A moderately impractical art collection: #4
I’m not sure that this one counts either because I don’t actually know where it is, yes I do, it’s at Galerie Jérôme de Noirmont, Paris which is in Paris, and I’ve never heard of it. But it’s quite famous etc. I looked it up on the internet.
It’s called La Madonne au coeur blessé and is by Pierre et Gilles and I first saw it in London back in the 90s - It only cost about 30k and I came sooooo close to buying it, but I was living in the back of a transit van at the time so was a bit strapped for cash etc.
The next time I saw it it was blown up 100 times the size and plastered all over the sides of double decker buses advertising Harvey Nicks (where I go sometimes. My mate Anne Marie used to work there and sometimes I go and hang out at the bar upstairs which is as creepy as fuck because everyone there is a prostitute in some way or other). Anyway, they’d strategically arranged it so a large round bolt thing was right where her nose was which kindof messed with it.
The Harvey Nicks window displays are quite often works of art in their own right - or they used to be when I was there last.
This little pic doesn’t really do it justice - it’s quite big and absolutely beautiful - and not to be confused with the other Madonna who looks like she smells etc. If I knew where it was I’ go back and see it again and again etc - but I don’t know where it is… I don’t always trust the internet.
I expect I’d go find it if went to Paris etc. I could ask the blokes in that gallerie. If they’d talk to me. They might know.
Hi Nick - love the blog! With regards to your comment on twitter re: our dinner party - no of course you didn’t annoy or offend us - we had a great night - really enjoyed your company and hope you’ll come and hang out with us again when you get back to li’l old Wanganui. -sheila
Comment by Sheila — May 22, 2008 @ 7:36 am
Hi - I absolutely love this image too! In fact I am going to Paris sometime this month & am planning on going to see it & trying to get my mitts on a print! It’s utterly ravishing, isn’t it, in a sacreligious way (apparently that lady was a Latino party girl friend of the artists, if I remember rightly?) which is why I adore Pierre & Gilles reworkings of Roman Catholic iconograpy - they see it for what it is - gorgeously flamboyant, kitsch &, of course, utterly bonkers!!!
Comment by Kay — July 4, 2009 @ 1:31 pm
Hiya, I love this image too & I am planning on going to see it when I’m next in Paris some time this month. Utterly ravishing in a vaguely sacreligious way - wasn’t the beautiful lady posing as the Madone Au Coeur Blesse a latino party-girl pal of the artists? - very mischievous!). That’s why I admire Pierre et Gilles reworkings of Roman Catholic iconography - they see it for what it is - gorgeously flamboyant, kitsch &, of course, completely bonkers!!!
Comment by kim — July 4, 2009 @ 1:43 pm
hm. hope to see same more info
Comment by Iowa-Insurance-903 — March 30, 2010 @ 9:13 pm