Paris Tips: King Kong and the Bunnies on Parade
By Theadora Brack
It’s prime time for a bunny pageant in Paris, so I rummaged through my files and found a few photographs from the fantastical 2009 Cracking Art Group’s Bunny exposition at Printemps.
Monster Mash
Tip! Often the grand magasins like Printemps, Galeries Lafayette and Bon Marché coordinate free art exhibits. Recently King Kong held court outside of Printemps. Created by Franco-American street pop artist Mr. Brainwash as a love note to New York City, the original Wild Thing was made of recycled tires and was two stories tall. Don’t hate him because he is beautiful!
Meanwhile, over at Bon Marché, Dior was also given a splashy nod. Decked out in the designer’s signature white and grey, the exhibit was made up of iconic “New Look” ensembles, photographs, and multimedia projections on oversized accessories like chairs, mannequins and hat boxes. It was a knockout!
Without further adieu, strike up the band. Hip hop, the hippie, the hippie, to the hip, hip hop!
This is the second blog I’ve read today where huge bunnies have sent a shudder down my spine. Massive rabbits are just really uncanny.
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Awesome photos btw.
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Thanks, Rob!! I agree! Massive bunnies fall on the creepy side of the fence. The attack of the 50-foot Rabbit? Run for cover! Theadora
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i love the giant bunnies 🙂 its awesome that you had them cause all we had in london for easter was the giant eggs. although there were loads of them i would rather have had these rabbits 🙂
thankyou for sharing 🙂 keep smiling
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Eggs?! One artist? Multiple artists? Thanks for the tip! I’m off to the land of Google now! Theadora
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Forget the bunnies – I love King Kong! 🙂
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I’m with you!! Kong is a stunner. For the love of recycling, he’s also green. Jolly Green Giant? Ho, ho, ho! Theadora
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You’ve done the Easter Bunny proud!
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Merci!! They’re irresistible! I shot for hours and hours. I even made a few return trips! OH, sigh. Theadora
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I know what that’s like – though I seldom have the time or patience. But great when you take the time, huh!
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The expression on the face of the woman in the blue coat underneath the gorilla is brilliant! Great shots.
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Thanks, Gordon!! I also love the woman in the light blue coat. Funny expression! “Keep moving, keep moving!” she said to me as I was attempting to photograph King Kong in his glory. I also like her jaunty hat! Theadora
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Belated Happy Easter, too!
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beautiful pictures and funny presentation!
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Thank you!! I’m a huge fan of both Mr. Imagination and the Cracking Art Group. With such bold and beautiful works, it was easy, breezy shoot! Theadora
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The lady in front of the Printemps’ big ape is rather sweet! Lovely 😀
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Oh, yes! I agree! I also love the lady in the blue coat. Good-looking coat and hat, to boot. “Keep moving, keep moving!” she said to me as I photographed King Kong! Theadora
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Love the pink bunnies!
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Merci! The Cracking Art Group also dressed the bunnies in bright yellow and green. Oh, la la! Theadora
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Merci beaucoup, Theodora…for giving me my first laugh of the day! The bunnies have me smiling still!
It looked as if it was a ‘fun’ exhibit, and your photos emphasize that.
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AH, thanks!! During the bunny invasion at Printemps, I made multiple trips to Boulevard Haussmann! Theadora
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Gee thanks, now I’ll be having nightmares about big rubber rabbits. Those were some humungous hares! Sort of a gerbil’s-eye-view thing you’ve got going on. Funny!
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Thanks, Martino! Yes, watch out for the humungous hares! According to rumor, they walk (scurry) the cobblestoned streets at night. And lock the door. Goodness. Gracious. Theadora
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they look if they weigh tons of chocolate.
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If only!! Drool . .T.
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Oswald has fallen in love with the pink bunny! I’ve tried to dissuade him saying she is much to pink for him, and much to large. But you know Oswald. He thinks magic can solve anything. He also thought King Kong was magnificent. Virginia
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Oh, la la! I’m with Oswald. Magic can solve anything!! Theadora (Flash back! My grandmother was a big fan of pink light bulbs. It was one of her beauty secrets. I wonder if they’re still available in grocery stores?!)
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Yes you can still buy pink light bulbs. I buy them by the dozen. It’s either pink light bulbs or candle light for me.
By the by is that Theadora putting to the magnificent gorilla???
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Thanks for the tip!! T.
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Delightful photos! And so unexpected in Paris —
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Merci! It was love at first sight! Theadora (I think a few of the bunnies now live in a little gallery, located in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. I’ll do a little research!)
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LOL! I have really learnt a lot on your blog! Marvelous! Ann
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Merci, Ann! I feel the same way about your site!! The planet is lucky to have you. Thank you!! Theadora
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Love the surprising vibrant pink against all the glam that is Paris (and I like bunnies in all shapes, colors and sizes :). Beautiful pics.
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Thanks, Brigitte! I fell hard for them. And yes, their colors really pop. The Cracking Group also created them in bright green and yellow. Paris (dressed in shades of pale) was the perfect background! Theadora
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Oh, that Mr. Brainwash! Did you see Exit Through the Gift Shop?
Thanks for the post!
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What a great film! A gem! Jef Aérosol is another favorite. His “Shhhh!” is amazing!! Have you seen it? Located behind the Stravinsky fountain at the Pompidou Centre in June 2011, it’s definitely worth a peek! Theadora
Here’s a pic: https://peopleplacesandbling.com/?s=pompidou+centre
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Wow, that is awesome! Not that I need another reason to return to Paris 🙂
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Giant bunnies on parade in Paris? I had no idea! The bunnies are a bit scarier than King Kong for some reason. Love the pictures – especially the one with the woman in the blue coat. It just seems like such a great reaction to King Kong.
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Sheila, I agree. They looked very hungry as they patiently waited for dusk. Epic scary. Enjoy the weekend! Theadora
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No way!! You guys have Bunnies on Parade in Paris?!
I wanna go to Paris now.
I have seen Elephant Parade, Cow Parade, Pig Parade and Lion Parade in England.
But no bunnies. 😉
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Elephants on parade?! Off to Googleland. . . Theadora
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I’m not over keen on king kong but the bunnies rock 🙂 🙂 🙂
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Hi Gilly! Banksy’s “Exit Through the Gift Shop” film is worth a viewing or three. Have you seen it?! Theadora
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They are cute and intimidating. The duality of bunnies! Thanks for sharing these city art projects, they are always…interesting 😉
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Thanks!! Ah, I’m a big believer in city street art. I enjoy spreading the word! Theadora (I used to work at the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore. I miss the joint.)
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Love the bunnies! Especially the upside down one!
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Thanks, Laura! Yes, the super model bunnies starred in Marc By Marc Jacobs “Country Romance” interior and exterior vitrines. And they did a fabulous job, I think! Theadora
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How I would have loved to see this!! As a huge kidrobot, Amanda Visell, and Banksy fan that I am, this post hit home!! You’re blog is absolutely fantastic and I now really want to travel to Paris one day as I’ve never been. I think I will have to make it a People, Places and Bling trip and map out my trip according to your blog posts. 🙂
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Dear Curly Girl, Thank you for your kind words!! Yes, do plan a trip to Paris. Feel free to ask questions! Theadora (By the way, I really appreciate your coupon posts on your “Curly Girl Savings” site. Great Nancy Drew detective work! Being frugalicious just got easier, thanks to you.)
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Wonderful post
Thanks for sharing!
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