Paris – the city of lights, love, romance, art. No matter how many times you’ve been to Paris, there will always be something left unseen. You could go back every year for the rest of your life and not see everything. I usually don’t agree with the general consensus on anything, but Paris is truly the world’s greatest city. Ah, Paris.
Contantin Brâncuşi (pronounced a bit like Brihn-’coosh or Bruhn-’coosh, not Bran-’cu-si) was one of the many Romanian artists who found inspiration and creative refuge in this magical city in the late 19th/early 20th centuries. Brâncuşi was born into a poor peasant family in the small village of Hobița near the Romanian Carpathian mountains, an area known for its woodcarving-based art. The geometric style of the area obviously influenced him in developing the abstract, minimalist, representative style for which he became famous in Romania, France, the US, and later, around the world. But despite his having gained a great deal of recognition world-wide, the Communist Romanian government refused the inheritance of Brâncuşi’s collection, so he left part of it to the French state on the condition that they would reconstruct his workshop to look as he had left it on the day he died. Today, you can visit the atelier (workshop), which really has the look and feel of a traditional Romanian craftsman’s workshop, in the heart of Paris right next to the famous modern and contemporary art museum, the Centre Pompidou (where some of his masterpieces are housed).
Scattered sculptures
Before having visited his workshop, I was familiar with Brâncuşi’s art pieces from Romania. In the city of Târgu Jiu, I had visited Brâncuşi’s largest pieces, which are also some of his last. The Gate of the Kiss, The Table of Silence, and The Endless Column are a source of great pride for Romania, built as an ensemble to honor the soldiers of World War I.
Coloana Infinitului - "The Endless Column"
In his recreated workshop in Paris, you can see bits of the above-mentioned ensemble reflected in other works scattered around the rooms. You can also observe his hundreds of tools, some lined up, some scattered here and there. The recreation really gives you a sense of being there in Brâncuşi’s artistic environment – you almost have the feeling that he might show up at any time and resume his work!
Workspace with tools
For me, this was a very important place to visit. As a Romanian, I like to see positive representations of my culture, especially ones that have been lauded by the international community. Most people know little to nothing about Romania, and what little some people do know is often negative or just plain wrong. So to see the recreation of the workshop reminded me of something familiar and made me feel a connection with my own culture and country.
Of course not everyone will have such a personal connection with the workshop. But if you enjoy art or scuplture at all, this might be interesting to you. Or, can also just let your imagination run wild by trying to correlate the abstract shapes with the names the artist gave them, like “Bird in Space” and “The Beginning of the World”. Probably the most fun one is called Princess X, a controversial, phallic piece that was later revealed to represent Princess Marie Bonaparte (you can also read the story on the artist’s Wikipedia page, linked below).
If all this hasn’t convinced you, I can just say that the entrance is free, so you really have no excuse not to at least take a quick peak!
Photo credit: Image of Coloana Infinutului courtesy of Alexis Argyris.
Atelier Brâncuși
Place Georges Pompidou
75004 Paris, France
Phone: +33 144781233
Opening Hours: Daily 14:00 – 18:00
Related links:
Wikipedia – Constantin Brâncuși
Centre Pompidou – Histoire de L’Atelier Brâncuși
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