Paris à la Geek visits the Musée des Arts et Métiers to see 30 years of work by Schuiten and Peeters
Miguel and I planned one museum trip so far in Paris. What do comic/bd/manga fans do first when in the city of love? We fly like bees straight for where the sweet, sweet nectar is. In this case, the Musée des Arts et Métiers where they’re hosting an exceptional exhibition in collaboration with François Schuiten (artist) and Benoît Peeters (writer), famous for their breathtaking bandes dessinée Les Cités Obscures and Revoir Paris. It’s an innovative display of their 30 year collaboration that shows us all how it’s done. This is where poetic imagination and technical precision come to life.
Machines à Dessiner
The Machines Dessiner exhibit runs from October 25, 2016 to February 26, 2017. This is the place to be if you want to be inspired! As you walk around, you feel like you’ve entered the secret lair of a genius artist-inventor. Your eyes will be dazzled by the superb illustrations, exotic machines and then the videos. Watch in amazement as Schuiten effortlessly demonstrates how few lines in the hands of a master quickly become a drop dead work of art. You also see the chemistry between Schuiten and Peeters as they collaborate to create stunning new works.
Steampunk Machines Electrify Your Imagination at the Musée des Arts et Métiers
And then there are the ingenious machines! It’s not often you get to see a Da Vinci-Verne worthy illustration and then turn your head to see the actual machine sitting there on display or hanging from the ceiling. It leaves a incredibly strong impression. From an artist’s rendition to an actual whimsical creation, right before your eyes. This parallel world of imagination and steampunk contraptions seamlessly join 30 years of work by Schuiten and Peeters and creates a phenomenal vibe that shakes you to by the shoulders and electrifies your imagination.
Now It’s Your Turn. Draw!
Just when you’re filled with the need for speed – or at least the need to draw something – the museum does the most logical thing. As we made our way to the final room of the exhibit, we were happily surprised to find a room with gadgets, machines contraptions, drawing desks, free paper and pencils! I love this idea. To read more, click here.
Steampunk Metro Station? Oui!
In case that’s not enough, Schuiten shows how to put the imagination to practical use. He designed a steampunk style metro station in Paris! The Arts et Métiers metro stop is across the street from the Museum of the same name. Now if they could only dieselpunk the actual train. Hmmm.
Do yourself a favour and Google Schuiten and Peeters to find out more. They are exceptional. But just in case, I added a few links at the end of this post.
And now, enough with the yakety yak. Here are some photos.
[gm album=25]
Related Posts:
• Miguel Guerra Sketches Steampunk at the Musée des Arts et Métiers
• Jules Verne Inspired Steampunk Metro Station
Links:
Alta Plana: The impossible & infinite encyclopedia of the world created by Schuiten & Peeters
Arts et Métiers (Paris Métro)