Tuesday, October 06, 2009

The eyes of Pont Louis-Philippe


I could not believe my eyes this morning when I saw the Pont Louis-Philippe all covered in huge eyes on my way to the office. I made some research and found out it's one of the many remains of the Nuit Blanche. These huge eyes belong to women around the world, they were photographed by JR, who also thought of gluing them everywhere along the river embankment and on some bridges. There is always something going on in Paris! Have a look at JR's site and the site dedicated to the event where you can also see photos of the making of (that is the installation of all this).

38 comments:

  1. Ah, but those French eyes belong only to les Parisiennes, n'est-ce pas?

    Great photo, wonderful art.

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  2. WHOA! I bet you were taken aback. There's something ominous about those eyes. It's Mademoiselle Seine brought to life.

    Gosh I love Paris.

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  3. They look kind of alien to me. Not sure I like the idea of being watched!

    buzzgirl

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  4. Hmmm...not omninous, at least not to me. Perhaps a little sad, maybe a little weary..

    Beautiful, Eric. Thank you.

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  5. Wow! How cool is this?? (Only thing cooler would be if one's own eyes were featured on one of his installations.) You're so right, Eric—there is always something going on in Paris. Thanks for sharing!

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  6. Wow Eric, that's amazing. I saw it being done as they were painting along the wall but NOT on the bridge. Bet that wasn't an easy thing to accomplish.

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  7. THese just blew me away Eric. Bravo . I say it often I know, but only in Paris !!! Merci for taking the rest of us along with you.
    V

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  8. Suzy, you put it so poetically. This is really something. Is it permanent? So striking.

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  9. BTW, that post by lilascott is actually from me, Alexa, not my daughter Lila. Don't know how that happened, except that Lila was on my computer today. Re my family ghost comment from yesterday, check this out. (But she appears to family members as a full apparition, not just a white dot.) As for the French ghost in the bed, it's a long story.

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  10. I saw some of his work along the quai about a week ago and was hoping you would show it. An article I had translated for me last week from Paris Elle said JR has done these instillations around the world.

    I think this photo is the best one I have seen of the many instillations he has along the water. Bravo to you Eric.
    No, they are not permanent.

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  12. Cool! Paris is really full of surprises!

    Now where's the "like" link on your post? (";)

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  13. I'm glad it's not permanent, but a little disappointed I won't see it.

    Cool that you have a family ghost, Alexa. If/when I ever get to NYC I'll take you out and pump you for more information!

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  14. Ca tape a l'oeil....ou bien, ca saute aux yeux.

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  15. I just love those eyes! In fact, I took pictures 3 days in a row, even before it was really ready !The exhibit is supposed to be there for a month, unless the rain removes it all before then ... so hurry ;)

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  16. Brilliant !

    I'm in Paris next weekend, I think I'll go and have a look, thanks Eric !

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  17. Sorry I missed a few posts but catching up was a delight: your photo of the Nuit Blanche fishing rods on canal Saint Martin was fantastic and so was the post about the Gregos faces around Montmartre. Isn't Paris is wonderful city?

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  18. At first glance, it appeared to me as the face of a cat! With the nose being where the two arches meet in the water. It’s all in the eyes of the beholder, isn’t it?

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  19. Amazing! Must make a lot of people do a double take.

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  20. Becane - those Chicago cats must be pretty scary.
    My eyes saw ET in this photograph.
    (In more ways than one)

    It would be great if more cities were as enthusiastic about public art.

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  21. Drummond, I saw the same thing, with the button nose and odd mouth. If I hold my finger up to cover them, it looks completely different, although the left eye is still about twice the size of the right one. ETS - I like the idea of Mme. Seine, come up for a watery look round. : )

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  22. The effect on the bridge is fantastic.

    Eric I had the opportunity to see the exibition of this project of JR here in Rio. It was shown here last April to inaugurate the year of France in Brasil.

    Among others, there were photos like this glued to the façade of some slum houses in poor areas of Rio.

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  23. Well I'm particularly interested in photographing eyes, so this appeals to me. Have to say, though, my first thought was ET. Perhaps it's the shaping of the bridge into the 'face'.

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  24. Hi
    I was in Paris at the weekend and saw some of these pictures along the river. I love Paris and I love it's art modern and traditional. This isn't my favourite but it is still fun.

    The White Nights idea is superb!

    I hope the pictures on the briges can come off.....

    Julie ;-)

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  25. My first thought was that we were witnessing the boldest graffiti artist in the world!!

    Very cool idea....I hope they are still there in a few weeks...



    Sean

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  26. Hmm..Private Eyes are watching you! Where else but Paris??? J'adore!!

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  27. The ET! ET!! ET!!! is lit up in red and blue....

    http://www.paris-live.com/

    ....anyone know why?

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  28. No, but I will try to find out for you!

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  29. I got it, Anonymous!

    "THE EIFFEL TOWER AND A SEASON OF TURKEY IN FRANCE

    In the framework of “A Season of Turkey in France” (July 2009 – March 2010) and under the auspices of the Mayor of Paris, the Eiffel Tower is adorning the colors of Turkey from October 6 – 11, 2009."

    I hope we get the Tenin perspective!

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  30. I have to say my first thought was it was a cat and my second 'ET'!

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  31. Funny what each one saw.
    I really saw at first ET and now I can only see the eyes of a cat (angora?).
    Miaou ;-)

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  32. The Surrealists would have loved this.

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  33. ~so cool!!
    wish our bridges here in my country were painted this way!
    :]

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