The Centre Pompidou (Pompidou Center) is home to Paris' museum of modern art. First opened in 1977, the museum's architecture was bold and controversial. The building's structure, accesses, water and HVAC systems are apparent on the exterior, allowing for wide-open and flexible exhibit space on the interior. Critics of the day complained that the building looked to them like an oil refinery in the middle of the city.
Critics come and go and, since its opening, the Pompidou Center has brought new life to a previously run down neighborhood. The city had classified the site as an îlot insalubre (a slum) and it was partially razed in the 1930s and subsequently became a parking lot. Now, the area has been largely pedestrianized and bustles with no lack of restaurants, cafés, shops, and street artists.
Where does art end and modern art begin? Is the “Raffinerie” art in itself? So, anything, and I mean anything, is art. Here comes the beholder?
ReplyDeleteWhat a Mohawk doing in Paris?
ReplyDeleteI have never been in that one
ReplyDeleteGreat museum, thanks.
ReplyDeleteYour photo alone makes me want to visit. We have a Pompidou Center here in Málaga that’s nicely done, although can’t hold a candle to the original.
ReplyDeletechm, your guess is as good as mine!
ReplyDeletetravel, add it to your list!
bettyann, :)
mitch, I find it strange that Pompidous, Guggenheims, and Louvres, are popping up all over the globe. I guess branding is a thing in the art world, too.
It is probably a way to exhibit reserves.
ReplyDeleteExhibiting reserves and I've read it is bringing art to the suburbs and to people who have never been able to visit the big museums. Another place that I now have on my list of places I've missed on previous visits to Paris!
ReplyDeleteThat terrace really is attractive.