Le Carnaval des Spectres

Behind the Scenes of Le Carnaval: Circus to Sunset

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By sethsabbat

Sunday morning we started out at the Musée des Arts Forains: a private collection of ancient carnival memorabilia, including working rides and games.  We then headed into the center of town with a walk around Les Halles and the Centre Pompidou.  Later we checked out the Musée de la Magie and Automates (sorry no photographs allowed here). Then a relaxing boat trip along the river Seine to see some of the highlights of Paris by boat. The day ended with a spectacular sunset. It was then time to say my farewells to the CP artists until the next time Le Carnaval des Spectres returns to town.

Click through for more sights from the City of Love!

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Behind the Scenes of Le Carnaval: The Flea Market & Catacombs

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By sethsabbat

Saturday morning was an early start to Le marché aux puces de la Porte de Vanves. This french flea market is a great place to find things, and Teodoru was a true expert in haggling down prices. Everyone seemed to find something from old comics, to vintage toys, to turn-of-the-century photographs. I found an antique crocodile head to add to my collection of nature morte. With bags filled, we were off to the catacombs.

In the late 1700s, the city of Paris started transferring the bones from its cemeteries here. The visit was slightly disappointing as a good part of the underground route was closed off to the public. I had thought this was due to an earlier act of vandalism I had heard about, but not the case. The night before our visit,  several walls of bones had collapsed. This could very well explain my strange dreams of mudslides the day before! After what seemed like a never-ending flight of stairs, we were back to the service and off to the Latin quarter for lunch with a group of french CP fans, and a visit to a BD gallery. BD’s are the french version of comics.

See more behind the scenes from Paris: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Behind the Scenes of Le Carnaval: From Amsterdam to Paris

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By LadyMadeline

When I heard the CP crew was visiting Europe, I knew I had to visit their show. Paris isn’t too far away from Amsterdam compared to the US, so there I was, standing on Gare du Nord. The first thing I did was buy a Paris Visite card which enabled me to use the metro, RER and bus as many times as I wanted to. There are a lot of metrolines in Paris, but with a route map, it’s quite easy to get around town.

On my first day I visited the Sacré-Cœur, a church located in the neighborhood Montmartre. There were a lot of nice stores in the streets surrounding the church, so I spent my time wandering around. Afterwards, I took the metro to Louvre-Rivoli. It took me a little while to find it, but eventually I saw the Artoyz logo pop up. I spent some time checking out the store and started to chat with one of the Artoyz owners. He told me the CP crew had headed out for a lunch, but they could return any time. I only had to wait for a little while when I saw a group of people entering the store. I recognized the artists as they went downstairs to the exhibition room and then Daniel (sethsabbat) noticed me. After a brief gab, I waited in the store, but was then invited to come downstairs (which was awesome!). I met all the artists who were busy unpacking and installing all the pieces. The art looked beautiful and fortunately, everything made it in one piece. When it was all unpacked and put in place, we went to Daniel’s house; he collected some amazing old books and other wonderful items that could be used as risers at the show. We spent Wednesday night talking and we went to a nice restaurant nearby where we ate pizza with the whole group. I really enjoyed listening to what everyone had to say. Very interesting and kind people.

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Behind the Scenes of Le Carnaval: Museum Day

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By Sethsabbat

A good part of the day was spent around the Le Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle and Le Jardin des Plantes, with the impressive Galéries de Paleontologie, built in 1897.  If you like bones, this is the place to be.

A stroll through the gardens to get to the Grand Galerie de l’Evolution, where a strange worm like creature made an appearance.

Then off to another building to see the famous Cabinet de Curiosités de Bonnier de La Mosson.  Stayed on the left bank, a walk around the Latin quarter and a stop at Notre Dame.

Behind the Scenes of Le Carnaval: The Opening

By sethsabbat

After a busy first day setting up, Madelon and I met the CP team at Artoyz around noon on Thursday, where props were put in place, and final touches made in the set up of the show. With a few hours to spare before the show started, we headed over to the Louvre. Travis was on a mission to see a painting he missed on his last trip to Paris, so we roamed the halls in search of it.  Thankfully, Teodoru’s map reading skills were better than mine, and after passing the likes of the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo, we soon found it:

Afterwards, we strolled through the Tuileries gardens and stopped for lunch before heading back to Artoyz. With less than an hour before opening, a final check was made. Then bam, the doors opened and that place filled up quick. The Artoyz staff were surprised at how quickly the pieces sold; it was a full house and great success. Madelon and I then left the CP crew to have some late-night dining with Artoyz. We had to be be up early as her train was leaving Paris at 6:25am.

Behind the Scenes of Le Carnaval: Set-Up Day

By sethsabbat

Following a week of set-up and sight-seeing, of wining and dining, the Circus has packed up and returned back to their respective homes in the US. Fortunately for us, the memories are just beginning as the pictures and stories start to unfold. Since so many of us experienced this exhibition in spirit, fellow CP boadies Daniel (sethsabbat) and Madelon (LadyMadeline) were gracious enough to document the event, from rehearsal to curtain. To kick things off, Daniel gives us a quick recount of set up day, complete with photos of the packing peanut party. Enjoy!

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I met Brandt, Kathie, Travis and Teodoru outside Artoyz Wednesday afternoon after work. I’ll be honest, I felt a bit like a stalker going up to them and saying hello; we hadn’t really set a rendezvous and I wanted to drop some maps off for them. They were killing some time, waiting for some paint to dry in the gallery, so I took them down the rue Saint Honore to check out Colette (a concept store; the dunny series was based on this place), and we then headed back to Artoyz where we found Madelon.

Brandt invited us to hang out as they opened up boxes to inspect the art. Happily, there were no drastic accidents in shipping.  After unpacking, the CP team then began placing the pieces and wiring the wall hangings. I was so amazed to see all the work they did for this show. Kathie and Brandt were looking for some risers, so I suggested they stop by my house to see if there was anything they could use.

Having done all that they could for the day, we headed out, down the rue de Rivoli, with a quick stop at BHV to pick up some epoxy and have a look at the Hotel de Ville. From there, we headed back to my place to pick out props and sample some wine and cheese. Marc had them laughing: he’s a true minimalist (before I moved in), and pretty much begged them to stop producing so much stuff. As we were heading out to eat and decided to bring some of the props, Marc was like, “Please, take more!”

Hit the jump for more photos from Day 1!

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Kathie’s Travelling Calliope: A Quick Jaunt in the City of Love

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Hanging with her pal Mr. Tentaclees at CP HQ in Albuquerque, NM.

When KO first posted this a few weeks ago on Instagram (@circusposterus), citing the Calliope handpaint was “just for fun”, I wondered if we’d ever see the little lady again. Well, it appears Kathie has found herself a new travel buddy: similar to the travelling toy photos so many of us have seen (Podgypanda’s Baman and S Fisher Williams’ Milque Toast are personal faves), Calliope’s passport is already impressive with CP’s recent tour in Paris as part of Le Carnaval des Spectres.

Shaking off the jet lag with Ms. Elemental at their villa in Paris.

With Baby Tattooville, Haunted and DesignerCon just around the corner, the rest of 2012 will be hoppin’ for the Circus. Let’s see if our little pink jet-setter makes any cameos!

Taking in the sights at the Musée des Arts Forains (Museum of Fairground Art).

The Circus Prepares for Le Carnaval + Purchase Info!

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The Circus has landed in Paris and set up’s in full swing in preparation for the opening of Le Carnaval des Spectres this evening at Artoyz Shop + Galerie. My friends, it’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for!

Many of you are probably wondering how the preview will work and the short answer is “just like Monsters & Misfits”. Those who attend the opening will get first dibs and then all remaining pieces will be available for purchase online HERE around 10-11pm Paris time TONIGHT (4-5pm Eastern, 1-2pm Pacific, today) .

Some advice from Yann-Claude at Artoyz:

“Please note that all orders from non-EU countries won’t pay the French VAT (19,6%).
The final price will be adjusted (as well as the shipping costs) once you mentioned your Delivery Address during your order. That’s why we suggest to create an account and log-in before you shop.”

Good luck, gang!

 

Countdown to the Carnival – Finale: Kathie & Brandt’s Batboy & Mortimer

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Debuting tomorrow evening as part of Le Carnaval des Spectres are two exciting new vinyl figures from Kathie Olivas and Brandt Peters in partnership with Artoyz Paris! For the first time ever, Kathie’s Batboy makes his debut in 3D form following years of collector demand. Measuring roughly 6 inches and flanked by two bird companions, this masked mischief maker is finally ready for his grand entrance.

Following closely behind is familiar face Mortimer, from Brandt Peters. Popularized by his Carnies blind box series two years ago, Mortimer the Mortician returns at twice the size, wielding an unforgiving straight razor and potent bottle o’ Toxico. Watch your back…

Le Carnaval des Spectres opens tomorrow through Oct. 20th at Artoyz Shop + Galerie in Paris, France. The exhibition marks CP’s first group exhibition on European soil and features a collection of new two- and three-dimensional works from Kathie OlivasBrandt PetersTravis LouieChris RyniakAmanda Louise Spayd and Teodoru Badiu.

Countdown to the Carnival: A Sneak Peek at the Killer Customs

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BP –  “Madcap Stingy Jack”,  “Baxter” & “Slimon”

Le Carnaval des Spectres opens in just two days and what better way for us spirit-attenders to celebrate than by gawking at some of the glorious eye candy for tomorrow’s opening?

All of what you see here are originals, but fret not as there will be future incarnations of Brandt’s Black Cat (above center), Ooze Skull (above right), and the new Skelve busts. There’s also a whole whack of 2D art, some of which is sampled here.

Hit the jump and enjoy!

Read More »Countdown to the Carnival: A Sneak Peek at the Killer Customs