The Grand Palais, the large monument along the Champs
Elysees, built to display various collections of French art, was the
perfect place to display and match the grandeur of Christian Dior’s Miss Dior
exhibit. As illustrated throughout the exhibit, Christian Dior’s goal in his
work was to “make women more beautiful and happier” (Christian Dior), the
exhibit is filled with feminine artifacts and designs that would make any woman
feel beautiful upon entering. The exhibition is filled with beauty and artistic
expression that was inspired by none other than the alluring and magical
perfume, Miss Dior.
Before
entering the exhibition, one is greeted with a larger than life portrait of
Christian Dior in a tailored white suit with a black and white handkerchief in
the left pocket. Upon viewing this monstrous portrait in an all-white room, visitors
are encouraged and inspired to read and become more informed on the artist
before entering the exhibition. After the brief yet informative biography of
Christian Dior, jmdjkone enters the exhibition and is immediately flooded with
beauty, femininity and the color: pink.
Because
Christian Dior was originally interested in art, a stairwell leads the
exhibition viewer to the top level of the giant room, displaying various
paintings and artists which inspired Dior. Teaming up with five other artists,
the exhibition notes that Christian Dior and these men opened up an art
gallery. Along with this, Christian Dior also owned his own art collection.
Walking up these stairs, viewers are greeted with various paintings and
sculptures which inspired Dior. The art ranges from kitschy sculptures, such as
a woman with a baguette on her head, to the highly influential Pablo Picasso
painting. The body of work displayed at the top of the stairs helps the
exhibition viewer gain information on the art Dior appreciated as well as what
inspired his work.
The
flow of the museum transfers from past to present when the exhibition visitor
is lead down the stairs to be magically engulfed in colorful modern art pieces
inspired by the Miss Dior Eau de Toilette. Most notable, Polly Apfelbaum’s Rainbow Nirvana Houndstooth, is an
installation which depicts hundreds of women from cultures across the world
dancing and being themselves in their element. To view this, the visitor enters
a dark room and is surrounded by a projection of these dancing and singing
women. The artist mixes tradition hand-weaving techniques with modern
technology to create a surreal and almost frightening depiction of women,
objects, and sound floating across a night sky.
Walking
across the first floor of the exhibition, one can see various other modern art
pieces brought to life by Miss Dior. One of the most eye-catching is an
enormous, illuminated pink bow made from carbon fiber and adorned with over
1,500 perfume bottles. Upon first glance, the viewer can only see a massive
illuminated bow. After reading the bow’s description and meaning, one would be
delighted to know that the Miss Dior bow and its use of everyday materials
conveys the essence of “childish innocence and passionate audacity” (Joana
Vasconcelos). Further down the exhibition, the viewer is entranced by a massive
five meter sculpture plays on the viewer’s olfactory senses and essentially,
provides a unique and psychedelic experience upon stepping inside.
One
of the more personal and easily understood modern art pieces is Karen
Kilimnik’s dramatic display of today’s consumer society. The Miss Dior perfume
bottle sits at the center of a lavish bed of flowers, pink clouds, and
chandeliers depicting the perfume’s romantic and feminine origins. Very
inspired by Marie Antoinette, it’s no wonder that Miss Dior has this lavish,
romantic and overdone connotation. This piece inspires the viewer to view Miss
Dior and its role in today’s modern consumer-oriented society. Along with these
previously mentioned, the entire first floor is engulfed in various artists’
interpretation of Miss Dior; its colors, purpose and message. Though many of
these installations and massive sculptures may appear daunting and frivolous,
one must read the descriptions and pamphlet to find the true meaning; this can
often be surprising and enlightening.
Amidst
the massive installations and sculptures lies two video installations: one,
showing Miss Diorn commercials on a loop and one displaying various historical
clips of Dior’s designs and inspirations. The video displaying Miss Dior’s
commercials is rather intriguing and captivating as the viewer is able to see
each model that has represented Dior throughout the years; the most recent
being Natalie Portman. These video installations tie the exhibition together
and make it relatable to modern day life in that they depict celebrities and
movie stars who viewers are familiar with.
Last
but not least, the absolute highlight of the exhibition is none other than the
collection of beautiful and perfectly feminine dresses created by artists who
were inspired by his lovely fragrance. Although each dress encompasses the
fragrance’s expression of love and femininity, the dress that stands out is
Lillian Bassman’s Miss Dior gown. Enveloped
in colorful flowers, this gown speaks the true meaning of the fragrance. As it
perfectly tailors to a woman’s hourglass figure, its small waste, large hips
and bust create what many would consider, the ideal womanly figure. Any woman
who wears this dress would immediately feel like a goddess, undeniably feminine
and beautiful.
The
Grand Palais’ Miss Dior exhibition is anything but ordinary. Its chaotic layout
is somewhat daunting and overwhelming upon entering yet gradually becomes
easier on the eyes after exploration. The classic Parisian theme of grandeur is
clearly displayed throughout the museum with a twist of pink and floral design.
Throughout the exhibition’s informative videos, influential artwork and modern
interpretations of Miss Dior, the viewer is able to grasp Christian Dior’s main
goal: to make every woman feel beautiful and happy.
-Avery