I was blown away by Japanese artist Takashi Murakami’s anime and manga touch adorning 15 rooms of the ancient Chateau de Versailles bringing Marie Antoinette’s palace of pleasure to life!
The exhibition comprises of 22 artworks 11 of which especially created for the exhibition – amongst them are 7 sculptures (one exposed outside), 1 video, 1 painting, 1 carpet, and a collection of lamps…
It is a MUST-SEE to witness the fabulous contrast in past French and modern Japanese art that in my opinion merge ironically beautifully together…. and which I feel Marie Antoinette herself would totally approve (as she would have of Jeff Koons in 2008!)
As Takashi Murakami says in his own words:
For Japanese, myself included, the Château de Versailles is one of the great symbols in Western history. It is emblematic of an elegance, sophistication and artistic ambition that most of us could only dream of.
We understand, of course, that the fuse that sparked the fires of revolution led right through the centre of the building.
But in many ways, it all comes across as a fantastic tale from a kingdom far, far away. Just as the people of France might find it difficult to recreate in their minds an accurate image of the age of the Samurai, so too does the story of the palace become one that is, for us, diluted of reality.
Thus, it is this that I have tried to capture in this exhibition.
I am The Cheshire Cat who greets Alice in Wonderland with his devilish grin, and chatters on as she wanders around the Château.
With my playful smile, I invite you all to the Wonderland of Versailles.
On until 15 December 2010
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