April 06, 2013

Patrick Gerola


I have no idea whether you, readers, are familiar with the most known of all Brussels' symbols? Manneken Pis is a famous landmark, a rather small fountain sculpture representing a naked boy urinating. It was designed by Hiëronymus Duquesnoy the Elder and put in place in  the earlie 1600's. There are as many stories and legends about the little guy as you can imagine and if interested, you can have fun with them here:
A few months ago I met, in an art gallery at the Belgian coast, Patrick Gérola and his Japanese wife and singer Tomomi Hida. Patrick has made Manneken Pis his specialty. Patrick was born in Brussels in 1959, where he studied and graduated from the Academy of fine Arts.  He left Brussels to go live and work in Japan in 1983 but returned - temporarily, he told me- after what happened in Fukushima. 
http://gerola.org/profile
http://www.yesicannes.com/yesicannes/japan_exhibition_at_carlton_gallery.html

21 comments:

  1. Filip and KristelApril 6, 2013 at 3:25 PM

    De beeldjes van Manneke Pis zijn wel heel gaaf.

    Groetjes,
    Filip

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  2. MarleenApril 6, 2013 at 4:50 PM

    I know the landmark but I didn't know the history, interesting!

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  3. JudyApril 6, 2013 at 6:23 PM

    Interesting as always Annie!

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  4. Sylvia KApril 6, 2013 at 6:44 PM

    An interesting post indeed, Anni! What a fun statue and a handsome couple as well! Hope you have a lovely weekend! Enjoy!

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  5. willyApril 6, 2013 at 7:14 PM

    de grootste ontgoocheling van de toeristen in Brussel , zou "Manneken Pis "zijn...

    wellicht hadden ze iets meer indrukwekkends verwacht...

    prettig weekend

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  6. AnonymousApril 6, 2013 at 7:41 PM

    haha, onze grote trots blijkt maar een super klein manneke te zijn. kan het me voorstellen dat het oor de toeristen een beetje ontgoochelend is!
    groetjs, Hilde

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  7. Pierre BOYERApril 6, 2013 at 11:44 PM

    Une belle série d’œuvres autour de ce symbole bruxellois....

    Pierre

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  8. FransApril 7, 2013 at 7:43 AM

    Hallo Anni,
    Ik zie hem toch nog liever in een van zijn vele folkloristische pakjes :-)
    Groetjes, Frans

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  9. LiesApril 7, 2013 at 9:45 AM

    Tof hé, Anni, 'k bogde ze ook, lang geleden...
    http://liesonderweg.skynetblogs.be/archive/2012/09/06/patrick-gerola-vindt-mannekenpis-is-een-levendig-sympathiek.html
    Lie(f)s.

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    Replies
    1. This is BelgiumApril 7, 2013 at 6:12 PM

      oh wow, ik het intussen gezien dat hij in Damme woont en mannekens voor zijn vensters heeft tentoongesteld

      Delete
  10. Valladolid Daily PhotoApril 7, 2013 at 10:40 AM

    Great interpretations of Manneken Pis.

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  11. Janey and Co.April 7, 2013 at 1:32 PM

    I have seen to popular little statue...had no idea there were so many different legends surrounding it!

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    Replies
    1. This is BelgiumApril 7, 2013 at 6:12 PM

      it is amazing that you know the little guy, Janey!

      Delete
  12. Pierre BOYERApril 7, 2013 at 6:45 PM

    Merci pour la visite et avec plaisir pour le repostage de mon message....

    Pierre

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    Replies
    1. This is BelgiumApril 7, 2013 at 9:44 PM

      super ! merci.
      je ferai signe dès que c'est fait

      Delete
  13. AnonymousApril 7, 2013 at 8:55 PM

    oh, these are great :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. DietmutApril 7, 2013 at 9:29 PM

    leuk verhaaltje en zeker oor jou een interessant bejegening. Dank je dat wij mee mogen genieten.
    Fijne avond, Dietmut

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  15. AlainApril 8, 2013 at 8:19 AM

    Bof...

    ReplyDelete
  16. biebkriebelsApril 9, 2013 at 2:42 PM

    Dat Manneke Pis blijft toch een inspiratie voor veel kunstenaars. Mooie variaties.

    ReplyDelete

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