In Chicago,  there is ‘the Bean’, public art sculpture from Anish Kapoor that became one of the most popular attraction of the city.

In Paris, there was Leviathan, Kapoor’s temporary exhibit at Grand Palais. Kapoor said he wanted us to contemplate while inside and outside the violet rubber sculpture. So, I did listen to him.

The rubber sculpture was assembled in Italy, then transported to Paris and it took 2 hours to inflate the balloons from inside the Grand Palais. Leviathan occupies 45% of the total space of the Grand Palais and fills the nave of its three arms (see map below)

The inside and outside of Leviathan are two completly different realities.  First off when you get inside, it is hot as hell. it feels sticky and warm, a womb-like experience. It was dark because a big cloud was blocking sunlight. But all of a sudden, the natural  daylight came back and the reflection of Grand Palais ceiling light-filled the inside. I ticked. I stayed inside the nave, it felt magical, relaxing and hot, but this time the warmth was completely bearable…I had found my object of contemplation, a reason to stay inside a little longer. Thank you, Mister Kapoor.