Paris Tips: King Kong and the Bunnies on Parade

Bunnies by the Cracking Art Group at Printemps (2009) Photos by Theadora Brack

King Kong by Mr. Brainwash at the top of Printemps (2010)

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!

Tags: Art, Bunnies, Fashion, France, King Kong, Mr. Brainwash, Paris, Street Art, The Cracking Art Group, Theadora Brack

51 thoughts on “Paris Tips: King Kong and the Bunnies on Parade”

robpacker on 09/04/2012 at at said:

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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- robpacker on 09/04/2012 at at said:
  
  Awesome photos btw.
  
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- Theadora Brack on 10/04/2012 at at said:
  
  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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emmahevezi on 09/04/2012 at at said:

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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- Theadora Brack on 10/04/2012 at at said:
  
  Eggs?! One artist? Multiple artists? Thanks for the tip! I’m off to the land of Google now! Theadora
  
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This Sydney Life on 09/04/2012 at at said:

Forget the bunnies – I love King Kong! 🙂

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- Theadora Brack on 10/04/2012 at at said:
  
  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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mareelouise on 10/04/2012 at at said:

You’ve done the Easter Bunny proud!

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- Theadora Brack on 10/04/2012 at at said:
  
  Merci!! They’re irresistible! I shot for hours and hours. I even made a few return trips! OH, sigh. Theadora
  
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  - mareelouise on 11/04/2012 at at said:
    
    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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gordonmichaelsutton on 10/04/2012 at at said:

The expression on the face of the woman in the blue coat underneath the gorilla is brilliant! Great shots.

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- Theadora Brack on 10/04/2012 at at said:
  
  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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gordonmichaelsutton on 10/04/2012 at at said:

Belated Happy Easter, too!

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LeBlogDuSpectateurSentimentale on 10/04/2012 at at said:

beautiful pictures and funny presentation!

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- Theadora Brack on 10/04/2012 at at said:
  
  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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Sisyphus47 on 10/04/2012 at at said:

The lady in front of the Printemps’ big ape is rather sweet! Lovely 😀

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- Theadora Brack on 10/04/2012 at at said:
  
  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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maireadhennessy on 10/04/2012 at at said:

Love the pink bunnies!

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- Theadora Brack on 10/04/2012 at at said:
  
  Merci! The Cracking Art Group also dressed the bunnies in bright yellow and green. Oh, la la! Theadora
  
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anotherthousandwords on 10/04/2012 at at said:

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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- Theadora Brack on 10/04/2012 at at said:
  
  AH, thanks!! During the bunny invasion at Printemps, I made multiple trips to Boulevard Haussmann! Theadora
  
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Martino on 10/04/2012 at at said:

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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- Theadora Brack on 11/04/2012 at at said:
  
  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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cooleur on 10/04/2012 at at said:

they look if they weigh tons of chocolate.

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- Theadora Brack on 10/04/2012 at at said:
  
  If only!! Drool . .T.
  
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belocchio on 10/04/2012 at at said:

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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- Theadora Brack on 11/04/2012 at at said:
  
  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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  - belocchio on 11/04/2012 at at said:
    
    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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  - Theadora Brack on 14/04/2012 at at said:
    
    Thanks for the tip!! T.
    
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Touch2Touch on 10/04/2012 at at said:

Delightful photos! And so unexpected in Paris —

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- Theadora Brack on 11/04/2012 at at said:
  
  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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narhvalur on 11/04/2012 at at said:

LOL! I have really learnt a lot on your blog! Marvelous! Ann

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- Theadora Brack on 11/04/2012 at at said:
  
  Merci, Ann! I feel the same way about your site!! The planet is lucky to have you. Thank you!! Theadora
  
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Brigitte on 11/04/2012 at at said:

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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- Theadora Brack on 11/04/2012 at at said:
  
  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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Sarahlynn Pablo on 11/04/2012 at at said:

Oh, that Mr. Brainwash! Did you see Exit Through the Gift Shop?

Thanks for the post!

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- Theadora Brack on 11/04/2012 at at said:
  
  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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  - Sarahlynn Pablo on 12/04/2012 at at said:
    
    Wow, that is awesome! Not that I need another reason to return to Paris 🙂
    
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Sheila Hurst on 12/04/2012 at at said:

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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- Theadora Brack on 14/04/2012 at at said:
  
  Sheila, I agree. They looked very hungry as they patiently waited for dusk. Epic scary. Enjoy the weekend! Theadora
  
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London Caller on 12/04/2012 at at said:

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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- Theadora Brack on 14/04/2012 at at said:
  
  Elephants on parade?! Off to Googleland. . . Theadora
  
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Gilly Gee on 12/04/2012 at at said:

I’m not over keen on king kong but the bunnies rock 🙂 🙂 🙂

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- Theadora Brack on 14/04/2012 at at said:
  
  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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braintomahawk on 13/04/2012 at at said:

They are cute and intimidating. The duality of bunnies! Thanks for sharing these city art projects, they are always…interesting 😉

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- Theadora Brack on 14/04/2012 at at said:
  
  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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Laura Leigh Goyer on 16/04/2012 at at said:

Love the bunnies! Especially the upside down one!

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- Theadora Brack on 17/04/2012 at at said:
  
  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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curlygirlsavings on 17/04/2012 at at said:

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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- Theadora Brack on 18/04/2012 at at said:
  
  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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jennysserendipity on 21/04/2012 at at said:

Wonderful post
Thanks for sharing!

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