The great arc
A striking meditation on inequality via the bold sculptures that sit amongst skyscrapers in Paris’s business district - by Aeon Video Watch on Aeon
Situated west of Paris, La Défense is frequently referred to as the most visually appealing business district in Europe. This bustling, luxurious neighborhood, home to approximately 70 significant pieces of art, also functions as an open-air gallery. In her film, <source>34f2371d-9ea</source>, French animator Camille Authouart guides viewers on a 'poetic and social journey' through La Défense, using her delicate pastel animations to transform the district into a surreal exploration of class and shared space.
Authouart draws a correlation between the public art of La Défense and an unhoused individual she observed sleeping beneath the film's titular arch, resting against Alexander Calder's steel sculpture Araignée Rouge. The artist notes how both figures had become unseen by rush hour commuters. By merging documentary, narrative, and poetic elements, Authouart's immersive piece offers a complex perspective on urban living.
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