D.B. Kim

The Perfect Trocadero

“I like nonsense; it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living; it's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, and that enables you to laugh at life's realities.” -Dr. Seuss

Warm and lazy perfect summer days are gone now, leaving us with uneasy brisk rains and falling leaves. I step away for a moment to romanticize of an early September day strolling around one of the prettiest neighborhoods in posh Paris, near Trocadero. You’re probably guessing my path right: I started from the top of the hill to look down at the Eiffel Tower with the embracing water garden and beautifully aligned fountains, then met the base of the tower, and proceeded through the gardens.

History and its designs can be self studied, but one has to be reminded that this area has been around since the 1878 World’s Fair. When did we stop cherishing contemporary World’s Fairs? Can anyone tell me any recent significant World’s Fairs that modeled brilliant design movements?

Exactly, I can hardly hear any great examples.

We appreciate the Palais du Trocadero, the garden, the fountains, and the Eiffel Tower for their endurance and beautiful framework—the framework we all love for snapshots. One can hardly have bad shots here at the Trocadero. Just watch “Funny Face,” you’d know what I mean by good snapshots from watching Audrey Hepburn jumping. A good framework takes a vision, more than a simple styling. It takes a World’s Fair; it takes multiple great architects and designers to be innovative. What a grand effort!

Today I remember this pleasant stroll through the grand architecture on that sunny September day in Paris. It is a hard thing to beat, especially on a chilly, gloomy day in New York.

Of course, I enjoyed my stroll as a tourist and giggled delightfully. At times we forget to be silly. It’s an emotional state that can help us through the darkest of times, and lengthen the good ones.

Posted by D.B. Kim on October 23, 2009 | Comments (2)