Art exhibits are a Parisian must. They are many and constant.
Modern art, photographers, retrospectives… you name it.
Most Parisians are aware of the main ‘expos’ going on.
It would yet be naïve to believe that the point for Parisians to know about current exhibits is to go see them or to develop their culture. The real point of knowing about current exhibits is to show you know about current exhibits. The main effect of which will be an immediate increase in the Parisian’s perceived social value.
Knowing about current expos, if displayed frequently, yet rather discretely, will make Parisians seem delightfully refined and cultured. Parisians show reverence to people of culture.
It is important to understand that ultimate levels of sophistication do not come in Paris from being a person of culture but from coming across as one. Culture is a fool’s game in Paris. One may think that keeping up with the ever changing new expo scene is a lot of work. Again, it is not. Remember it is not about knowing but about looking like you do. Many Parisians pass a museum of their way to work every morning. And the main current exhibit is always massively advertised, in the metro or on the streets. So right there, the Parisian can effortlessly fuel conversations with at least two exhibits people ‘need to see’. Maximal effect will be achieved when, alongside with the artist, the Parisian also mentions where the exhibit is held. That is the highest form of culture in Paris.
It is basic Parisian knowledge that only six categories of people go watch art exhibits in Paris. That is: provinciaux, foreign exchange students, teachers, foreign tourists, retirees and expats’ wives. No other Parisian has ever seen an expo ever.
Yet, all Parisians always ‘really want to go see it’. Usually because they ‘heard it was great’. Sadly, they just ‘really don’t have time’. But just in case, ‘when does it end?’.
While figuring out about this pernicious Parisian approach to cultural life, non Parisians may think ‘name dropping’. Foolish. It’s art dropping. Dropping art creates an artsy feeling all around. Contagious bubbles of art talks flourish throughout the city. Experts fail to comment upon it but make no mistake about it: art dropping will soon be considered a form of art itself.
By neglecting art, Parisians create art.
Now what you got, non Parisian?!
Useful tip: Only say you actually went to see une expo when talking to people from one of the five categories mentioned above. It would be rude and pretentious to do so with a Parisian.
Sound like a Parisian: « Il y a une super expo Avedon en ce moment au Jeu de Paume»
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Tags: art · exhibits · knowledge11 Comments
11 responses so far ↓
Not totally true. I used to go to Exhibits when I was in Paris and I was a Parisian working mum. But it is true I had time to see only one or two per year. You forgot one category: Parisian retired people. My mother-in-law goes often to exhibits with her friends. And when you see how crowded exhibits are in Paris compared to NY, I am sure they are at least a few Parisians among the visitors
You forgot the 6th and 7th categories: intellos and retirees. If it’s Sunday, it’s expo day.
Séverine… from your website, it seems that you were an exparts’wife to be ;-)) Fair enough for the retirees… I’ve added it. Merci merci!
Maîtresse… retirees added. Intellos bore me and annoy me. Might as well give them no credit at all… (dicattorial mood this morning)!
You did also forget people who work in the art business… They simply have to see all the exhibitions going on. And please, don’t be rude toward intellectuals, or you might lose a few readers…
I am not really an expat wife since I am still working (contrary to the huge majority)
Damn, you’ve reminded me that I missed the Bridget Riley again. Missed it at home too.
Also there’s another expo you’ve missed and would have enjoyed too.
Aideen… rude? me? never! This blog tries to be vaguely humorous… intellos are not into humor!
Severine… 1 - Olivier 0
Fi… Never heard of Bridget Riley: that’s how much I’m into expos!
Your posts are truely brilliant and witty. I’m sure after a couple more posts, I might actually pretend to be Parisian.
Sadly, there was actually so many people for Marie-Antoinette that I cannot believe there were not a little more Parisians among the visitors than the list you gave! It was awful! I didn’t go to the exhibition with Kiraz paintings because I was told it was overcrowded too. I really think that Parisians sometimes actually go to visit some exhibitions : it will just be those everyone is talking about. And, if possible, those who doen’t cost more than macaron! Otherwise, there is no point visiting it, and of course not a permanent exhibition!
Anastacia… question is: will you still want to?! Mais merci merci!
Magalie… had a similar experience on Sunday à Beaubourg. Don’t know what happened to being hungover on Sunday. These people live unusual lives.
Olivier, we missed meeting you in NY by just about an hour! Darn those early dinner reservations.
Funny aside, the driver who picked us up at CDG immediately began telling us about the great Picasso exhibit at the Grand Palais…I had to stifle a giggle, having read this just prior.