Anne Hidalgo, the mayor of Paris, noted the project was “un peu fou”—a little crazy—but that it inspired “re-enchantment and rediscovery” on one of the “most beautiful avenues of the world—pardon my chauvinism.”
Whether people ultimately love it or hate it, she noted that its effect was to “bousculer” or shake things up—which, admittedly, is not a term French people always love to apply to their patrimonial heritage. Philippe BĂ©laval, president of Centre des monuments nationaux (CMN) and a key partner of the project, framed Christo as one “who respects, but dares.”
I'm a big fan of crazy shit like this for no real reason, providing it's temporary and doesn't cost anybody anything. And it reminds me of when I went to the Arc De Triomphe, bought a ticket to go to the top, asked where the elevator was and found myself almost dying while trudging up some circular passage way that left about three inches on either side of me, meaning I couldn't stop to rest or let people through. But once I found myself at the top, overlooking all of the amazing city, you're goddam right it was worth it.
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