Paris with Lennon

I've been having a great time in Paris. From the first night I have been gallivanting around Paris with artist Lennon Jno-Baptiste. He has been gracious enough to show the art scene in Paris. Well, I kind of just bug him enough so that he feels somewhat obligated to show me around.

Our first opening was at Vallois where well known artist Richard Jackson was showing. I really did not know what to expect, but it felt like a regular New York opening. It wasn’t disappointing, I enjoyed the pseudo-familiarity. Afterwards, I had dinner with Lennon, gallerist Carole Wagemans, a collector, and artist Alberta Mayo. We drank wine, ate fabulous food, and talked about art all night, pretty much what I would call heaven.

The next day I got really lost trying to find Lennon's apartment. I guess it’s good to get lost if you want to see more of Paris but when you are late for an appointment it just becomes annoying. Lennon was chill enough to receive me with no judgments.

The studio visit was definitely satisfying. I finally got to ask Lennon some questions about his work. I've known about his work for about two years. I love his work so much I have it on my photo ipod. I'll be interviewing him on Monday.

After the studio visit we went to see Davide Bertocchi's exhibit, One Shot at Nuke Gallery. Simply put, it was very interesting and fun. It was fun mostly because I was part of the exhibit. Last year I was one of the chosen one's from the art world to submit one song for his project Top 100 Vol. 2. The song I submitted was the Pursuit of Happiness by the Weekend Players. It just so happened I was wearing that album out when Davide asked. One Shot consisted of marble records with various statements etched into the label and a marble stereo system. When you go you are invited to choose a song from the list and the wonderful gallerist, in my case Verane Pena, will play it for you. Of course I chose my song. I wiggled my fanny while I tried to focus on all the information Verane was giving me. She sent me packing with a limited edition Top 100 Vol. 2 CD, Nuke's magazine and a list of galleries in the area. When my song was done Lennon and I attempted to go through the list of galleries.

The next evening I made poor Lennon come with me to the several gallery openings. I say poor Lennon because it was raining cats and dogs. The rain plus the chill did not make for the most inviting conditions for gallery hopping on tiny sidewalks with one umbrella. If I were in New York I wouldn’t have been out. Somehow we made due. There so many galleries we went to I really forgot most of it. I do remember that I saw way too much American art. I saw more work by U.S. Americans than French or even European. There were two galleries that I enjoyed the most, Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin and Galerie Michel Rein. At the latter gallery there was a video by Stefan Nikolaev called . This video made smoking look like the most sensual act you could engage in with another human being. The kiss was two cigarettes lighting each other while remaining in the owner's mouth and using no hands. Later I really had to have a cigarette with my drink even though I supposedly gave up smoking.

Today I will be going to Parc de la Villette for an exhibit on love. After a very soggy night I hope Lennon will not be too tired of me to come along.