The 1920’s had F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein, and Ernest Hemingway.
The 2020’s will have ... well, maybe all of us.
There is little that young
Americans love more than fleeing to Paris. In moments of
desperation, in moments of celebration, or in moments of not
knowing what else to do...
Paris is always there.
The term “lost generation” originally described the generation in
America that came to age during
the first World War. Confused,
hurt, and aimless, many of them
pursued Paris. And while much
has changed in the last 90 years
since the original lost generation,
the sentiment of today’s youth has
remained much the same. In our
coming of age, we just don’t know
what to do with our new-found
freedom in one of the freest societies in the world.
It was the year 1964 when Ernest
Hemingway published his memoirs from Paris in the 1920’s. He
boldly named Paris “a moveable
feast” - a resonating definition for
young Americans of all generations. The point that Hemingway
set out to make was that Paris,
although temporary for many,
is a permeating and transferable
mindset - an idulgent way to perceive, think, and feel.
In a land of abundance where
technology and progress is championed and never challenged, it is
easy to become exhausted. And
while technological innovation
and its resulting cultural changes
are sweeping the globe with few
exceptions, there is still solace to
be found in Paris.
Something about gargoyles and
baguettes lights a certain dimming passion within us.
Wandering aimlessly in the most romantic city in the world is an
unforgettable memory for many.
While the typical agenda for Paris
may include strolling l’avenue des
Champs-Élysées, climbing the
stairs of la Tour Eiffel, and viewing the Mona Lisa dans le Louvre,
those memories are trapped within the bubble of Paris. The best
moments in Paris are the ones that
you can take with you.
The most lasting impressions
from Paris are often discovered
in becoming lost. In wandering aimlessly around the 7th arrondissement along the Seine,
in stumbling into old bookshops
or family-ran boutiques, and by
biting into the crunchy shell of a
maccaroon from a corner pâtisserie. When lost in Paris, fully immersed in Paris with no thoughts
of anything else, you aquire a
frame of mind that remains with
you forever. One of peace, observance, and stimulation.
The first lost generation was onto
something when they temporarily left their American homes for
Paris. They returned not only
with tangible success, but with
perspective which allowed continuous joy in life. The original lost
generation set an example worth
following. Our generation should
strive to become lost, because in that,
we may just find ourselves.
**This story is from a magazine spread that I created for my Pub Design class.
