Exposition Internationale 1937

While living in Paris during the winter of 2011, I happened across a group of statues surrounding a shallow empty pool, almost hidden behind the Musée d'Art Moderne. The first statue is a monument to the fallen of the French Resistance, and includes the inscription of a quote from Charles Péguy at its base: "Mere, voici vos fils qui se sont tant battus". Below that, over an engraved Cross of Lorraine, is another inscription: "Aux volontaires des forces Françaises libres morts pour l'honneur et la liberte de la France. 18 Juin 1940 — 8 Mai 1945". Surrounding the shallow pool are a number of reclining nudes. It took me a while, but I finally recognised these statues from the inserts included with the LJDLP box set Exposition Internationale des Arts et Techniques dans la Vie Moderne. I took a number of photographs of my own as an homage. However, I was struck by the degradation of the site: graffiti, broken statues, litter, piles of human waste. It seems strange that such a cultural landmark would not be kept up, especially since it is in the vicinity of other well-trafficked and high-profile sites.












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