Ever since I found out about Ai WeiWei visiting Paris for his ErXi show, I was excited. I had to see his art in person. I should be honest – since this is my first blog on the hundredth site – I like Mr. WeiWei\’s art, though I do not necessarily understand it. But what I love MOST are his cats. So unlike many people, my fondness for this great artist started due to his cats (more here and here – MUST SEE) and then his expressive ways (in a not so friendly environment) and then, finally his art. So let me begin with my visit to Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche. Although that is not how this day started.
Don\’t you think the logos of Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche and Rituals (the yummy smelling cosmetic company) are so similar. Talk about simplicity. I like both.
The Bon Marché more importantly \”Rive Gauche\” is a gorgeous high-end shopping store. Just, Le Bon marché translates to a good shop, but this is not just good, it is LVMH backed luxury. You can easily look up the brands on their website. But the more beautiful aspect of it is how intricately well it is designed. Apparently, a certain Monsieur Gustave Eiffel was consulted for structural work. Yes, exactly, the same Mr. Eiffel. Ai Weiwei\’s installations combined with this architectural beauty created a surreal experience. The smells of the parfums from the lower floors, and us enveloped by the cosy Fall collection on the floor we were at, made it feel like pure magic.
I was with a friend that day. And usually the two of us end up eating or drinking every three hours. Literally.
So before our visit to the famous shopping store, we had originally planned to meet up for lunch at a very nice Chinese restaurant. But it was closed. So we headed, in a bitingly cold, windy wind towards another Chinese restaurant, where we pigged out.
Let\’s cut to the previous shot, at Le Bon Marché, we were hungry and thirsty again. This time around we went to the cafe upstairs – Café Primo Piano. Our thé goumandise was pretty looking but ok to taste. I fell in love with their kettle – you must know I have a thing for Kettles.
Thereafter, were just prancing around the bookstore and home store after our caffeine dose – high on energy but low on cash.
All in a all I loved my Ai Weiwei day, thanks to him!