Today’s motto is “Rise and shine and be whatever you want to be!”
Contemporary art tour in the Marais district
Welcome back to the Marais district! After filling up our stomachs, it is time to enjoy some great contemporary art. In fact, we resume our walking tour in Paris at the Musée Picasso. The museum presents a complete overview of the master’s various periods, and after that let’s go to the Centre Pompidou. On display are iconic works of some major artists. Duchamp, Matisse, Kandinsky, Kahlo and, of course, Picasso are just a few of them.
A whimsical fountain for an unconventional composer!
But art cannot be confined to a museum. Then, our contemporary art tour in the Marais district continues in the Stravinsky square. Next to the Centre Pompidou is a fountain made of moving sculptures, representing the works of the composer. A whimsical fountain for an unconventional artist seems spot-on! Those bright colours and characteristic rounded forms might remind you of the Tarot Garden in southern Tuscany. One of the artists who created this fountain is the French-American sculptor Niki de Saint Phalle, together with Jean Tinguely.
The future is unwritten: let’s shape a better tomorrow
Over the years other remarkable works have been added to this one. In 2011, Jef Aérosol created an enigmatic stencil graffiti portrait named ‘Chut’, where a man makes the ‘shh’ gesture. Then, it was the turn, in 2019, of a large mural entitled ‘The Knowledge + Action’ by Shepard Fairey (aka Obey). As the title reveals, the artist (known worldwide for the Obama HOPE poster) emphasises the role of education and the will to take action to shape a better tomorrow. For this reason, ‘the future is unwritten‘ as we can read on the book open on the ground, between two Art Nouveau style female figures. It means that you can be whatever you want to be.
Temptation is around the corner: do not resist!
Although the list of museums and art venues is far from being complete, my last tip is all about shopping. Le Marais has recently blossomed into one of the trendiest districts in Paris, home to artisan ateliers, vintage clothing stores and fashion houses, such as Chanel, Dior and Louis Vuitton. So, keep your eyes on shop windows and be prepared to be tempted. At any corner, you can stumble upon an original handcrafted piece of furniture, a retro rockabilly skirt, or a delicious handmade treat. Do not try to resist and see you next time!
You may be also interested in Marais district in Paris: trendy, cultural and multi-ethnic
Watch our recommended video on the Picasso Museum
(Source: France 24 English)
