Have you ever heard of a statue that tells a story? Look closer at these statues in front of you, each one is an “Enfant du Monde”, a Child of the World, as the artist, Rachid Khimoune, called them. These 21 bronze sculptures stand proudly in the Parc de Bercy, a little corner of Paris that feels like a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Each sculpture brings a different child of this world to life, embodying the cultures of their home country. The artist collected materials such as manhole covers and paving stones from every country he visited to bring to life these children, giving them an authentic feel of the streetscapes from where they come. So take a good look, each child wears the traces of their place in the world, and every country’s uniqueness is reflected in the textures and materials of these statues. They are made from the same material, yet they are as different as the people they represent. That is how Rachid Khimoune wanted to tell a story, not just about the different cultures of the world, but also about the unique beauty that exists in each one.
Église Notre-Dame de l’Air
Beneath what appears to be a simple stone and wood structure lies a history interwoven with faith aviation and community.