Eccentric Concentric Circles

From the Barbicane--just random stripes

About a month ago, strange yellow markings appeared on the walls and towers of the Cite, causing lots of buzzing conversations and speculation about what it could possibly be.  When the story came to light, the public outcry could be heard throughout the Aude, and probably even all the way to Paris.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of La Cite's listing as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  To celebrate, the French Department of Historical Monuments, which is the administrative body for the fortress, commissioned an art project for the landmark.  They chose a Swiss artist who specializes in large public space installations.

Brightest of yellows

His choice was to drape the walls and towers in bright yellow concentric circles--sort of like a bull's eye, or the wifi symbol.  The center of the circles, the target, is the Aude gate.  I think of this gate as a "local, back door entrance."  The main entrance, the Narbonne Gate is where all the tourist buses arrive and disgorge their passengers.  The Aude gate requires a climb from the Barbicane district on the south side of the Aude River.  It is kind of a shortcut for those living in the Bastide.  

Getting closer

Many people are spitting mad about this.  Their argument is that they are getting visitors who will not get to see La Cite in her pristine (ersatz Middle Ages) state.  My feeling up until yesterday had been mildly favorable, because I think the point of art is to make people think and have conversations and the installation has certainly accomplished  THAT.  

Almost there

To those people who are crying historical purity, I might point out that almost nothing about those walls is historically accurate or pure.  The stones have been moved and stolen and re-purposed countless times.  And here's a thought--human heads stuck on pikes would be historically accurate.  Does anyone want to go that far?
  

Bull's Eye

Having seen it as it was intended to be seen, I am now WILDLY in favor of it.  I found myself smiling whenever I looked up at all that bright yellow as I climbed up the steep incline to the Aude Gate.  By the time I reached the top, I was grinning like a Cheshire cat.  I absolutely love this thing.  I am so glad I got to see it, and judging from the tourists I overheard and talked to during my little outing, they feel the same way.  It comes down at the end of September.   Two ladies I talked to wished the artist had used alternating red and yellow circles--the colors of Occitan.

Into the Twilight Zone

My dear god-child Andrew's comment was, "It's really in your face."  And it is, but for me, it's a good thing.    Entering the Cite through the center of all those circles feels like entering a rabbit hole or the Twilight Zone, and in a way, the Cite is exactly that. 

Plasticized tape--not damaging to the stones and removable

I will draft a letter this week to the authority that commissioned this, to let them know that there is a lone voice who loves what their choice artist did.  After all the complaining, it might be nice to have on lonely voice in support.