Today we were treated to a guided tour of La Défense by Emilie. Although I’d been once before (in fact, I’d walked the 8km distance between it and the Louvre) only today did I begin to appreciate the consideration that went into its inception and the work that has gone into its realization. Actually, it turns out my initial impressions of it from my previous trip were almost entirely incorrect. Did you know that La Defense is home to multiple grassy 
patches, trees, residential buildings, and a vast shopping center? I was very impressed by the degree to which its creators considered all aspects of a self-contained village when planning it, for it really is a cohesive entity.
patches, trees, residential buildings, and a vast shopping center? I was very impressed by the degree to which its creators considered all aspects of a self-contained village when planning it, for it really is a cohesive entity. The manner in which sculpture is incorporated into the layout of La Defense made me realize to what extent the French appreciate art and its role in society. A large, red, steel statue (designed by the same artist that did MIT’s sail, Alexander Calder) crawls into the main walkway of the esplanade and reflects in the glass windows of the adjacent office buildings; two red-yellow-blue toy-like figurines that actually weigh 4 tons greet shoppers exiting the shopping center . And a huge thumb sticks out of the ground to the right of the Grande Arche. Each of these pieces was commissioned to artists who spent significant amounts of time visiting La Defense, considering its layout, and the best way in which to integrate their work. In fact, each company building in La Defense is responsible for producing one arts-related program: a concert, an art exhibit, or a large statue. That’s not something you see very often in Boston!
January 11, 2006
Paris-Ouest
