Paris in Pictures: Jardin des Tuileries

 

 

 

 

 

Sunrise East

These statues make up Ugo Rondinone's "Sunrise East" installation at the Jardin des Tuileries. Each statue represents a month, and are placed like the numbers of a clock around a pool. I assume that 1 o'clock is January, 2 o'clock is February, etcetera. I read that they are supposed to emphasize the cyclical nature of life. Putting that aside, they are wonderfully funny and delightful in their context at Tuileries. Seeing them juxtaposed against the background of the grand, regal Concorde with the Arc de Triomphe in the distance put a smile on my face. Paris can be intimidating in regard to its history and scale, but these statues are so silly and fresh that they counteract any stuffiness.