15.2.18

Ave César


Right now (until March 26) there is a César exhibition at Centre Pompidou. César Baldaccini (1921-98) was a French sculptor (Italian parents). His works include “compressions”, “expansions”, “human imprints”, “welded-metal sculptures”…  e.g. the top picture, a bat. 

Here are some samples of these various techniques and uses of different materials…We can for example see “The Thumb”, now exposed in- and outside the Centre Pompidou - a permanent large version is to be found at Paris La Défense (see previous post).





The exhibition also shows a model of the “Centaur” – the head of which is a César self-portrait. You can find the “real” version of the "Centaur" at Place Michel Debré in Paris (see previous post) and in a smaller version on his own grave at the Montparnasse Cemetery (see previous post).

The French “Oscars” are called “Césars”. The winners get a trophy created by César.



When visiting the Centre Pompidou (see some of my previous posts here and here), designed by the Italian architect Renzo Piano, I took a photo of another of Piano’s achievements, the new Paris Palace of Justice (see one of my previous posts here), soon to open.  

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

To Peter Olson

The quality of mercy is not strained.
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blessed:
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.
William Shakespeare

I think this little quote totally defines your persona.
Happy Valentines Day!
Maria

P.S. Love this post!!

Rakesh Vanamali said...

Very interesting. The exhibits are very unique and striking

sillygirl said...

The Thumb reminds me that last September we were at La Defense where one is standing and there was a man near it busy with an electronic device in each hand and both thumbs working away! We didn't find out if he was American or not.

MadAboutParis said...

Salut Peter...once again your post has sent me on a treasure hunt.
After seeing the diversity of César's work I was reminded of a shot from "Herb & Dorothy" in which Herb is examining one of his purchases. The couple had donated a huge portion of their collection to the National Gallery in Washington DC. During one of their visits, Herb became fixated on a small piece that could have been created by César. Thanks to Google image search I found a photo of that scene and sadly discovered that it was created by John Chamberlin who is perhaps a devotee of César. Regardless I was pleased to find this amazing blog and hope that the "artsy" subscribers of your blog will enjoy.

http://www.slowmuse.com/2009/12/27/the-lazer-gaze/

AND the clickbait from that post...led me to this exhibit which I would have adored...tant pis:

http://www.slowmuse.com/2017/11/26/intuition-the-photo-version/

Merci mille fois Peter!

MG