The Palace of Versailles is once again hosting the annual event of an exhibition of modern art in its state apartments and gardens. This year, Portuguese artist, Joana Vasconcelos has created a number of installations which rival the ornate backdrop of the venue.
The artist drew her inspiration from the idea that the world is an opera and that the Palace of Versailles is the embodiment of the operatic and aesthetic ideal. The palace exudes a timeless energy, a place which, when built, embraced the newest and most innovative of the ideas of its day, making it a perfect space for the art of the 21st century.
As expected, however, the event has created a great deal of controversy. The traditionalists object to the exhibition on the grounds that the palace is perfectly balanced as it stands. On the other hand, art experts state that the pieces work together and that the contrasts of past and present is justified and produces a stimulating result.
The last word on the subject comes from the management of the palace who have noted a considerable increase in visitors during the exhibition periods, well aware that controversy equals big crowds. The exhibition runs through to September 30th, 2012.
