August 08, 2007

Children of the World

Referring to my yesterday’s post, there was one thing which I did not mention and which I think needs a special post.

If you climb the stairs around the “waterfall”, you will find a number of about 2 meter (6 or 7 ft) high statues, aligned more or less as the “moai” of the Easter Island. To gain space, I put them closer together in the below patchworks.

These bronze statues are by an artist called Rachid Khimoune. There are 21 of them, and they were symbolically put here at the start of the 21st century. They represent children from all continents, “Les Enfants du Monde”. I guess you can easily recognise who is Chinese, Swiss, Italian, Indian…

The artist spent years travelling around the world moulding different pieces of ground or buildings, often street manhole covers (what you can see on the top picture), but sometimes other significant local details. He then integrated these in the sculptures.

If you have some time over, I could suggest that you have a more detailed look on my photo blog.

23 comments:

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  3. very interesting history to it!

    **Rachid Khimoune

    he needs to be awarded for this Masterpiece! was he ever awarded?

    Keshi.

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  4. ces statues des enfants du monde entier, sont magnifiques. elles me font penser a des oeuvres de Niki de saint phalle. c'est une tres bonne idee.

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  5. Quelles statues intéressantes !

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  6. the children statues are cute!

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  7. I have never seen this before Peter and totally charmed by the stautes....what a great work of art :D

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  8. It is a clever way to display so many different cultures. It isn't easy to even think of doing what he did so that was no small accomplishment. Great photo collection, Peter.

    Abraham Lincoln
    Brookville Daily Photo

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  9. Very original and beautiful too. i enjoyed the museum of the romantics too.

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  10. Amazing these statues, Peter! Interesting post!
    Is there also a Brazilian statue?

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  11. sonia:
    Yes of course, have a look on the last slide, in the middle!

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  12. What an interesting place! I remember the Bastille but I don't recall any statues there. I will have to check them out the next time I'm in Paris.

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  13. Sure, Peter, thanks! Now I see! The "carioca" guy ( menino from Rio de Janeiro) is with the statue of Christ Redeemer on hands! Great!

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  14. This is worth seeing, has to keep in mind if ever visiting in Paris again.

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  15. they are so real...great work of art!

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  16. Such an enjoyable post today...we all enjoy it so much, and yet there's so much arguing around the world...strange paradox.

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  17. Does anybody know what this "promoteyourblogforfree" thing is?

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  18. Tu en trouves des lieux sympas dans Paris!! et avec du ciel bleu, tu as de la chance, car aujourd'hui, tu as dû mettre tes palmes pour sortir!!
    Ces statues me font penser au manège des enfants du monde, que j'ai pris à Disney Land en Californie.

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  19. Good idea you put them closer together in the patchworks.
    You created new ART!
    Amazing!

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  20. Peter,
    They are similar to what we have a rock garden in Chandigarh, India. All the artwork made from waste of bathroom and some glass pieces.. Maybe sometime I'll post some pictures.

    I need to go to Paris again after reading all your posts.

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  21. Lequel est Chinois? Le petit bonhomme de l'avant dernier rang, qui a un gros chapeau et la tête légèrement levée? Et la dernière dame du premier rang, qui est-ce?

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  22. Je vais leur rendre visite un jour.

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