Surveillance III, 2005-2007

Surveillance III, light box or print photo series (7 images)
Location: Palais d’Louvre, Paris, France

In this photography series the frenzy of tourism is documented in the Louvre where visitors battle their way to get a glimpse of La Jaconde, The Mona Lisa.  I never did get close to it on this particular trip but it was fun watching and trying to capture other people’s LCD screens on their cameras.  I was twice reprimanded by the security people for standing on a wall recession at the front to get a better view.   There is a quality in some of these images that echo some of the evocative gestures ad colours in the surrounding paintings, particularly the devotional expressions on the faces of the viewers. 
 

One of the most fascinating observations during this trip was the need for people (ourselves included) to document every single thing  - and if possible posing next to the object.  One of my favourite moments was watching people at the Musee d’Rodin posing in front of the “Gates of Hell”.  I could imagine the slide show narrative: “And here I am in front of The Gates of Hell”.  Incidentally, just after our visit, the Louvre implemented a new policy to disallow picture taking in the galleries since September 2005.  People will be forced to just look at the art.  How will this change the tourism experience when we have to just rely on our fragile memories?  Perhaps post-card and book sales will improve.  The gallery website states that the new regulations “have been put in place in order to ensure the comfort and tranquility of a visit to the Louvre. Specifically, photography and filming are now restricted in certain areas of the museum. “ 

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