I Prefer Paris: Jean Michel Othoniel: My Way

I have always loved the Palais Royal metro kiosk with its colored glass and brushed aluminum globes designed by artist Jean Michel Othoniel. I was introduced to him socially a few years ago by a mutual friend and he is a calm, very down to earth guy and his boyish looks and casual style make him look way younger than his 47 years. I have followed his work since and have admired his pieces and shows with at various galleries and museums around the city including Emmanuel Perrotin Gallery, Museé de la Chasse, and Manufacture des Gobelins Musée.

My Way is Othoniel's first retrospective and represents his work from 1986 till now. Yes, the title is a reference to the Frank Sinatra song and he considers himself an artistic nomad. His early works are far different than his later works and starting in 1997 in he begins to use Murano glass to make sculptures. He refers to them as "scarring" glass, instructing the glassblowers to wound the glass in the process.

I was privileged to being able to photograph the glass sculptures one morning before the museum opened. The Boat of Tears from 2004 sails in front of the panoramic view of Paris with its mast and frame made of crystal globes in ocean blue and amber brilliantly reflecting off of one another. My Bed from 2003 is a fantasy trip into dreamworld with the outside enveloped in brushed aluminum connected circles, a fake fur bubblegum pink bedspread, and colored globes making the canape. The last room has more freestanding and hanging glass globe sculptures including The Double Knot of Lacan created just for the exhibit.

Also see Othoniel's other installation in the Children's Gallery on the mezzanine titled La Réel Merveilleux. Displayed on four shiny dressing tables and based on Othoniel's favorite puppets as a child, it is much smaller in scale with tiny, delicate figures of sea creatures under glass domes. A whimsical fairy tale for young and old.

Don't miss this very special exhibit.

My Way John Michel Othoniel
Till May 23
Pompidou Center
Metro: Hotel de Ville or Rambuteau
http://www.centrepompidou.fr

These are from the installation in the Children's Gallery on the mezzanine titled La Réel Merveilleux

In addition to my Eye Prefer Paris Tours, we now offer Eye Prefer New York Tours, 3-hour walking tours of New York's best neighborhoods including Soho, Meatpacking/West Village & Tribeca. Tours cost $195 for up to 3 people and $65 for each additional person.Come take a bit of the Big Apple on an Eye Prefer New York Tour!

Come experience my blog ìliveî with my Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I lead. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.Tours cost 195 euros for up to 3 people, and 65 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris. www.eyepreferparistours.com

New! Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotteís professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.

Cost: 185 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.

Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.

Comments

Oh, Richard!! Your photographs are wonderful! I love your choice of pieces and of details. I've been looking forward to this post since we were there! Thank you again for the opportunity to see this exhibit! And now to revisit it via your photos...love it!

Posted by: Cheryl | April 06, 2011 at 03:25 PM