The Picasso and Chagall are moving. Center Pompidou closes, a conversion awaits him
Visitors from all over the world came to the Paris Center Pompidou at the weekend to take advantage of the last opportunity to enjoy the largest European temple of modern and contemporary art before its gates closed for a five -year reconstruction. The Chagall, Giacometti and the innumerable other treasures are moved to other places in Paris and to museums in other parts of France and around the world, writes The Guardian.
The reconstruction of a nearly fifty -year -old building, designed by architects Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers in the center of Paris, will cost an estimated EUR 262 million (CZK 6.3 billion) and will require closure of the entire center, including its huge library and music research department.
The controversial building known for its facade decorated with colored pipes and ventilation shafts leading from the outside will undergo a complete reconstruction that will concern everything from technologies and accessibility to energy efficiency. The most important task is to remove asbestos, which is located everywhere, from ceilings to pipes.
After completion, the cultural colossus will be named after the French conservative president from 1969–74 Georges Pompidou, reopened with new exhibition spaces. According to the bosses of the museum, they will offer a multidisciplinary perspective, new premises for children and youth and extended library.
« Those who have not managed to visit will have many other opportunities to see the work in the future, » said Laurent Le Bon, art historian and museum manager. He described the renovation as an unprecedented opportunity to rediscover the discovery of the center. « We will use the time for the reconstruction we have at our disposal, » the director added.
I want to see them for the last time
On the last open weekend of the center was free admission, and both French visitors and foreign guests could use the live atmosphere of the museum thanks to many workshops, artistic performances and DJ sets. Eleven -year -old Frenchman Alyssa came to visit with her 62 -year -old grandfather. « I want to see the abstract paintings of Piet Mondrian with my own eyes, which showed us at school, » she said.
Twenty -five -year -old Brazilian Paul Goulrtová confided in journalists that she was not so much a fan of works of art, but rather a wonderful view of the Paris panorama from the upper floors of the building. Her Portuguese friend added that he is a regular visitor to the museum and that she wants to see the works of art for the last time. « I want to enjoy it as much as they don't, » he added.
The Paris Center Pompidou attracted more than 3 million visitors last year. It is one of the most popular museums in the world, in Paris it ranks in Louvre (8 million) and Musée d'Orsay (3.7 million).
The closure of the museum comes only a few weeks after the extensive renovation work was also announced by the Louvre Paris. The planned reconstruction, however, has become the target of sharp criticism, as the museum is constantly crowded and the masses of tourists are unmanageable.
Within this project, which is estimated at 700 to 800 million euros and which includes the creation of a new, more accessible entrance and the location of Mona Lisa in a separate room with its own entry, the museum will not be closed. However, some of the Louvre rooms will be temporarily out of service. The reconstruction should end in 2031, The Guardian concluded.
