Did you know that a monumental installation, free of charge, was waiting for you in the heart of theMadeleine Church? Indeed, in the very heart of the monument, is unveiled until February 20, 2023, the artistic work of Benoit Dutour which gives to see 103 Tears of Joy on 35 meters height. We might as well tell you that it is a sight to behold.
You often see the beautiful church that sits on the Place de la Madeleine, but have you ever been there? It is true that with its facade currently under construction, you don't necessarily have the idea to enter it. Maybe it's time to discover it or to go back there. It should be noted that since 2010, the Madeleine regularly calls upon a contemporary artist to revisit the Nativity, symbolized by a crib in the Catholic tradition.
This year and since December, it is Benoît Dutour who was chosen to symbolize the offerings that could be made in our time in honor of this birth. In reference to the gifts brought by the Magi, which at the time were gold, myrrh and incense, Benoit Dutour has imagined a superb artistic installation composed of a hundred"Tears of Joy" as gifts, more current, which revolve around wealth, beauty and fragility.
Each tear of the work is singular and gives to see sometimes the beauty of the nature, such as the seeds of dandelions which fly away, the clovers with 4 leaves or the butterflies; sometimes the richness with the coins, the bitcoins, the gold and even a real bill of 500 € imprisoned in a tear and sometimes the fragility such as the ashes of the Cathedral Notre Dame.
These tears suspended in height required 3 months of assembly with the major difficulty of passing through a net of restraints that can only be seen at eye level. Inaugurated last December 3, you can still admire the work until February 20, 2023, from 9:30 am to 7 pm.
We invite you to sit down and admire this work. You will then notice that these tears, gracefully illuminated by the company Sammode, change light intensity. They go from 5 watts to 10 watts and go out intermittently in reference to the Big Bang and the explosion, disappearance and creation and origin of the world.
You love the concept and the work? Note that these famous tears are available for sale (count 2 500€ per tear)! Enough to have tears of joy! As a bonus, the sale is for a good cause. Indeed, the artist commits himself not to make any profit from it, dedicating the gain of the sales to the production of tears, the communication of the project and the payment of a donation to the church to participate in its conservation and its expenses.
For information or reminder, the artist Benoît Dutour is inspired by the new realists by marrying the humor of Magritte and the conceptual art of Marcel Duchamp. A Jack-of-all-trades, he invests in all forms of art whether it be painting, sculpture, photography or video, all through a theme that is dear to him: life and time. The series "Tears of Joy" is quite representative of his artistic approach. It highlights the fragility through forms of drops containing different elements of our universe.
In short, don't miss a nice visit to theMadeleine Church for a unique moment of contemplation.
Dates and Opening Time
From February 3rd, 2023 to February 20th, 2023
Location
Madeleine Church
Place de la Madeleine
75008 Paris 8
Prices
Free
Recommended age
For all
Official website
benoitdutour.com
