FIAC Hors les Murs (Part 1 of 5)

In an earlier post about FIAC, the Foire internationale d’art contemporain (International fair of contemporary art), we promised there was more to come.  Here it is.  

In addition to the indoor expositions at the Grand Palais and Petit Palais, FIAC hosts outdoor art displays around the center of Paris, including in the nearby Tuileries garden and the Place de la Concorde.  The exposition is named FIAC Hors Les Murs, or FIAC Outside the Walls.

The exposition was installed over a period of two weeks.  So, we watched it grow from a few works of art to more than 20.  

Each day that we strolled in the garden brought a new discovery--a newly installed work of art.  In some cases, we watched with interest as the artist and assistants assembled the works in place.  

We even enjoyed seeing the exposition featured on a French international news station.  FIAC is a big deal here.  

We enjoyed viewing many of the works of art and took many photos.  Without further ado, here is FIAC Hors Les Murs.    

One of our favorite works of art is pictured below.

The phrase is based on the Bible:  One who sows the wind ("Qui sème leme vent"), reaps the whirlwind.  (Hosea 8:7).  In other words, we reap what we sow.

Marie-Chantal is  hoping for a sunny day with some wind.  

We liked the work in part because of its whimsical use of pinwheels that spun in the wind.  Click on the video to see the pinwheels in action.  

On a rainy day, mushrooms sometimes appear.  The gigantic mushroom pictured below appeared after one recent rainy day.  

 

Another work included in FIAC Hors les Murs is the Alexander Calder mobile/stabile pictured below.  It was already on display in the garden when we arrived to begin Year 4.  So, we were already familiar with it.  We like it because it is colorful and and abstract and it moves in strong wind.  

[Immediately after FIAC ended, Janey Waney was removed.  We mistakenly assumed it was a permanent installation.  Perhaps it was sold during FIAC.]  

Another work that we liked was placed in the middle of the main walkway of the garden.  Visitors couldn't possibly avoid the work, called Grotto.  Many visitors, like us, paused and admired the artistry in creating a seemingly natural outcrop of rocks with extraordinary features.

Below is another work of art that seems like it sprang from a nightmare.

Another macabre installation appears below. 

On a recent chilly day, we spotted some bathers frolicking in one of the fountains in the Tuileries garden.  The cold did not seem to bother them one bit.  

Below, Marie-Chantal says:  "Lance-moi la balle." ("Throw me the ball.")

Next Up:  More FIAC Hors les Murs