SHARING WITH ME

« Splendeurs et Misères », Images of prostitution from 1850 to 1910 had to be another blockbuster. I had read a lot about it. Many of the paintings I knew, had not represented  prostitutes for me, but more jaunty young ladies. I was certainly wrong. There was no queue when I arrived at opening hours at Orsay. That cannot be said for inside the exhibition nor outside when I left. The crowds were horrendous. I managed to go back and forwards from one room to another. Perhaps it was not the best way to follow such and exhibition which was after all done by themes, but at least paintings could be looked at easily or relatively so. The verb “to prostitute oneself” literally means “to display or to expose oneself publicly” so it is hardly surprising to see that the worlds of art and prostitution are somehow linked in the 19th and early 20th century imagination. The metamorphosis of the body of the prostitute – “an object of public pleasure” – into a work of art to be viewed by all was effe

I was telling Anne this evening a little about my experience with this exhibition « Take Me ». « It’s certainly not an exhibition, it’s a game » was my description and since seeing it yesterday, I’m more convinced than ever that this is right. However, it maybe a very serious physiological game! Let’s go back a bit. I thought the concept was a first. Certainly for Paris but in actual fact its success comes from London’s Serpentine Gallery 20 years ago. I would think that the idea is unique in itself as it offers the opportunity to come back home with artworks and objects presented in the show. Everything is there: monetary exchange: swapping objects -  just take it. Only one of course…. How often have you been told «don’t touch » - « step back » or a bell goes off because you are too close (happens to me, not once, but quite often). This « play ground » as I will call it, tears up the rule book and places us at the core of the event. « Touch it, «  Take it » - I’m yours…..