Thursday, November 17, 2011

70e Anniversaire de l'appel du Général de Gaulle

This enormous banner was hung on the facade of the Hôtel de Ville in June, 2010.  From a distance it is obviously a portrait of Gen. de Gaulle.  Take a closer look, it's fascinating. The banner says:


Ce portrait a été réalisé à partir de l'affiche diffusée à Londres en 1940 et des photographies de 1016 femmes et hommes Compagnons de la Libération

* "70th anniversary of General de Gaulle’s call. 
This portrait is based on the poster which was published in London in 1940 and on photos of 1016 women and men, Companions of the Liberation."

*Merci Peter for the translation and for this link.
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21 comments:

  1. French Girl in SeattleNovember 17, 2011 at 12:10:00 AM CST

    Awesome. Wish I had seen this in person. Ah, le grand Charles. Half my family loves him; half my family hates him. Long story. I recently saw an excellent documentary about his career on TV5. Love him or hate him, "c'était quelqu'un!" --- Veronique

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  2. JamesNovember 17, 2011 at 12:18:00 AM CST

    What an amazing banner!

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  3. cocoa and coconut November 17, 2011 at 12:47:00 AM CST

    Wow that is so detailed!

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  4. Elizabeth at Eiffel TellsNovember 17, 2011 at 1:12:00 AM CST

    This banner is amazing. I too took photographs of it when I was in France last year!

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  5. AlainNovember 17, 2011 at 2:31:00 AM CST

    Culte de la personnalité ?

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  6. PeterParisNovember 17, 2011 at 2:50:00 AM CST

    I would be curious to know why half of French Girl's family hates him. Of course, few persons can be admired to 100%, but "half the family"? :-)

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  7. Castles Crowns and CottagesNovember 17, 2011 at 4:42:00 AM CST

    A wonderful piece of art...would anyone expect less from Paris? Non.

    Anita

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  8. UnknownNovember 17, 2011 at 5:24:00 AM CST

    That banner is a great piece of art Virginia.
    Showing Gen De Gaulle and the photographs of all those people of French Resistance.
    Costas

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  9. Leif HagenNovember 17, 2011 at 5:52:00 AM CST

    A marvelous photo capturing the Ch de Gaulle portrait!
    Bravo, V de B!

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  10. LouiseNovember 17, 2011 at 6:54:00 AM CST

    I was lucky and saw this in person last year too. It's so well done.

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  11. MNovember 17, 2011 at 7:02:00 AM CST

    Fascinating! The power of photography!

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  12. AnonymousNovember 17, 2011 at 8:07:00 AM CST

    i love the shots you got of this! Very well executed!

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  13. DarylNovember 17, 2011 at 9:38:00 AM CST

    tres cool!

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  14. CarlaNovember 17, 2011 at 10:08:00 AM CST

    HI Virginia, isn't this cool.. love all the portraits close up.. Fab photo. Carla

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  15. MalyssNovember 17, 2011 at 11:04:00 AM CST

    I like those pictures made of pictures!And about "le Grand Charles", I'm with Veronique: Wether you like him or not, he was a fabulous person!

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  16. StarmanNovember 17, 2011 at 12:42:00 PM CST

    I'm always fascinated when I see this type of art.

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  17. AlexaNovember 17, 2011 at 3:17:00 PM CST

    Thanks for sharing—this is so cool! When I was living there in the '60s, most of my French friends were not big fans of le général (but I was too young and stupid to understand why).

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  18. Julie@beingRUBYNovember 17, 2011 at 5:48:00 PM CST

    Fabulous.. I love this type of art.. so clever.. wish I'd seen that!!

    Have a great weekend.. ciao xxx Julie

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  19. 黄清华 Wong Ching WahNovember 17, 2011 at 9:33:00 PM CST

    Wonderful framing, good story !

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  20. Kirsten SteenNovember 17, 2011 at 10:40:00 PM CST

    For a long time, when I visited Paris, it was Ingrid Betancourt's banner hanging at the Hotel de Ville, until she was finally released. I need to research de Gaulle. Should know more. Thanks for reminding me!
    Bon weekend, Kirsten

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  21. Auberge chez RichardNovember 18, 2011 at 1:01:00 PM CST

    Oui mon General. Just outstanding!

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Merci pour votre comment!