Champs-Elysées Impression (1973)

Champs-Elysées means “Elysian Fields.” In Greek and Roman mythology that was a paradise where the elite enjoyed perfect happiness. While I can’t claim the inhabitants of Avenue des Champs-Elysées in Paris enjoy happiness, they are a rather elite lot that includes le président.

At night the Champs-Elysées is a place for walking and expensive shopping. This picture is, of course, blurred from hand-holding the camera during a long exposure. Normally such a picture would be destined for the dustbin. But the particular way this one is blurred seems to suggest Impressionist art, or at least the frenzied activity of a city renowned for its nightlife.

© 2004 by Ted R. Marcus
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