ALICE IN WONDERLAND - 21ST CENTURY

I know, it’s going to be difficult to believe but I spent the afternoon with Alice in Wonderland - version 21st century.

She was very sweet and wanted to show me her chateau on the Quai de la Tournelle not far from where I live. She told me that her home dated from the Xllth century and that  after changing hands many times, new luxury flats were to be developed.  This, I don’t like at all and told her so. So she added:-

«Let me show you how I live today. After the 22nd of September I will be returning to my own century behind the looking glass».

We walked up the path together. It’s a beautiful exterior which we usually don’t have the pleasure of visiting - inside or outside. So I knew this would be very special. Unfortunately it was spitting with rain so the garden with it’s plants and the mirror effect of the sculpture could not really be appreciated. Alice told me that when the sun was out it sparkled with different colours and picked up the blues and greens of the furniture and flowers around. I believed her, but was not particularly impressed as I had seen that kind of sculpture before in «my land».

And further

Out into the garden

Going in

Alice took this from the first floor.

The sculpture

She must have noted my lack of enthusiasm and suggested that before we visited her house, a little light snack might go down the right way. My goodness, all those butterflies floating around the ceiling and it felt as if we were standing on grass. The big bowl of fresh vegies looked appealing but as a little deer seemed to be waiting for something to eat and that the white rabbit was playing with a mate under the table, Alice pulled my arm to push me on.

All those silk butterflies

over a table with vegies

and a deer looking over us

And there she was. No, of course it couldn’t be the Queen or Hearts...but definitely the Queen of some land. She looked at me strangely as I went around looking at objects that I have never seen before.

Could it be the Queen ?

then she disappeared

and her chair was left empty

What is it now?

Now who has been here?

Another chair to sit on

And another

I'm sure that's a pink rabbit?

?????

And another chair

And a magic shoe

Alice then suggested we take a look at the main dining room. Impressive of course and a second later, the butler appeared.

the lights were not lit

and then they were and the butler appeared

Thierry Bruet - The painting lesson 2013

Oddities were all over the place and when we went on from the dining room, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Was this a painting lesson on Yue Minjun. The «philosophers» seemed pretty lost don’t you think?

silent shellls

and more people.....

 The music room with it's "wooden" looking piano. Rooms which we dashed through and odd vases to look out - or even odd wall sculptures which somehow I had seen before.

Threatening sculls

and more

Lights that turned in th ceiling

changing colour all the time

a piano to be played - perhaps

and flowers in weird vases

Don't know if I want this as a light....

 There were different chairs for me to try before we went into her mythology salon.





 Then down to the kitchen but somehow Alice must have known me very well. It was just for me....the champagne tree, with glasses and bottles ready for a wonderful evening ahead.

Champagne trees

with glasses waiting

and more and more to drink....



Sadly I turned and we went to say goodnight to her little brother Tom.

Tom's bed

and his chair....

Alice then suggested I take a nap in her bed before going back to my reality.....

A different kind of bedroom

with a very big bed....

I suggested taking a photo of her before I left.....

well she was sitting in the chair

so why am I there and not Alice?

Alice, thank you for a lovely visit and if you can make sure that the new flats which are to replace your home are as «fantastic» as your home, then I will come back to visit you.

Exhibition AD Intérieurs 2013 - Métamorphose......

7-22nd Septmber : 

47 Quai de la Tournelle - 75005 Paris. 

Thank you Anne.