Travel begins before we take off for our destination. It starts with the decision to “go.” While we think that preparation consists of making lists, making arrangements, anticipating what needs to be done in our absence, it actually begins with our mindset. It begins with our approach to the world. “What to take with us…
setting a stage
We were assigned a reading by Susan Sontag on the proliferation of images and talked about how exactly we started out taking photos, and then through the societal phases of viewing them as they went from rare to ubiquitous. A photo can show a lot and say a lot, but ultimately it’s a flat image…
An Ode to Language
Language is a funny thing. Having taken four years of French in high school, I greatly struggled with utilizing my studies in the city. Greetings and one worded responses I can understand, and signs are easy to read (some even have English translations), but I have not been the best at keeping up a French…
The Art of Liquid Nitrogen
As I look back at my time in Lyon I think about the vast array of experiences that we have had. One however, stood out; our visit to INSA to meet Guido Pintacuda, an analytical chemist and specialist in NMR spectroscopy . I knew that this visit would be particularly interesting for me because of…
Straw to Gold
I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with art. On one hand, I’ve always been an “artsy kid,” experimenting with drawing, music, and many other mediums. They are forms of expression that often surpass words. But I’ve never been a huge fan of museums. Sure, I’ll walk around, quickly taking in exhibits that looks interesting, occasionally…
Contemporary Art
In the last few days in Lyon there have been some things that have come into focus for me. I am mourning the end of my time here in Lyon by trying to reflect on what I have seen and absorb more of the city. Lyon is a city that clearly values art of all…
The researcher
When you think of a research, probably the first images that show up to your mind are of a lab coat, huge eye goggles, and explosions in a scientific laboratory. And you were probably confused why this abstract art piece was the cover photo for an article called “The researcher.” Let me explain Three years…
Can You Take My Word For It?
“It is often said that “seeing is believing” but in many cases the reverse is also true… believing results in seeing”, or is it? These are the words of Donald L. Hicks in Look Into the Stillness. This is a book that takes one on a spiritual journey through inspirational quotes. Though I have not…
Sens Dessus Dessous
With one week left, I am starting to reflect on everything I’ve seen. We began this trip by watching the Social Life of Small Urban Spaces, showing us how humans respond to built environments, and preparing us with a sense of our human nature as we go explore the city of Lyon. Following this lesson, we…
39 Things On Avenue Berthelot
I’ve spent hours being a flaneuse long before I had ever heard the word. I thought of the practice in much less graceful terminology, though; I simply called it aimless wandering. In the spirit of Baudelaire, and inspired by Peter Arkle’s “39 Things on Broadway,” allow me to present 39 things that I observed while…
Tony Garnier and the visionaries that push towards an ideal world
Tony Garnier’s visions for Lyon and his paper architecture are displayed for the world to see! They are shown on the very buildings that he conceptualized and created to foster community, health and increase quality of life among impoverished and low income people! His forward thinking is described for the world to see in murals…
CHID Lyon: Art and innovation 2019 