, however if you find yourself missing me and my many blog updates, you can keep up to date with me over at Wordpress. 

    You can see my new blog here at nicholawatkiss.wordpress.com

    If you do not have a Wordpress blog, you can still follow my updates through a subscription. This means my posts will get emailed to you. However, I am probably not that interesting, but the option is there for you anyway.
  • During my long weekend visit to Paris this week, I went to the Louvre, which is the world’s most visited art museum and a historic monument. 










     







     




























    Nearly 35,000 objects from prehistory to the 19th century are exhibited over an area of 60,600 square metres holding a vast collection of work including works painted by such French masters as Achille Michallon and Jacques Blanchard.
    At the museum was also the famous portrait of Lisa Gherardini, wife of Francesco del Giocond painted by the Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci. The painting has been acclaimed to be the best known, the most visited, written about, sung about and most parodied work of art in the world...which is clear after seeing the surprising crowd of people and security guards surrounding it.


    The collection is divided among eight curatorial departments: Egyptian Antiquities; Near Eastern Antiquities; Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities; Islamic Art; Sculpture; Decorative Arts; Paintings; Prints and Drawings. It was great to see, and encouraging to think about seeing such a vast collection of work inspired by culture.
    What I was quite interested in too, was learning much more about the French revolution, which during this time the Louvre was transformed into a public museum. It was declared by the Assembly during this time that the Louvre would be "a place for bringing together monuments of all the sciences and arts”.

  • For centuries Paris has been a flourishing European cultural centre, the city's multicultural inheritance is admired in hundreds of museums, galleries and churches that grace nearly every part of the city.









    For centuries Paris has been a flourishing European cultural centre, the city's multicultural inheritance is admired in hundreds of museums, galleries and churches that grace nearly every part of the city. Unfortunately I did not take along my best camera and neither was the weather brilliant to truly capture the cities cast of architectural splendour that gives the city its most luxurious appeal, however I am sure it is clear that my time in Paris was very much enjoyed.


    Pieces of art found in private galleries or on open-air exhibitions clearly indicate that the colonial past of France and the contemporary immigration boom have left a permanent mark on the cultural consciousness of the city. Various experiences of immigrants from all over the world are inscribed in local art and architecture.
    To start off our Parisian culture experience, we visited many of the museums to study the history of Paris as represented in the masterpiece paintings and sculptures. One of the best places we visited was The Louvre. The museum holds a vast collection of works from 13th to 19th Centuries, including works painted by such French masters as Achille Michallon and Jacques Blanchard.

    Paris was truly beautiful to see, I already want to go back. I am especially missing Nutella Ice Cream…