26 February 2008

Expo Ecofuturiste: O ! Shilling - David Shilling


This fun installation uses one of the main fountains in the Casino Gardens. The artist, David Shilling, is an Englishman, living on le rocher of Monaco. He's worked in many mediums, in particular I remember him as a famous milliner in London. His mother, Gertrude Shilling, was a much-loved British institution, with the press naming her 'The Ascot Mascot' as she always appeared at the Ascot races wearing extraordinary hats designed by her son. One year David's design outgrew his father's long wheel base Rolls Royce, and so the hat had to follow in a van. If you follow the link above, you can see some of the creations David made for his mother.

There is a sign near the fountain, written by the artist: 'Celebrating what we take for granted everyday...like love, colours and particularly water.'

'Either we leave the world a little richer than when we arrive, or poorer. Understand that if we don't leave it richer, one day there will be no world left.' - David Shilling.

Tomorrow - a closer look at this installation.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I like your photography on this one but your story telling is quite nice too. A hat following in a van is hard for even me to imagine.

Jim Klenke said...

That looks like plastic dishes in the fountain, but it looks good. How funny.

Janet said...

Never seen a fountain decorated before, but it looks like party!

Small City Scenes said...

I always love a fountain. do people try to jump in? thanks for visiting my blog. You have beautiful photos. MB

Marie-Noyale said...

Fresh colors for a refreshing fountain.
I went to see the hats..because I love hats,I love the Originality ,next time I go to the Metropolitan I will look for it.

Unknown said...

Looks like a very fancy dishwasher. Is there one for clothes nearby?

Kate said...

Although it's not my favorite kind of art, I love the whimsy. The hat link is great; I particularly like the yellow hat.

Anonymous said...

The fountain is beautiful Jilly and the objets d'art colourful and interesting. I'm not really a fan of modern art though. After a hot summer and a drought, we are more water conscious than most. As my dead father said to me shortly before he died: "you can throw some (water) about (the garden) but don't waste it". Almost every day when I do the watering, I remember that and him I suppose. Not sure that's necessarily a good thing!

Olga said...

Wow! I love installations and sculpture exhibitions on the streets of Monaco!

Last time I was there in 2002, there was another exhibition of sculptures like that.

How many months will this exhibition last? Will these sculptures still be there in the summer?

Jilly said...

Olga, the exhibition finishes on March 7 - so unfortunately not to be seen this coming summer. However, there are always many many sculptures to be seen in Monaco so hopefully, if you are coming over, you'll find something to enjoy. Thanks for visiting.

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