constantinople

suppose for a moment that you were not totally enamoured with the work of constantin brancusi . a very strange thought indeed. a precursor to martin puryear, whose work is currently on exhibit at moma, mr. brancusi makes a convincing case for simplicity of form and a boldness of expression.

besides this, his prolific nature, released in his paris studio, left the planet with a profusion of great works, in my humble estimation. luckily for us, many of the maquettes for the pieces on view at world class institutions can be found at their final resting place, the atelier brancusi at the centre pompidou.

the plan is ingenious. encroach upon the near perfect plaza fronting this venerable institution. the sloping cobblestones draw one into the main building, and just off to the side lies a the aptly formed pavilion which wraps the work of this fantastic artist. the building, designed by renzo piano, is clad in stone, and literally leaves a strolling corridor around the glass enclosed studio rooms of brancusi, who bequeathed these works to the french capital upon his death.

it is both inspiring and fascinating to see the work in situ, along with the tools employed in the creation of the pieces.

i once was asked, by suzanne stephens (then home editor for the new york times) if i had been inspired by brancusi, sensing that there was something in my own designs which seemed to draw upon his attitudes - a resounding and delighted 'yes' was my most grateful reply!!!

a first rate exhibit space which should be at the top of the list of any visit to paris.