Blog | HPRG Ai Weiwei exhibition Er XI at the Bon Marché until 20th February 2016 – Hotels Paris Rive Gauche Blog

Ai Weiwei exhibition Er XI
at the Bon Marché until 20th February 2016

Now here’s an odd project if ever we saw one.

Le Bon Marché department store, two minutes from la Belle Juliette, is showing works by the Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, who says he is “using a new medium to reach a different audience, one as diverse as in a museum”.

But what is the real aim of this exhibition of original creations, apparently the artist’s first in France? Here’s all the info.

Exposition Ai Weiwei Er XI au Bon Marché jusqu'au 20 février 2016
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Don’t be surprised if you go to the Bon Marché in the next few weeks – the giant beasts hanging over your head mean you no harm. They’re just large-scale sculptures by artist Ai Weiwei who “is bringing poetry and a dream-like quality to the heart of the store and its window displays”.

In an interview, the artist explains that he appreciates the challenge of showing his work in a space that is not really dedicated to art, but still linked with new styles, approaching it as a good way to reach people outside a museum context.

He also explains that his father, the poet Ai Qing, lived in Paris in the early 1930s while studying art, so he has a special attachment to the city.

Despite all this, some are not convinced about the event’s validity and its obviously commercial side.

The department store may be treating the installations like a real exhibition, with free guided visits every Thursday from 7-8pm and Saturdays from 11am-midday (must be booked in advance by phone on +33 (0)1 44 39 81 81), but the official site has no qualms about pushing the products created specially for the event, like the catalogue, the colouring book and even a tote bag.

Perhaps the best way to judge is to go down and see for yourself? That way you’ll also be able to watch a short film with the artist talking about his life, and the exhibition, being shown on the ground floor, probably near the perfume department.

The Ai Weiwei exhibition Er XI is at the Bon Marché (here) until 20th February 2016

Open every day except Sundays from 10am-8pm (9pm Thursdays and Fridays)

Website: ici

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