Ai Weiwei at Le Bon Marché

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Even if you can’t make it to Paris before the end of the month, I wanted to share images of Chinese artist and political activist Ai Weiwei‘s latest (temporary) installation, Er Xi at Le Bon Marché department store in Paris. I knew it would be beautiful, but I didn’t expect the sense of joy and childlike wonder that came over me as I started to look up at the world above me. Er Xi means “Child’s Play” as the 22 mystical animals come to life overhead.

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If you speak French, Le Bon Marché offers guided visits on Thursday afternoons (reservations required). Don’t miss the windows outside as well (not pictured here, because I missed them). The installation is up until February 20th. Ai Weiwei has a fascinating background, spending his childhood in exile. I would have loved to have seen his installation on Alcatraz, which was more colorful.

Le Bon Marché
24 Rue de Sèvres, 75007 Paris
Metro: Sevres-Babylone

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Follow me @pretavoyager on Instagram + Twitter + Medium! I teach MAPS, Travel Posters, InDesign, and Redesign Your Résumé on Skillshare, and give Paris tours through Vayable! Don’t miss my new Paris Posters Tumblr!

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