Nov

In the Wake of the Paris Attacks

by Meredith Mullins on November 23, 2015

Le Carillon, one of the sites of Paris attacks of 13 November, with flowers and messages showing the spirit of French cultural beliefs. (Image © Meredith Mullins)

Flowers and messages surround Le Carillon, one of the restaurants attacked on November 13.
© Meredith Mullins

French Spirit and Cultural Beliefs Are Woven with Strength and Courage

We don’t usually foresee danger in our daily routines—in restaurants, bars, sports stadiums, or concert halls. We expect to be safe in movie theatres, office buildings, trains, churches, airplanes, and schools—even with past history embedded in our memory.

Sadly, at this time in a world where hatred, violence, guns, and insanity are more common than we could have ever imagined, the risk of danger becomes hauntingly familiar. The possibility plants itself at the edges of our consciousness.

And then the unthinkable happens. Terrorists attack the very essence of everyday rhythms. They assault innocent people—people eating, laughing, cheering their team, drinking, dancing to heavy metal, talking with friends and neighbors.

Commemorating the victims of the attacks at the Place de la République
© Meredith Mullins

The Paris Attacks

Paris suffered such attacks on 13 November, 2015. A night of shock and terror, endless sirens, confusion, and tragedy hanging heavy in the air.

A night that brought to light the fact that there is much we do not know about the terrorist underworld. A night that exposed the weaknesses in many of the systems built to keep us safe. A night that was followed by police raids, more attacks (Mali), and threats of attacks (Belgium). A night that reverberates around the world.

French soldiers guard Notre Dame after the Paris attacks, which brought out the best of French cultural beliefs in the aftermath. (Image © Meredith Mullins.)

French soldiers guard Notre Dame Cathedral.
© Meredith Mullins

French President Hollande declared a state of emergency. The police went into overdrive, putting pieces of the puzzle together and doing everything possible to identify those responsible and shut down future attacks.

Museums and monuments closed. Soldiers patrolled the streets. The country and the world mourned the dead and prayed for the wounded.

Moments of silence
© Jerry Fielder

The Spirit of France

These dramatic events were filled with “Oh, I see” moments. The most meaningful, for me was the immediate emotional and heartfelt stance for the values and cultural beliefs that are at the heart of the character of France.

Sign showing the spirit of French cultural beliefs after the Paris attacks. (Image © Meredith Mullins)

The spirit of Paris
© Meredith Mullins

Liberté. Egalité. Fraternité. Strength. Resilience. Defiance. Solidarity. Love. Desire for peace. Courage to overcome fear. Respect for life.

Place de la République was transformed into an impromptu memorial to commemorate the victims and pledge allegiance to freedom. The words même pas peur (not afraid) became not just a headline, but a mantra.

Place de la République after the Paris attacks showing the spirit of French cultural beliefs. (Image © Meredith Mullins.)

Même Pas Peur (Not Afraid)
© Meredith Mullins

The Eiffel Tower shimmered with the proud blue, white, and red of the French flag.

The motto for the city of Paris “Fluctuat nec mergitur” emerged as a cry of defiance. The French national anthem (La Marseillaise) burst forth spontaneously in small crowds of patriots.

The Paris Coat of Arms shows the spirit of French cultural beliefs after the Paris attacks. (Image courtesy of the City of Paris.)

The Paris Coat of Arms
Image Courtesy of the City of Paris

Drawing of Eiffel Tower by Stefan Kaufmann, showing the spirit of French cultural beliefs after the Paris attacks. (Image © Stefan Kaufmann.)

Fluctuat nec mergitur (“She is tossed by the waves but does not sink.”)
Image © Stefan Kaufmann

People paid tribute to the victims of each attack site, with silent prayers and reflection, candles, bouquets, and messages of sadness and hope. Flowers filled bullet holes.

Bullet holes at one of the restaurants in the Paris attacks, with flowers showing the spirit of French cultural beliefs. (Image © Meredith Mullins.)

Flowers filled some of the bullet holes at one of the targeted restaurants.
© Meredith Mullins

Signs of solace and solidarity covered the closed-up buildings and hung from police tape that circled the once lively terraces.

Signs on Le Petit Cambodge showing French cultural beliefs in the wake of the Paris attacks. (Image © Meredith Mullins.)

Messages on the shuttered wall of Le Petit Cambodge, including “Love is stronger than hate.”
© Meredith Mullins

As the names of victims were released and news spread through their neighborhoods, more prayers, flowers, and messages were offered for the 130 people who lost their lives—at their homes, businesses, and places of worship.

Child's drawing showing French cultural beliefs after the Paris attacks. (Image © Fiona Kemp-Griffin.)

A child speaks from her heart, drawing her tears and her sadness.
Image courtesy of Fiona

The Power of Tears and Flowers

Our lives have changed forever. France sheds tears for the loss of life and the affront to freedom. We are sad, but as many of the messages read, “We will not succumb to hate.”

With a response of courage and the conviction of core cultural beliefs, there is a glimmer of light and hope—especially when a child (in the video below) believes that les méchants of the Paris attacks (“the bad guys”) can be overpowered by the warmth of candles and the beauty of flowers.

(If video does not display, watch it here.)

Vive la France.

Comment on this post below, or inspire insight with your own OIC Moment here.

Meredith Mullins 4 Comments

Cultural Heritage & Traditions/France (Paris)

Nov

Webcam Wanderlust

by Meredith Mullins on November 10, 2015

A show that’s hard to beat: the sparkling lights of the Eiffel Tower
© Meredith Mullins

Virtual Journeys: Seeing . . . and Being Seen

Have you been waiting for the hourly light show at the Eiffel Tower?
Are you ready for a stopover in Sydney?
Do you want to see if the sun is sparkling over Niagara Falls?
Can you make time for a peek at the vivid autumn colors of New England?
Are you up for a climb to Machu Picchu?
Do you crave the energy of Times Square in New York?

All it takes is a click on a webcam link, and you are there.

Niagara Falls webcam fuels virtual wanderlust. (Image courtesy of Earthcam.)

A virtual journey to Niagara Falls via webcam.
Courtesy of Earthcam.

In the wonderful world of webcam wanderlust, you can visit places around the world whenever you want, without leaving your computer chair. There are webcams everywhere.

Real Places, Real Time, Real People

You can see the Northern Lights flash, watch pandas mate, hear the wind in the mist of thundering falls, check out gondola traffic on a Venice canal, or assess surf conditions at a Mexican beach.

Venice Grand Canal webcam inspires virtual wanderlust. (Image courtesy of Skyline Webcams.)

Feel as if you’re floating on the Grand Canal in Venice via webcam.
Courtesy of Skyline Webcams.

Of course, a virtual journey lacks the vibrancy of being there, where all your senses come alive. And webcam resolution is not the best. You are sometimes looking through raindrops, suffering from shaky camerawork as winds rock the camera, or peering through the graininess of night.

But, at least, you can see, in real time, what’s happening in the world (even if you have to wade through a few ads to get there).

Times Square at night via webcam inspires virtual wanderlust. (Image courtesy of Earthcam.)

The energy of Times Square via webcam.
Courtesy of Earthcam.

What makes the webcam scenes especially interesting are the humans who enter the stage (often quite unknowingly). I wanted to be one of these webcam stars.

Star Power

Perhaps it was all those childhood hours practicing musical numbers in the living room after my parents went to bed. Perhaps it was the fact that I had little history of being on camera—there were no home movies in my family. Perhaps it was just an obsession with fame.

My “Oh, I see” moment was clear. I wanted to appear on webcams—as many as I could find. I wanted not only to see, but to be seen.

Turning the Webcam Tide

My first audition was in St Malo, France, during one of the “high tides of the century.” One webcam there faces the sea. You can watch the tides race in, faster than a galloping horse (well, a strolling horse). And you can appear on the boardwalk, with the ebbing and flowing tide as background.

Virtual wanderlust via the St Malo webcam. (Image courtesy of city of St Malo.)

Watching the St Malo tide roll in via webcam.
Courtesy of the city of St Malo.

I alerted a friend 6,000 miles away (nine hours difference in time) that I would make my debut on webcam at a certain time. Shortly before the appointed time, the wind was howling and the waves were crashing over the boardwalk. I sent a “postponement” text and opted for the warmth and safety of my hotel room.

My friend didn’t get my text message right away and watched the fuzzy webcam image vigilantly, thinking every bundled up figure might be me. When he found out my webcam premier appearance had been postponed, he created his own imaginative reality.

Wave crashing over Meredith Mullins in St Malo, virtual wanderlust inspired by a webcam. (Image © DMT.)

Creating a webcam reality
© DMT

Messing Around in Metz

I vowed to keep my next webcam appointment no matter what the challenges. The Hôtel de Ville (City Hall) in Metz, France, provided the perfect opportunity. The webcam pointed at a large statue in the Place d’Armes. It would not be hard to position myself to be seen, and it would be easy for my viewer to see me.

Place d'Armes in Metz, virtual wanderlust inspired by webcam. (Image courtesy of the city of Metz.)

The Place d’Armes in Metz, a perfect place for a webcam debut
Courtesy of the city of Metz.

At the appointed time, I lifted my arms toward the camera. The visiting school group around me quickly backed away (as in “Step away from the madwomen.”). I held my pose and waited to be sure I was recorded.

Although I was just a fuzzy black speck on the webcam image, my moment had arrived. I was a part of webcam history. A successful (potentially award-winning?) premier.

Small black figure in the Place d'Armes in Metz, virtual wanderlust via webcam. (Image courtesy of the city of Metz.)

My webcam debut. I’m the black speck with arms raised.
Courtesy of the city of Metz and DMT.

In Pursuit of a Dream

I will continue my quest to appear on the webcams of the world. Wanderlust of the best kind.

Will I see the Big 5 on safari in Africa?

Virtual wanderlust via Tembe Elephant Park webcam. (Image courtesy of Earthcam.)

The cast of characters at the Tembe Elephant Park in southern Africa (via webcam)
Courtesy of Earthcam.

Should I toast my Irish heritage at a Dublin bar?

Virtual wanderlust via webcam of a Dublin bar. (Image courtesy of Earthcam.)

Dublin in the rain via webcam.
Courtesy of Earthcam.

Will I vacation near an azure sea on the beach at St Bart’s?

Virtual wanderlust via the St Bart's Island webcam. (Image courtesy of Earthcam.)

A dream vacation via webcam, with white sand and turquoise sea
Courtesy of Earthcam.

I hope so. But, in the meantime, I can make a virtual visit any time.

And I will caution those who may be unwitting characters in a webcam drama. Be aware. A webcam may be focused on you anywhere, anytime. The whole world could be watching.

Thank you to Earthcam, Skyline Webcams, and Africam, as well as the cities of St Malo and Metz.

Comment on this post below, or inspire insight with your own OIC Moment here.

Meredith Mullins Comments

Art of Travel/Worldwide Sites

Aug

Travel Inspiration from Pencil Lead Art

by Meredith Mullins on August 31, 2015

Pencil lead art of the Eiffel Tower by Salivat Fidai providing travel inspiration for world landmarks. (Image © Salivat Fidai.)

Russian Artist’s Tiny Carvings Get Right to the Point

Good travelers seek out adventures and stories—as well as classic world landmarks.

France’s Eiffel Tower. England’s Big Ben. Italy’s Colosseum.

These are not just icons of their countries. These structures offer travel inspiration, whether we are standing in front of one for the first time, passing by one for the hundredth time and seeing it in a new way, or studying a photograph or painting on a virtual journey.

We are so familiar with these monuments that they often seem larger than life . . . except, perhaps, when we find them on the point of a pencil.

Pencil lead art of Big Ben by Salivat Fidai providing travel inspiration for world landmarks. (Image © Salivat Fidai.)

Small is Beautiful

Russian artist Salavat Fidai offers us the world in miniature. When looking at his creations, it is easy to imagine an “Oh, I see” moment of small is beautiful.

Salavat’s dedication to bringing his sculptures to perfection makes each of his pencil lead carvings even more incredible than simply a tiny world in graphite. “Each piece is a part of my soul,” he says.

Pencil lead art of the Burj Al Arab in Dubai by Salivat Fidai providing travel inspiration for world landmarks. (Image © Salivat Fidai.)

Practically speaking, his petite sculptures are a large part of his soul. He spends many night-owl hours (after his family has gone to bed) with his magnifying glass, X-acto knife, and a carefully selected thick-leaded art pencil just right for the carving.

What’s needed? A steady hand, an eye for detail, and patience.

“I experiment with different tools,” Salavat says, “But I think I would be happy creating art out of anything.”

Matchbox of Van Gogh's Portrait of Dr. Gachet by Salivat Fidai providing travel inspiration for impressionist art. (Image © Salivat Fidai.)

Fidai’s matchbox masterpiece pays tribute to Van Gogh’s Dr. Gachet.

He creates many types of miniatures, including paintings on matchboxes and pumpkin seeds, as well as larger canvases with oils. But it is the pencil carvings that give him the greatest pleasure.

Pencil lead art of the Colosseum by Salivat Fidai providing travel inspiration for world landmarks. (Image © Salivat Fidai.)

The Challenge of Graphite

The pencil lead creative process is a meditation, he explains. It is also a lesson in precision and perseverance.

He must calculate just how much pressure the lead can bear. “Will I be able to make a micro sculpture and not break the fragile graphite?” is a question he asks himself each time.

He often masters the required balance the hard way, with broken pencils and lost hours. He defends his mis-steps poetically. “Shit happens.”

Before he perfected one of his favorite character carvings—Darth Vadar—six pencil tips bit the dust, often near the end of hours of work. The investment of hours and the intricacy of the subject make the final sculpture even more appreciated.

He keeps things interesting with a wide range of subjects, from world landmarks to pop culture personalities to a freedom fist in honor of the Charlie Hebdo cartoonists.

He interacts often with his followers on social media, appreciating all comments—from the simple “OMG” and “Awesome” to the more concerned, “Why do you keep doing this when you could die from lung cancer?”

Pencil lead art of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai by Salivat Fidai providing travel inspiration for world landmarks. (Image © Salivat Fidai.)

A Deep-Rooted Love of Art

Salavat began this new profession last year after he was laid off from a law practice in Ufa, Russia. Rather than pursuing his law career in another firm, he decided to experiment with an old passion.

Both his parents are art teachers, so the love of art was already deeply rooted in his life. He studied the work of pencil lead artist Dalton Ghetti and is continually inspired by the impressionists, especially Vincent Van Gogh.

Salavat Fidai in his studio, working on pencil lead art and miniatures that provide travel inspiration for his fans. (Image courtesy of Salivat Fidai.)

The night owl, Salavat Fidai, in his studio/workshop
Photo courtesy of Salavat Fidai

Just as he was influenced by his parents, so too does he motivate his own children. They are drawn to the artistic life.

“They need to find their own unique style and purpose,” he says.

He offers to them the advice he lives by himself. “Experiment . . . and don’t be afraid to make a mistake.”

Even if it means a pile of broken pencils.

It’s worth it. Salavat’s pencil lead art takes us on an amazing world tour. Travel inspiration of the best kind—a journey of imagination.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sdx3B6ewFX0

If video does not display, watch it here.

Comment on this post below, or inspire insight with your own OIC Moment here.