Chez Nous (our home)
This public scupture was on view from March 12 to June 1, 2020
Artist: CARMEN MARISCAL
Place du Palais Royal, 75001 Paris, France
A public sculpture at the Place du Palais Royal in Paris, Chez Nous depicted a house without windows and doors built from the recovered padlocks and grids from the Parisian bridge the Pont de l'Archevêché.
Carmen Mariscal, Chez Nous, 2020. Steel, padlocks (different metals) 4.8 tonnes. 289 x 196 x 264 cm.
The public sculpture Chez Nous was on view from March 12 to June 1, 2020 at the Place du Palais-Royal, Paris, France. You can watch the video below to learn more about it.
Chez Nous was an archetypal space that invited passers-by to reflect on the essence of love and the symbol that lovers had chosen to represent it: a padlock.
This sculpture was designed as a “prison house” and announced the symbolic materialization of domestic traps. The artist raised the following questions: Is love a link or a chain? Is the house, a refuge or a prison?
This sculpture was made possible thanks to the support of the Mairie de Paris, the Mairie du 1er arrondissement, Paris, The Mexican Cultural Institute, Paris and the generosity of private patrons and donors. It was curated by Lassla Esquivel Periferia Projects and produced by Agence Eva Albarran, Paris.
During the time when Chez Nous was on view a platform was created to support our partner associations Espacio de Mujeres (Mexico) and Association Aurore (France) that provide a safe shelter to women and children victims of violence in their homes (and beyond), we have continued with this specially since the rise of violence during the confinement period due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. Your donations are appreciated. Click here if you wish to donate
Carmen Mariscal, Chez Nous, 2020. Steel, padlocks (different metals) 4.8 tonnes. 289 x 196 x 264 cm.
Get the Latest News and Updates on the Chez Nous Project and other works by Carmen Mariscal
A 21st Century phenomenon, the padlocks were left on bridges by couples who were symbolically locking their love. Historic bridges in Paris began to deteriorate under the weight of the padlocks, this practice became dangerous to the passers-by, the Mairie de Paris removed them in 2015.
I documented their removal and decided to create a project using the recovered padlocks to build a sculpture in the form of a house. I questioned the very logic of using padlocks to symbolise love, these objects can represent security for some but they are symbols of confinement and stagnation.
Events associated with Chez Nous some have been POSTPONED until further notice do to Covid-19. Please subscribe using the form on my Contact page to stay updated.
Vidéo-installation Le cimetière de l’amour (The Cemetery of Love)
This piece will be shown at the group exhibition EL CASTILLO DE LAS JUNGLAS IMPOSIBLES (THE CASTLE OF THE IMPOSSIBLE JUNGLES) Curated by Valentina Locatelli and Hans-Michael Herzog
Château de Serrigny, Ladoix-Serrigny, Bourgogne
Opening: August 28, 29 & 30, exhibition until 4 October 2020
It will also be presented in Paris, date and venue to be confimed, probably Spring 2021
PANEL DISCUSSION AT THE MEXICAN CULTURAL CENTER, PARIS 119 rue Vieille du Temple, Paris 75003
Art and Gender Violence at Home and Beyond
Date to be confimed, probably Spring 2021