Jeff Koons at the Chateau de Versailles

I had the idea that seeing Jeff Koons at the Chateau de Versailles would be a fun thing to do w A, since it's hard to imagine art that's more accessible to an 8 year old than Koons (giant balloon sculptures and Disney characters). We didn't manage to get there in December before it was supposed to end, but it actually got extended and we booked tickets in the final days and went to see it Saturday night.

It's a shame to visit Versailles at night, because the best part of it is the gardens, and the magnificent over-the-top Gallerie des Glaces (Hall of Mirrors) is impressive during the day because it reflects the gardens over and over. It's also not so fun in the cold, since you don't feel like lingering in the garden if you do go out there (there was a Koons installation in the gardens that we froze to see, then were unimpressed by).

The Koons works were as expected - the NYTimes summed it nicely as an "American Invasion", but the contrast of modern and classic made it much more interesting (A described it as "Old and Original"). A enjoyed it (more than he would probably enjoy a classical art show). Still, hanging beach toys on fences or from the ceiling does not make things "art" to me, and I generally think he's trying too card to be clever (or commercial). As I've felt the last several times I've seen big names in contemporary art, I can wait a while before giving this genre another go...

A liked Puppy best of all, and I thought the Disney-esque flowers were clever in the overdone Versailles bedroom with the flowery wallpaper. The contrast of the lobster raft and the fuscia drawing room was original.