Last month, I had the good fortune to spend some time in Paris.  The main purpose for my trip was to see the Pompidou Center’s exhibit, Los Angeles 1955-1985 - Birth of An Artistic Capital.  The title alone gives the show, and its city of origin, a certain amount of respect.  My aim was not so much the context of the exhibit, but how it was presented to the world from the point of view of a foreigner.  And by the French, who some would argue, have not had the greatest respect for American art.  However, what I found was quite fascinating. 

 

If you’ve not been to the Pompidou Center before, visit www.centrepompidou.fr and simply have a look at the building.  It speaks of innovation, inspiration and of artistic and cultural concepts beyond our time.  As does the LA exhibit. Much of the show was video and conceptual art aimed at shock value and influenced by our culture’s industry, entertainment.  This kind of an exhibit needed room, volume and a huge amount of space to be displayed and appreciated.  The Pompidou did that.  The exhibit was sprawling, but well organized and very well laid out, giving the public time and lot’s of room to take in each (and often times very a disturbing) exhibit. Finally, the show was housed on the top floor of the center.  Taking the glass-housed tube escalator ride up was breathtaking, but emerging from the exhibit itself for the ride down was the real treat.  One could only stand and stare out at Paris (literally) laid out before you at your feet.  That was amazing.