Hi, faithful Readers. Thank you for coming back to my blog. I kind of feel like I have bailed on you of late, not even giving decent responses to comments on the previous two blogs. I apologize for not following up better. It’s not because I did not appreciate what you had to say! I did. Thank you to everyone who read and commented.
My only excuse is that with my motto of “Life first, blog later!” I have indeed been out, living life! This is a good thing. This is not to say I have abandoned you, entirely. In fact, you may notice I have made some changes around the Alien Parisienne home. I’ve got a new WordPress theme, and behind-the-scenes I have been working on revamping my links page (turning it into pages, plural), with more information for you. I am taking pictures for posts and have plenty of ideas of things to write about that are fermenting in the giant Blog Vat, aka My Brain. One thing I could use is a wee bit more time, or, rather, the ability to better manage what time I do have. *sigh* Can I get a holla from anyone else who struggles with that?!
I’m here today, though, as I have a Special Report where time is of the essence, and where my presence at the press event today means I need to get on the stick and actually post about it quickly to generate that “Internet Buzz” that is hoped-for by the people who invited me. By getting to go to these things (usually courtesy of Paris Paul who is the one who gets the invites – I am usually the +1), it means I have to be on the ball enough to go ahead and write about them tout de suite!
So, here you go. This is a write-up about a new exhibition opening Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at the Musée des Arts et Métiers:
RADIO – OUVREZ GRAND VOS OREILLES! / RADIO – OPEN YOUR EARS!
Continue reading to find out more about this exhibition.
In brief:
RADIO – OUVREZ GRAND VOS OREILLES! / RADIO – OPEN YOUR EARS!
What is it?
The Musée des Arts et Métiers – the Museum of Arts and Crafts, with Radio France and the National Audiovisual Institute, presents its new temporary exhibition “Radio: Open Your Ears!” (Fr: Radio: Ouvrez grand vos oreilles!) devoted to the history of radio broadcasting in France.
Where is it?
The Musée des Arts et Métiers
60 rue Réamur, Paris 75003
Radio from the 1920s and 1930s
When is it?
From February 28, 2012 to September 2, 2012
Tuesdays to Sundays, 10 am to 6 pm; Thursday evenings until 9:30 pm.
(closed Mondays, May 1, and December 25)
Radio of the 1940s
How much does it cost?
Full price (exhibition only): € 5.50, Reduced price: € 3.50
Combined ticket, Permanent and temporary exhibitions:
Full price: € 7.50, Reduced price: € 5.50; Under 18: € 3.50
Métro Arts-et-Métiers
How can I get there?
Métro Arts-et-Métiers (lines 3 & 11) or Réamur Sébastopol (line 4)
Buses: 20, 38, 39, or 47
Map (and other practical information)
Radio 1960-1995
Why should I go?
Have you ever stopped to consider the integral role that radio has played in our lives? At the “Radio: Open Your Ears!” exhibition, you can learn about not only the history of radio in France, but its impact on the sociopolitical and cultural landscape of France as well, and correspondingly, the world. The exhibit is creatively designed around an interactive timeline that brings the history of radio to life.
So, who will enjoy this exhibition?
- People whose French is reasonably good. I’m still a beginner, yet can read quite a bit of French and get the gist. The exhibition is text and, naturally, audio-heavy, and is only in French. It is great practice for listening and reading in French, though!
- People who are interested in the history of France. The development of radio in France is a really interesting point-of-view for examining critical points in modern French history, such as World War II and the uprising of May 1968 and the role radio played in each.
- People who enjoy the development of technology and mass media. This is pretty much a given: if you are someone who is interested in seeing the actual radios used in the past, starting from the earliest of radios up to the present-day digital versions, you will enjoy this. If you are someone who has reasonable French and would like to learn more about the role of mass media in France, you will also find this exhibition of value.
- People who like really cool museum exhibition design. I thought the exhibition was really creatively made and well-lit. I’d say for this alone, if you are planning on a trip to the Musée des Arts et Métiers while in Paris anyway, why not go ahead and buy a combined ticket and check out the exhibition? I really liked all of the giant radio designs which doubled as exhibit rooms as I traveled through time in the history of radio.
More information: Go to the Musée des Arts et Métiers website — http://www.arts-et-metiers.net
Radio from 2000 to the present
What did I think about it?
I got a kick out of seeing all the historic radios and appreciated learning more about French history via the development of the radio waves (“les ondes”). I think the exhibit is worth checking out! In fact, I have been meaning to go to the permanent collection at the Musée des Arts et Métiers for quite a while now – I have heard there are quite a lot of interesting technological and scientific/engineering marvels to learn about there. I should go back and check the radio exhibition out once more while I am at it. If you are in Paris, I recommend that you check out the museum’s permanent collection – and for just a couple of euros extra, learn something about the history of radio in France until September 2012.
Over and out.
Paris Karin
(an alien parisienne)
"2011 - Each day, 81.8% of French listen to the radio"
An Alien Parisienne 
I love that museum, especially the side chapel.
Hi there, Linda! So nice to see you here. I was looking at the map of the museum I picked up, thinking yet again, “I *have* to see the permanent collection!” Soon, soon. Maybe this week, even.
Take care!
First of all, I LOVE the new look! Bravo, looking forward to reading posts once they get greased through the vat 😉 I am sad that I will not get to see this show as I won’t be back until October, it is actually something I really would have enjoyed seeing. Radio was an activity that the family could sit around participate in together, much like early TV until all the other conveniences of life made family-time in front of the radio or TV practically obsolete. Historically to go from letters to newspapers to telegraphs and then get “instant” news with the radio is fascinating history to me. And radio has not died yet! Things like NPR remind people that the medium is still something to be appreciated.
Hello there, Andi! Thank you so much. This was the free theme that I liked the most, and I like the rough-around-the-edges, journal-with-things-taped-in-it feel. Suits me well! (Although there was this *one* — but not for the price it was, lol. Leave it to me to fall head-over-heels with one of the expensive WP themes!)
Here’s to production from the vat. I was thinking about the one and only French trip I have ever taken, and it was to Bordeaux and I toured a winery. I thought of those large winemaking vats when I wrote that, and all the fermentation going on therein. That’s my brain. Hopefully, I will be bottling the ideas really soon. 🙂
This is the thing that really came home to me as I was touring the exhibit — radio played such an integral role in people’s homes for many decades. I have to say, we are keeping family time in front of the TV alive and well by eating dinner in front of it. 😉
Your mentioning NPR reminded me about how there was information with people talking about podcasts and how that is yet another incarnation of radio. I love listening to NPR podcasts! They have the best ones! Radio is definitely not dead, sometimes just dressed up in different terms.
Thank you for reading, Andi.
Great post Karin! Like the new format, and yes the Conservatoire des Arts et Metiers is a fabulous place!
Hello DeeBee! So nice to see you here! I was just checking on your posts about Paris to see if you have a write-up on the museum. Not yet! But I hope people will see this link and go check it out. 🙂 I went to read the post about the Saint-Serge Russian Orthodox Church. That was such a nice walk with you that day.
Thank you for your comment on the previous post, too. I still owe you a reply via email. I’ll get to it soon! I was off living life this morning. 🙂
Take care, DeeBee.
Oui ~ you can get an Hola! from me :-))
This musée was on my short list for our last visit, but never made it. I understand the metro stop is rather Jules Verne and worth a look in and of itself.
Hello Armchair Parisian! Thanks for the holla. I mean, really — it is just so hard some days to get to the Work, huh. But here I am, commenting away. Yay! I actually have more time this week and it feels good to have written this post, made replies on comments, and I have gotten some other things accomplished. It feels good.
I love the Métro Arts-et-Métiers. It is just like being in a Jules Verne book, like the submersible in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. It’s so steampunk!!
There was a bad thing that happened after those pictures, though. I have run into a lot of homeless on Métro cars this winter. Unfortunately just after taking those pics, I got on a car and there were two homeless men “sleeping” (passed out?) at different ends of the car. One had his butt out of his pants. The entire car smelled horribly of caca. I think Mr Pants-Down had pooped. Ew. It’s not the first time that something like that has happened on Line 11 (and Line 3 — both of which hook up at the Métro stop there). But to see the cool Métro, you have to go to Line 11! I’d like to find out why those two lines in particular seem to have an issue with homeless passed out on the cars, smelling like poo.
Sorry. The Seamy Side of Paris. It does exist.
I hope someday you can go. 😀 (LOL. Not that you want to after that story, lol.)
Take care, Armchair. Hope you can get lots of work accomplished!
I wish I could go to this! I went to this musée in November and loved it.
Thanks for reminding me of it and sharing the news – mes oreilles sont toujours ouvertes aux nouvelles de toi!
🙂
Hi Cynthia!! So nice to see you here! I miss having you around in Paris, and I think she misses you, too. 🙂 Thank you for all the terrific blog posts of late. I don’t comment on every one, but I do read. Since I subscribe, I get them all in my inbox and read them as they arrive.
Thank you, too, for letting me know you loved the museum. Paul’s kids dubbed it “boring” I am pretty sure, and some seem to feel it is not the “sexiest” of Paris museums, but those people I really resonate with like it a lot, and it makes me want to go there all the more!
Thank you for having ears wide open for new posts. 🙂 I hope that I can be forthcoming. I know that you have been integral in helping me understand my creative place in the world and it is having an impact, even if I sometimes feel too slow about it. And anyone who is reading this should go check out your site if they need a creative jump-start! It’s inspiring just reading your blogs and about all that you offer with Original Impulse.
Say a warm and fuzzy hello to Denver for me. 🙂
It was a fun exhibit and you really did it justice here. Your photographs are superb and the collages turned out really well. The new look rocks and so does this post!
Hello, Mr. Paris Karin! 😉
I was impressed with the exhibit — maybe even more so reflecting on it after attending. I’m realizing how much I really did learn, even if I didn’t understand the guy who was explaining things to us very well. He meant well — it was just hard for me to follow given my lack of French Skilz.
I’m glad the collages came out all right. I keep hoping maybe the museum people will see them and like them, too. 🙂 I had fun deciding on how things would go together. Did you notice that the different eras of radio were actually color-coded?!? I didn’t until putting together the collages! The design for this middle-sized exhibit is exceptional, I think. I’ll be curious to see what kind of turnout there is for this exhibit.
Take care & see you ’round the bloghood and the living room.
Oh how I wish I could go! My husband and I collect all manner of old weird stuff. We think old stuff is sexy…we have too many old typewriters, tv tubes, radio tubes, old old projectors, old cameras and Wait for it… An old EKG machine!
I would have loved to see the old radios. It would have out me in covet mode.
Not a great place to be but there you go!
THank you for taking me away with you!
Peace, Jen
Hello, Jen! Thank you for reading. 🙂
If you like old stuff, well heck yeah! This exhibit would be just the thing for you! Seeing all the old radios was really neat, and I loved the ones from the 50s.
Seriously? An old EKG machine?? 😀 Hee hee hee! That’s fun! Does it work???
You’re welcome for a little armchair travel. I aim to please in that department. 😉
Take care, Jen.
Can I just say that I really love how in this WP theme, my replies look like crumpled up pieces of paper? Too cool. Just my style. 🙂 I’m glad I picked this theme.
Hi Karin – I really like your new theme, too – especially the crumpled paper replies! Must be the “season” for blog revamping – I’ve spent the past couple of weekends redoing my own blog! New header, new color scheme, larger photos, etc.
This looks like such a great exhibit. Minnesota Public Radio is the soundtrack of my life…indeed, what would life be without radio?
Is there public radio / Classical music radio in France-Paris?
Hi Amy! Thank you for coming back to visit my blog. I saw your comment on Sion’s post, too, and sure! If you are in town, let’s go!! I have to say I was just at the Quai Branly tonight, too, and I was SO impressed with that museum. I have to go back. So many museums, so little time (and €€€, lol). I need to start going on Free Sundays again…
I need to go over and check out your blog to see what’s going on there, too. It’s nice to do a little bit of sprucing up, no?
MN Public Radio!!! Love! Well, all public radio. I download the News from Lake Wobegon podcasts of Garrison Keillor, though, so I really, really ♥ MN Public Radio. 🙂 About Paris, I am sure there is. Honestly, I never listen to the radio, though! Not here. My radio listening has almost always been in the car, and now that I don’t have one and use only public transportation, I either listen to podcasts in English or music on the iPod. Heh. Or stuff on YouTube, lol. Or news stuff, but more likely past shows of Jon Stewart. 😉 (I probably should not write that on a post that is supporting radio in France, haha!)
Be well, Amy, and thank you for reading.
Hi there Karin — I agree with everything your hubby said! Your blog and this post rock!
I think Clive (and I) would really like this exhibit so it’s now on our list for next visit. Thank you — for your usual thoroughness and insight, not to mention great clear, well-organised writing.
Cheers and keep writing!!
Hi there, Carolyn!! So cool to see you here. I appreciate your reading! I hope that you and Clive can check this out. I kept thinking about how certain people I know would like this. I especially think it is one of the exhibits that has a lot of “guy appeal” — more than perhaps going to Laudrée for macarons, lol. Orrrr, maybe certain kind of guys would like it. (I’m starting to dig a hole here, lol. I had better quit while I am ahead!)
Thanks for the kudos on the report, Carolyn. You take care of yourself and “hello” to Clive, too!
Hi Karin,
It is nice to see you blogging! I have been checking in on ya, now and then. 😉
Thank you for your review of this very interesting exhibit. I have never been to this museum either.I enjoy museums. For a couple of euros, you can learn something and step out a bit of your daily life to experience something new.
Take care and catch you soon.
Bises.
Hello there, Barb. Thank you for coming back to visit, too. 🙂 Yup, I hope to up my blogging rate a little bit — I was just happy that the mood and muse was with me to get this one knocked out. I like going to these kinds of things and checking out new stuff. Adds a little spice to life, no? Carpe diem. 🙂
You take care, too, Barb, and see you very soon. 😉
xx
Karin
A new post! Awesome. This is a great presentation. How wild. Today, began my weekly commentary on KOSU. =) I wish I could see this exhibit. Radio was a big part of my life growing up. My dad had a weekly radio devotional when we lived in West Texas. And, when I was a teenager, Casey Kasem (sp?) and Paul Harvey were my constant companions. (What a geek I were.) Ha!
Also, I really like the motto, Life First, Blog Later. That would make an awesome graphic for pinterest. maybe I’ll make it!! WIth attribution of course.
Hi Jen! Well, cool coincidence with the commentary on KOSU (I just now saw the post — will comment soon!). Congrats! Radio really is cool, in that retro-cool kind of way, no? I don’t know what I would do without my NPR podcasts! I am grooving on the Pop Culture Happy Hour ones right now. Casey Kasem was really fun to listen to — the radio countdown show, right? That show makes me think of road trips through the Midwest, lol. And I loved Paul Harvey’s voice. I guess that makes me a geek, too. I think we’re in good company. 😉
Well, Bonii Jo, a fellow blogger of mine back in the day was the one who said it to me when I was whining about the tension between wanting to blog and wanting/needing to live life. It would be a *great* graphic. Let me know if you do it!
Thanks for stopping by, Jen. Take care!
Couldn’t venture to this Museum in my last visit to Paris.
Should come again to Paris.
When I visited Paris this mobile app helped me out so good in Paris, you should check this out too! Its an offline Metro RER map so I saved pretty much on Taxi and got lotta info on Tourist Places! And its really a cheap app too, less than a dollar!!!
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/paris-by-metro/id459403677?mt=8