See yesterday's post for more background on these works that I photographed in the pottery village called La Borne. The Centre Céramique Contemporaine was displaying an amazing range of objects in all different styles when we were there last month.
I like the one on the right here especially for the colors, patterns, and textures. Like many of Meunier's characters, this one seems to be walking. Moving. Only a few of the characters are standing still or seated.
Why is this man riding a pig? Notice that it seems to be a piggybank. This man is also on the move. I suppose there is humor here. Why is nobody wearing shoes?
By the way, a piggybank in French is une tirelire. The word probably comes from Italian, where tire means to throw, and lire means coins.
This figure is riding a horse, as you can see. It looks like a merry-go-round horse to me. Life is a carrousel?
La Pomme
This objet is called « La Pomme ». Would that be « La Grosse Pomme » ("The Big Apple")? I don't know anything about the artist's experience, but New York might be a favorite subject of his. Thanks to Diogenes for the point he made yesterday and the link to a 1930s photo taken in that city.
I think this must be a horse too. Probably has a certain spring in his step. Again, so many barefooted people moving forward. But going nowhere?
Happy Fourth to the American commenters. Let’s hope by the next one Donnie LXV will be gone and forgotten! One can dream, can one?
ReplyDeleteFor some reason, the second and third photos make me think of Sancho Panza and Don Quixote respectively!
DeleteYes ! chm, exactly :)
DeleteThanks, CHM. Your fete is ten days away now. I love them both.
Deletechm did you mean XV, or XIV or XVI?
DeleteIsn't 45 in Roman numerals XLV?
DeleteYes, Ken, you're right. What I wrote wwas 65 when I meant 45. Thanks for the correction.
DeleteD, XIV, XV or XVI would have been too classy!
chm I thought you meant an analogy to Louis XV, so I was thinking of Louis XIV or Louis XVI.
DeleteI wasn;t thinking of US president #s, lol.
The little folk also have serious problems with their neck vertebrae.
ReplyDeleteThey are rubber-neckers. Do you know that term?
DeleteYes ! However, do you know 'pain in the neck'? No wonder they are sad! Are these designed as wall lights or is this an enlightened way for their display?
DeleteI don't understand your question about these being wall lights. I do know what pain in the neck means. I didn't know whether rubber-necking and rubber-necker were specifically American expressions. I guess I need to look them up in the Collins-Robert dictionary, or on dictionary.com, which both give notes on U.S. and British usage.
DeletePrevious post photos I thought were backlit, on second , better, look they are spot lit. My bad! Do you know 'Gongoozler' that relates especially to canal watching. It's a bit more laid-back than rubber-necking. Love our language.
DeleteMeunier is starting to grow on me. That pig piece is funny. I looked up piggy back and somehow it really means like a back pack which makes sense.
ReplyDeleteMany of his pieces have a 70s vibe in a good way.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. I wonder how old he is.
DeleteThere is a famous CA artist that did these kind of humorous ceramics. Sorry for the long link:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.google.com/search?q=david+gilhooly+frog&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiXtq7gg4bcAhWCilQKHb2_CUoQsAQIKA&biw=1920&bih=943#imgrc=_