A tantalizing Expo of open-air Sculpture in the street. More and more this is what Monaco is to its residents and visitors. And yes the Principality has too its magnificent Belle Epoque architecture, expensive cars, luxury hotels, and snow-white yachts. They are sculptural masterpieces in themselves. But there is room for freedom of expression of every kind – and why not explore deeper philosophical questions with sculpture too – in the open air, touching everyone as they pass by. Monaco has many dimensions and freedom of expression to ask “where is the world going?” is one of them. When we look at a rose, there is always the question of the future – will our children be able to enjoy roses in the same way?
This month is special due to 14 artists who attempt to shed light on questions like this – where exactly is the world heading? They have descended on the uniquely charming Princess Caroline Street which sweeps up from the Mediterranean shore – the perfect backdrop to respond to the challenge of creating a dialogue with their works on the theme of a “World Turned on its Head”. In fact they can let their hair down and express it with the Gallic twist “A World Walking on its Head” is the literal name of the event.
This street Expo all arose from the passion and energy of Héléna Krajewicz and Rob Rowlands of “Artistes en Mouvement” which was created ten years ago with the aim of injecting into the city of Monaco “contemporary” art accessible to everyone. This Biennial of Sculpture is such a success that this year is its sixth edition – a real institution!
They treat art as a rare field of freedom that allows everyone to “see differently”, to give “form” to our own very personal visions or even express symbolically the very meaning of life.
Go from surprise to discovery, to wonder, and also to marvel. HelloMonaco will give you a taste. Engage criticize, be poetic, above all go to Princess Caroline Street and see these visionary works which are making more and more visible this dimension of our Principality – which is a sculptors haven of free expression.
Gérard Braguy with his “The Iceberg” with penguins in mid-street reflects on global warming.
Elizabeth Brainos refuses to be pessimistic about life with her joyful “Chevalière sur Cheval Bleu”.
In contrast the ultimate sad statement about the limits of man’s inhumanity, Bama Gacsi’s
“Les Esclaves”.
To lighten the mood but raise the question of biodiversity Héléna Krajewicz et Rob Rowlands, “Nous voulons des coquelicots”.
Géry Rudent challenges us with questions rather than answers with a puzzle even in the title – who and what are these strange children doing? “Bug”.
Marc Gaillet reflects with his distorted figurines on how our concepts of ethics and concepts of fairness are inevitably compromised in the daily flow of information and life “AFTER GAME 11, 12, et 13”.
Finally ghoulish faces of Valerie Denamur’s “Hypnotic People” look on in horror and alarm as the “World Walks on its Head”.
Princess Caroline Street in the Condamine is open to visit, every day and evening. You can admire all the sculptures of this Biennial Expo – there are many more too – for free until October 26th.
