Jul 12, 2013
Dimension, Perception and Illusion at DYNAMO
You could say we were a wee bit late to the party. Grand Palais has been hosting DYNAMO since early April, and yet we have just been able to make a trip over to check it out this week. It’s like arriving when the last call for a drink had just been announced. Nonetheless, as one would say, better late than never.
Modern art, as a subject, often baffles me. If it had not been for Joan Miró – I felt an instant connection the first time I saw his work in Tate Modern, London – I doubt that I would even make an effort to try to understand modern art. DYNAMO explores the concept behind “a century of light and movement”, often involving an interpretation that combines dimension, perception and illusion, in a really fun way. Have a look.
What really impressed us was the cleverness by which the pieces on exhibit were used to challenge our perceptions. Fixed pieces that had us thinking that they were changing form depending on where we stood, physically 3D installations that appeared as if they were flat and vice versa, the use of colours and complete darkness to often convey movement in unexpected manner, the dispersion and reconvergence of white light, glass tricks to create infinity space and abstract portraits…
We had not known what to expect with DYNAMO. In fact, had Frédéric not had a season pass to the Grand Palais, I’m not even sure we would have stopped by to explore the brilliant ideas that many artists have came up with. We were rewarded with a mind-blowing collection of works and left pondering, why had we not come here sooner!!? This is one of the best exhibitions yet that we’ve seen this year.
I guess the main lessons of the day are to be curious and to keep an open mind. And oh, go see DYNAMO if you haven’t already!
ack ! chanced upon it the other day and didn’t enter as I didn’t know what dynamo was about. was also slightly put off by the EUR13 entry fee but I guess now I might give it a second chance.
indeed, when one is unsure of what an exhibition is about, the price seems prohibitive, and the queue is rather intimidating too. i believe today is the last day, so queue up early!
niceeeeee….love the fan blowing one!!!
for the step by step…one of the step spoilt? kekekekeke
Actually, no, the steps lighting came up one-by-one-ish and change colours too!
boh, : / missed it. good to have seen a glimpse of it on your blog at least. will keep an eye on the next exhibition at the grand palais then.
Grand Palais in general tend to have very well curated exhibitions, and queues tend to be long, so booking online in advance is highly recommended!
thanks for the tip !