THE LOUVRE

When I visited the Louvre the first time, this is what it looked like:

The iconic glass pyramid was completely bare.

So I was intrigued to see this three-eyed infinity loop plastered across the Louvre the second time I visited.

I forgot to research about it until now.

Yahoo News explains and I quote, “PARIS (AP) — An Italian artist decorated the Louvre museum’s glass pyramid Wednesday for the first time in the iconic monument’s history, in a protest against capitalism. The artwork, a huge three-looped infinity sign made of mirrors, faces due west onto France’s business district, La Defense.

Michelangelo Pistoletto, one of the world’s leading conceptual artists, covered one panel of the pyramid with the reflective symbol that’s meant as a defiant political gesture: Politicians and society must look at follies of excess that led to the global financial crisis.

It had spectators gawping — some in awe, others in confusion.”

“Follies of excess.” I like this phrase.

In this day and age, we think we need a lot to survive. A lot of us live in so much excess. Even accessorizing has now become excessorizing!

I can’t explain how liberating it felt for me when I realized that one does not need a lot to survive. You don’t need to buy tops every week. A few good pieces will last you a long time. You don’t need watches in every color. Streamlining is key. You don’t need to shop everytime you travel. Spend more on experience.

There’s beauty in simplicity. There’s freedom in living with less.

Follies of excess. There’s really foolishness in thinking you need more when you can really get by with just enough.

Nothing wrong with desiring for bigger and brighter things. But never allow greed and selfishness be your motivation for acquiring something beyond your means.

Reflective,
d.