Moving works in sand by the artist Théo Mercier under the vaults of the Conciergerie, a sound immersion by the New York director Robert Wilson between the walls of the Sainte-Chapelle: here are 2 examples of artistic carte blanche recently given by the National Monuments Centre (CMN). An approach that aims to make contemporary art accessible while bringing to life, in an experimental way, some of the jewels of French heritage.
It will be like a living object that will come alive in the wind and reflect the light. People will want to touch the Arc de Triomphe.
36 years after the Pont-Neuf, it is the emblematic Arc de Triomphe that Christo has transformed into a spectacular work. This event made the French capital the only place in the world to have hosted two works by the artist known worldwide for his monumental packings. A final gesture of love for this city where, in 1958, he had found refuge and met his companion and collaborator Jeanne-Claude. For 3 weeks, the famous monument was covered with 25,000m² of silver-blue polypropylene fabric (which can be recycled), giving, depending on the light of the day, a changing rendering that is always very aesthetic. At the same time, the Arc de Triomphe was (re)revealed with 3,000 meters of red rope, whether you were looking at it from close up (the Place de l'Etoile was pedestrianized for the occasion) or from one of the 12 avenues converging on it. Entirely self-financed by the sale of original works by Christo, this beautiful testamentary gift from the artist attracted 6 million curious people in admiration of this icon of Parisian heritage.
This was the objective of the CMN during the closure for renovation of the Parisian monument that embodies universal humanism. For this purpose, what better than to call upon JR, a French artist famous for his work on the values of freedom and tolerance? Known worldwide for his photographic events featuring anonymous men and women, the animation proposed by the photographer was also part of a mission that has been close to his heart since the beginning: to attract to museums or monuments those who do not usually visit them.
In total, 4,160 portraits were displayed on more than 3,000 square meters of the Pantheon, the black and white photos being visible inside, under the dome and on the floor, but also outside, on the dome of the building covered with tarpaulins from the renovation site which, for the occasion, were thus transformed into a contemporary artistic creation. Another beautiful operation realized by one of the biggest stars of urban art.
English photographer internationally recognized for his black and white photos (he was made Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French Ministry of Culture in 2022), Michael Kenna has chosen, among the nearly 100 monuments managed by the CMN, the Rambouillet Castle for a retrospective of his work highlighting the richness of France's heritage, a country he is particularly fond of and has been immortalizing for nearly 50 years. As we stroll through the former royal, imperial and presidential residence, we discover his work, which was notably inspired in his early years by Eugène Atget, Brassaï and Cartier Bresson.
Three French photographers who share his taste for black and white, to which he gives a dimension that is both realistic and dreamlike. Michael Kenna manages these photos from A to Z, the artist himself making each print, always in square format, of these favorites for the historical, natural or industrial heritage of France.
Valerie from Comme des Français
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Crédit photo Panthéon et Arc de Triomphe : ©Didier Plowy – CMN