Sanctuary in a Paris Contemporary Art Setting

This is the high point of my art quest in Paris. The Cartier Foundation Contemporary Art Space to view the Ron Mueck exhibit

The building is a stunnng glass structure whose outer layer contains trees and forest vegetation with tall glass galleries nestled inside.

First gallery, the 5 times larger than human scale of two figures under a red, blue, orange, yellow beach umbrella. He lying on his back, head on her lap. His right arm crooked up to caress her elbow and his right arm resting on his forehead as he gazes outward. Taupe and rust plaid swim trunks like bermuda shorts. She – graying shoulder length hair drawn behind her ears in a royal blue polyester swimsuit sitting at 90% angle and gazing down at him.

You are fascinated to see wrinkles, sags, white skin, drooping signs of age in great detail – even sparse underarm hair.

Such a gentle, comfortable love story. These two have known each other for a long time. Their bond is one of acceptance and a quiet tenderness. Yet there is also a feeling of distance. It brought tears to my eyes. People lingered for a long time.

The exhibit – making the extroaordinary out of ordinary people. I have heard contemporary art is supposed to provoke and there are wild stories of stunts and shocking scenarios. The figures created by this masterful artist provoke deep feeling and wonder and at times unease.

Three of the pieces were commissioned for this exhibit. Also a 52 minute film of Mueck creating them in his London studio. This place was a sanctuary for this art seeker and a welcome reprieve from the frenetic camera laden masses of tourists swarming the iconic Parisian art venues and monuments.