In Paris, there are several green spaces where Parisians can relax and enjoy nature at the same time. Of course, there's the Jardin du Luxembourg for history lovers, the Parc Monceau for romantics and the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont for a bit of height.
Further south is the Parc de Bercy. Located just behind theAccor Arena in Paris, Parc de Bercy offers local residents a beautiful 14-hectare green space. Created in 1993, the site is made up of three gardens, offering regular visitors and the curious alike the chance to stroll between nature and culture.
If you've ever taken a stroll through the alleys of this Parisian park, then perhaps you've already come face to face with several large bronze sculptures? Exhibited on the Seine-side lawn, between the top of the steps and the Simone de Beauvoir footbridge, these bronze pieces are by Rachid Khimoune. Inaugurated in 2001, to mark our entry into the 21st century, these impressive sculptures take us on a fantastic world tour!
These children's statues, simply called " Les Enfants du Monde ", are inspired by the cultures of many countries around the world. They include Marie-Carmen from Spain, Enzo from Italy, Mohammed from Morocco, Felipe from Mexico, Jim from New York and Antonio from Brazil. In the end, these 21 individual sculptures give rise to a monumental installation, both original and playful.
Born in 1953 in Decazeville, Aveyron, Rachid Khimoune graduated from the École supérieure des Beaux-Arts de Paris in 1974. Initially fascinated by painting, he eventually turned to sculpture, winning a string of prizes and awards. In 1980, he was awarded the Prix de la Fondation de France. He was made Chevalier des Arts et Lettres in 2002 and Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur in 2007.
As the artist explains on his website, " Les Enfants du Monde " were created from casts of cobblestones, manhole covers and fractured bitumen scattered around the globe. "You'd think all the asphalt in the world looked the same, but from one city to the next, tree grates and manhole covers are distinctive signs, like a tattoo on your skin, revealing the identity of the city, or even your history," reads the plaque installed at the inauguration. In this way, each of these sculptures takes up elements and motifs taken from the urban space of the cities the artist has visited around the world, materializing a universal link between all these cultures.
