I was at first not quite sure, but it was confirmed...
This is not a pile of trash but "art" seen at Palais de Tokyo a few years ago. What do you think?
In all fairness there are impressive displays of modern and contemporary art at Palais de Tokyo but not all appeal to me. Although I have moved beyond thinking that art must be "pretty," some installations leave me to wonder the artist's intent or message.
The East wing houses Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris which belongs to the City of Paris. The Palais de Tokyo is in the West wing and belongs to the French state. It is the only museum in Paris open every day from noon until midnight (except Mondays). Oh, and it is a great place to see La Tour Eiffel at night.
Palais de Tokyo
13, ave du Président Wilson
29 comments:
Well Genie ~ I've got a few art pieces like that in my back yard ~ oops!! I nearly had the hard refuse guy collect it! but as you say every one to there own. Good on you for thinking outside the square.
~Dianne~
Sorry....not at all my style. I think the creator of this is having the last laugh.
At first I thought this type of art was rubbish (pardon the Pun) but art is meant to be thought provoking inspire discussion and form opinions. I guess this image is doing just that, as we are discussing it on your post. It's not really my cup of tea but if I were to see this in the street in what I considered a good photographic setting then I too might consider it's artistic value.
I saw one there that was even better. It was a huge pile of trash. And then there is the thought-provoking tiny square, white cube in the middle of a room painted white. Or how about at the Pompidou, where the 'artist' had nailed some boards to a piece of plywood?
... in the eye of the beholder. I'll leave it at that.
Sometimes I think some artists were snake oil salesmen in another life and museum directors that pay for such this must have way too much money to spend!
The museum d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris is one I"ve visited several times and I believe it's free.
V
At least you did not pay for it !
Dianne -- I took a photo of this because it was not part of the museum trash. Interesting.
Bibi -- Not my style either
Picturit -- You raise some interesting points. I think that at the very least it caused my daughter and I to pause, to examine, to photograph, and to wonder. Perhaps that thought-provoking message is what the artist was striving for. Hummm?
Starman -- Tell us what museums you are seeing this week since you are there. I have "green eyes" over your long stay in Paris!
Birdman -- Indeed
I agree with Virginia!
I can see beauty in many ordinary things, but not this. But then this artist might say that art doesn't have to be beautiful....
BTW: I've been meaning to comment on your header. It is always a joy to click onto your sight knowing that I'll see that wonderful view!
Virginia -- Glad to know about the museum in the other wing. Each museum has a café or restaurant although I have eaten at neither.
Laurent -- And I would have hated to have paid for this sight unseen!
Harriet -- I would have to know more about the "artist" in this case to make a judgment. No, I do not like this, but there may have been an intent that I just didn't get. When we saw this I wondered how the night cleaning crew would decide where the dirt ended and the art began. Wouldn't you be tempted to heap on an extra gum wrapper?
Thanks for the comment about the header. I had two favorites for the banner and this one won out -- looks like a good choice. Merci!
Sometimes I think art installations like these might be more "performance art," with the beholder as the performer. A video camera nearby, perhaps, to capture the expressions and comments of the onlookers? Either way, anything I could easily do myself I don't consider art!
Provocative post on art and what defines art. The artist is a child of his era/age and that is reflected in the artworks of the times. The piece above is a reflection of modern life installations.
Hi Genie,
I saw a similar work of "art" on the side of the road. To each their own-hehe.
I am loving your photo's. They are spectacular. I am ready to pack up and leave (well, hubby would need to come also}.
Thank you for the Anniversary wishes. Those 7 years have flown by. I am looking forward to many more.
Big hugs,
Barb
Ha ha and a cut up cow is art according to Damian Hirst, lol! XX!
Bonjour Genie,
Love that post ! et oui, this is art today... I can be a great fan of installations but hum...this doesn't speak to me.
(i was wondering if you saw Christian Boltanski's installation at Grand Palais for Monumenta 2010 ?)
Bon lundi !
xoxo
Lala
If this is art, I'm going to charge people to come and look at the dust bunnies under my bed! There was a story on NPR once about a custodian who came in at night and cleaned up a similar "exhibit."
Thanks for all the good info, Genie! Always good to know of a place that's open late and has a great view of the ET.
lizzi -- I don't know about this particular one, but I have seen the "participant art" at Centre Pompidou -- It was interractive but not a recent installation. I agree with the "if I can do it myself" comment, too. merci!
Ms Fashion -- The word "provocative" certainly applies with this art. One question that I have thought over is at what point does a person declare a thing "not art"? Does that one person have the ability to make the determination for everyone else? I don't think so. This photographed "art" does not appeal to me in the least but it is not up to me to deny another person the right to see it in another light, perhaps as an object d'art. Thanks for your comments.
Barb -- I hope that you and your hubby have another happy 7 years! Pack up and take him with you!
Shari -- This got to be a heavy subject for a Monday, but by the end of a week I am too pooped to have an existential discussion - hah!
Lala -- There were some other, more mainstream art pieces but this one obviously "got me" -- I have some other photos that are not as outrageous and will post (much, much) later. I did not see that exhibit at Grand Palais but will see Monet there in December and will also check out Petit Palais which I love also. Hey, let me know when you get that "olive factory make-over" building!
Alexa -- Yes, that is one of the things we wondered about this one. My guess is that they put up a little fence around it at night. They have a café with an outside terrace here plus you can see the twinkling of ET. I balanced my camera (no tripod with me) on a ledge and took many ET shots!
I'm trying to find the eye that would behold this and see beauty ... definitely NOT my cup of tea! But, a very thought and comment provoking photo.
I'm with Alexa and the Dust Bunny idea. I will put a southwest twist to it and call it Cowboy Dust Bunny!
Art? Reminds me of the time The Hub cleaned out the garage. Darn! We should have sold his pile instead of thrown it in the garbage dumpster! Ha!
Liz
You don't say what the theme of the exhibition was - perhaps it is simply a statement suggesting how one might arrange one's trash at the curbside! I am surprised that 'art' installations of this sort are still seen as 'contemporary' - (in Paris?) - that/that sort of 'contemporary' was surely past by the 70s!
If this is art Genie, then I have discovered a fortune in my backyard!
A few years ago the Toronto Zoo had gorillas painting on canvas. The zoo then sold the completed work in local art stores. People with excess money like to by stuff lake that. Go figure!
This kind of stuff cracks me up.
I need to get into this racket. I'll clean out the garage mix in a few raked leaves and maybe add a dead fish. Viola modern art! Who knows maybe I can trade my works for travel to Paris. :)
M -- I don't think that "beauty" is what the artist was going for but probably "thought provoking"
Randy -- Now that's a funny dust bunny!
Liz -- Well, if someone wants to start paying for this genre, there will be many of us standing in line to get a check!
Margaret -- This was probably the only "trash pile" type of art but I do not think that I have the program (going to look though)
Gringo -- We may have to stand in line to cash in!
Andy -- Now gorilla-art is something I might really like.
James -- You get in line behind Gringo and me.
Great discussions, all!
This kind of piece is exactly why I'm not so big on modern art. I'm not equiped to get it, that's all.
Tsuki -- I think that the consensus of the comments are right in line with yours. It has been a thought-provoking subject this week.
Well, it does make a statement... but I wont analyse it or my brain will hurt.
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