L'Écoute, Henri de Miller's 70 ton sandstone sculpture is interesting in its own right. The giant head resting in a hand was placed in front of the beautiful gothic St. Eustache in 1986. I think I'm finally getting use to the very contemporary/abstract art your find right next to the old and wonderful architecture all over Paris. Some I like more than others, but I don't find it as jarring as I did at first. I particularly liked seeing Miller's etchings in the sandstone. Wonderful texture.
The day we visited, I was trying my best to find a good angle to get a decent photograph, when this jolie jeune femme rode up on her bike, hopped off, struck this adorable pose for her friend to photograph and I took advantage of that little gift! Perfect.
9 comments:
The first time I saw it, a bunch of little kids were climbing all over it. 8
It does add a lot having here there. Cute!
Perfect as you say. Just charming. I know what you mean about contemporary art next to the classical and it always surprises me but somehow it usually works. That's Paris in all its beauty and which you show us so well.
Quelle bonne chance!
BTW - Saint-Eustache is the church where the funeral for Mozart's mother was held, in case you don't know the story...
Because of its proximity to le Louvre, when le Louvre was the center of government (obviously before becoming le musée celebré, Saint-Eustache was the church attended by the royals and government ministers. Also, because of its location next to les Halles, it was the church attended by provisioners who had prospered at les Halles, so it was the largest and wealthiest parish in Paris, more so even than Nôtre-Dame. That it was a prosperous parish speaks to why this church is larger in size than Nôtre-Dame.
We (friend and I) love this and the area where you can just sit and look at the church.
But we were a bit annoyed by the graffiti on it.
Anne,
the graffiti is everywhere in Paris. THey do a really good job of cleaning it off but it's a disgrace that it happens at all. Even at the dome of the Sacre Coeur, there were words scratched into the walls etc.
Louis,
INteresting info on the church. We went inside and it is lovely although not as grand as I remembered Notre Dame. Maybe I'll get back there this trip. I found all the churches in France special in their own way, whether large or small. I think it's sad that they aren't used as places of worship as they should be.
V
Jolie!!!
La tête! Rencontrez-moi à la tête devant le saint Eustache! One of my favorite landmarks in Paris -- usually where I ask my Parisian friends to meet me when we get together because everyone knows it (and I usually stay close by in Montourgeuil).
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