30.10.14

Art, art ... and art (?)...


The last couple of days in Paris have been full of events linked to art. Let’s talk about one event after the other.

I already talked about the opening of the” Fondation Louis Vuitton” (see here). It was inaugurated with some very official events last week, but opened to public Monday October 27 at 10 am… and I was there. I was among the 30 first visitors… To go there, you can use a small electric shuttle bus leaving from "l’Etoile”.


The top picture is from the roof with a view over the “Jardin d’Acclimatation” and “La Défense”.

Maybe just a reminder of what the new building looks like from the outside.


In one of the ground floor rooms you can study the conception and the construction details of the building and admire Frank Gehry’s (and a great number of other peoples’) job.


The interior offers a lot of spectacular views…


… not neglecting the views from the roof.


The basement level – the “sailing ship” is of course on water – is also fantastic…



… with a number of mirrors. (I couldn't help making some self-portraits.)


Having visited Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao (see previous post), I must say that both buildings are spectacular, but I believe that when it comes to the interior I have a preference for the “Fondation Louis Vuitton”.

When it comes to the exposed art, I guess I was a bit disappointed as well by “Guggenheim” as by “Louis Vuitton”. In my opinion (for what it’s worth), both museums are especially fascinating for their architecture.


Before leaving you can of course visit the shop. I found a twisted Gehry version of a Louis Vuitton bag, sold at 3.000 €. I resisted.  


During the weekend October 24-26 was held the annual “FIAC” (Foire Internationale d’Art Contemporain = Intenrational Fair of Contemporary Art). It takes place under the glass roof of the “Grand Palais” (see previous posts), but occupies also “tents” along the Champs Elysées. There are exposed (and for sale) works of the most distinguished artists of modern art. Some samples of modern art can also be found round the city, e.g. in the Tuileries Gardens and along the Seine, e.g. the Niki de Saint Phalle woman. (An exhibition of her works is at present ongoing at the Grand Palais.)



What (possibly) may be described as an art event is the Paul McCarthy exposition, which the same weekend opened at the partly newly renovated “Monnaie de Paris”, the 18th century building on the Seine banks, which is the site for the French Direction of Coins and Mints. The opening was preceded by the installation of an inflated “Tree”, which some people took for a “butt plug”, on Place de Vendome. It was rather soon vandalised by some protesters. I missed that part of the event, so I “stole” some photos from “before” and “after”.   The exposition at the “Monnaie de Paris” is basically a Chocolate Factory. Thousands of chocolate copies of the “Tree” and some kind of Father Christmas are manufactured. They are sold in the shop for 50 € a piece. I believe that I normally have a very positive attitude toward contemporary art, but…



.... I preferred to admire the ceiling.


The same weekend there was also a very extensive "Art Shopping Show" exhibiting some 450 artists at the “Carrousel du Louvre”. It included direct performances by street artists like Mosko, Gregos… 



Another very important event was of course the reopening of the Picasso Museum October 25. Well, I took the direction, but decided to go back another day. I could just observe a lady who obviously had managed to get in. 

13 comments:

French Girl in Seattle said...

Wonderful *art* coverage this week, Peter. I feel I have visited the new Louis Vuitton foundation thanks to you. Those shuttles will come in handy to reach the museum. Le Jardin d'Acclimation is not that easy to access as it is, from downtown Paris. As for Mr McCarthy, I reviewed his *tree* in a post a couple of weeks ago. Let's just say his creation won't be missed in the middle of the currently-challenged Place Vendôme. And that reminds me: Please make sure you are on the guest list to visit the Ritz Hotel when it finally re-opens. God knows when I will get to visit next. A bientôt, Peter. When you get a chance, swing by and check out the new French Girl in Seattle :-) Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)

martinealison said...

Bonjour cher Peter,

Un grand merci tout d'abord pour ce bel article et toujours comme tous, il est accompagné de magnifiques photos.

La visite et ton regard sur la fondation Vuitton m'a interpelée agréablement. Je ressens une belle impression au-delà de celle vue de l'extérieur.
Je crois que j'irai un jour la visiter, pas pour l'exposition qui me semble décevante.
J'aime beaucoup les photos de ton autoportrait !... C'est le meilleur de l'exposition !! sourire !...

Je ne ferai aucun commentaire en ce qui concerne la FIAC... ce pourrait être un thème de philosophie !!

J'aime beaucoup les oeuvres de Niki de Saint Phalle. J'ai toujours aimé ce qu'elle faisait... J'avais eu la chance, il y a quelques années de pouvoir pénétrer et visiter sa maison près du Plan de la Tour dans le Var. Elle était construite à l'image de son art. Deux maisons-sculptures différentes côte à côte... Il faudrait que je fasse des recherches dans mes photos pour t'en envoyer...

En revanche j'aimerais bien aller visiter le musée Picasso... Je possède de très nombreux ouvrages le concernant. Je n'apprécie pas toutes les périodes de ses oeuvres. En essayant de comprendre sa vie, ses ressentis et son extravagance je fais le lien avec certaines de ses oeuvres.

J'ai hâte de voir ton prochain article où tu nous montreras quelles sont les oeuvre de Picasso qui ne te laissent pas indifférent.
Dommage que je ne sois pas parisienne je t'aurais bien accompagné.


Gros bisous ☼

Studio at the Farm said...

You have really been around in the art world this week! I must agree - the Louis Vuitton museum is much more attractive than its exhibits. HOW could you resist the warped purse ... only 3000 euros??? :) And I like the ceiling best of the Paul McCartney exhibit, too.
Kathryn

Anne in Oxfordshire said...

Hi Peter. Thanks for sharing ..Louis Vuitton is on my list I think it is wonderful. The design is amazing ,I think inside and out.

Not sure what that American guy Paul McCarthy was thinking or the Chocolate theme(trees and coins) . Think he takes his art to the extreme and also ridiculous. That is only my opinion. ..take care and thanks for sharing.

Thérèse said...

Bel autoportrait Peter, la prochaine fois, rapproche-toi un peu :-)

Magnifiques lignes et courbes qui rappellent le Vitra Design Museum pres de Bales. Tu nous offres ici de belles vues interieures.

Cote art expose, je laisse le soin aux autres d'en parler,..

lyliane six said...

Enfin je suis à la maison en novembre, je vais prendre le temps de voyager grâce à tes photos,l'année prochaine je pourrai aller visiter ces nouveaux musés

Jeanie said...

I like the interior of the Gehry much more than the exterior -- and what a view! Now, the art of chocolate -- that really stirs my soul -- especially the day before Candy Day (Halloween) here in the States!

Unknown said...

So excited to see the Picasso Museum is open again. It's great to see the museums too, through your eyes. Thanks!

Anonymous said...


I'm so glad to see that green eyesore on the ground!
Enough is enough.......

And I like that little boxy shape of the Ghery bag...a much better shape than the shape of my Vuitton after I sat on it...I'm so absent minded......

And you can use a small electric shuttle bus to get there?
Paris, Paris, Paris je te reviens encor !

¡Mil gracias Peter por tan hermoso articulo!
Maria

Anonymous said...


Oops!
Misspelled that great architect's last name!
Pardon M. Gehry!

Anonymous said...


And talking about Paris...how about this genius singing such a song?
I don't know how he could do it. There's no room for breathing...even more difficult than La donna e mobile...
Kudos to him and that other genius: M. Offenbach!


http://youtu.be/OfNq3t5dCm0

Anonymous said...


We can see you ten times.......
How clever!

lajeunecaptive

kanal d yayın akışı said...

thanks for sharing :)