Richard Serra’s Promenade for Monumenta 2008 at the Grand Palais

Spellbinding.

That’s the best word I can use to describe the Mounmenta 2008 Richard Serra Promenade exhibit at the Grand Palais.

Monumenta is a three-year series of art exhibitions where the Grand Palais invites a major international artist to display his work. The organizers promote it as a challenge, since the artist has to fill the largest existing ironwork and glass structure in the world, a Belle Epoque style palace built in 1900, measuring a whopping 162,000 square feet. Last year it was the incredible Anselm Kiefer Falling Stars and in 20010 it will be Christian Boltanski.

My friend Diane Pernet went to the opening on Monday, where Richard Serra spoke about the installation. He said his favorite time to see it was at night, as it takes on a much different feel to it then the daytime.

I went last Friday night at about 10PM with Diane and some friends. It was a beautiful clear, balmy spring night. Once I walked into the exhibit, I was awestruck. It was almost devoid of people and the silence of the vast space struck me. Five tall metal, slightly curved, walls towered over me and I was filled with peace and solitude, much like the experience of being in a sacred religious temple. I walked around for about an hour, viewing from it from every angle I could, and each place I stood was a unique opportunity to marvel this masterpiece.


Looking above at the complex, spiraling skylight, outside the French flag was waving. It took my breath away. It reminded me again how lucky I am to be living in this amazing city, a place that symbolizes art and beauty more then any other place I’ve ever been.

There’s not much else to say than this is a must if you are in Paris in the next month.

Monumenta 2008:Richard Serra Promenade
May 7 till June 15
Grand Palais
Ave Winston Churchill, 8th arr.
Metro: Champs-Elysees-Clemenceau
Monday & Wednesday 10AM-7PM
Thursday to Sunday 10AM-11PM
Tickets http://www.fnacspectacles.com/recherche/rechercheRapide.do?search=monumentaa>

I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour
includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.

I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.

Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com

Comments

[La Belette Rouge]

I am sick that this show is ending in June. I am not getting to France until some time in July. Not fair. I love Richard Serra's work. To see a Richard Serra in Paris would be amazing. Le sigh!
p.s. congrats on your new walking tours. That sounds like fun!