Sledge Hammers and Champagne
Try to imagine if you can, getting all jazzed up in your “I am so going out on the town and am going to look amazing” outfit, only to find yourself donning a hard hat, goggles and white painters uniform while being handed a sledge hammer in order to smash walls, closets and bathrooms at one of the finest hotels in Paris.
That’s exactly what several hundred VIP’s were invited to do at Le Royal Monceau, a five star grande dame of a place to stay just off the Champs Elysée. Needing to give the old gal a face lift, the hotel has closed its doors for the next year, hiring designer Philip Stark, to transform its Art Deco inspired decor into something more, well, up to date. Leave it to the French to take such drastic and creative measures in letting the world know what’s happening.
Belgian artist, Arne Quinze, took over Le Royal Monceau and created a futuristic wooden sculpture entitled Rebirth that snaked its way throughout the lobby and upper floors, leaving few stones unturned.
The mind boggling installation required 15 kilometers of plywood and gallons of fluorescent red paint. Well placed lighting, 40 video screens, performance artists and dancing Marie Antoinettes gave party goers something to talk about for awhile!
As much as I think this looks awesome and my research has introduced me to Mr. Quinze, whose work I find fascinating, I’d be lying if I didn’t say the money used on this event could certainly have been put to better use. I’d label this irresponsible indulgence. Gosh, who’s the crabby face today?!?!?
Photo credit: ||Stylee’s||@flickr
Tags: , Arne Quinze, b5media, Demolition, france, L'hotel Royal Monceau, paris, Philip Stark, Rebirth, the paris traveler, travel, travel blogsRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Miscellaneous, News & Events
5 opinions for Sledge Hammers and Champagne
taylor
Jul 14, 2008 at 3:03 pm
“I’d be lying if I didn’t say the money used on this event could certainly have been put to better use.”
–that’s almost exactly what I thought before I reached the end of your post! I too like the exhibition, but it seems rather pointless if they’re simply going to take it down to redo the place….
Leanne
Jul 14, 2008 at 4:43 pm
I’m wondering if the Marie-Antoinettes and the irresponsible indulgence is a coincidence? Quite the commentary of modern society.
Shane
Jul 16, 2008 at 8:17 am
Visitors to the newly redesigned hotel might be in for quite a shock if the Philippe Starck designed Asahi Headquarters Building in Tokyo is any indication.
sieghild
Jul 31, 2008 at 11:53 am
What do you mean with your comment about the better use of the money for this event? Is it related to the installation of Mr. Quinze or rather to the event?
Kim
Jul 31, 2008 at 12:16 pm
I have become quite a fan of Mr. Quinze. It is the event, the waste incurred, that I take issue with.
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