300 meter Rainbow Eiffel Tower Project, Paris 1987

Editor: This photograph documents Ay-O’s "300 meter Rainbow Eiffel Tower Project, Paris" from 1987. It captures the Eiffel Tower with a vibrant rainbow seemingly emanating from it, arching across the sky. It feels ephemeral and joyous, yet a bit surreal. How do you interpret this work? Curator: The work prompts me to consider the role of iconic structures in shaping collective identity. The Eiffel Tower, a symbol of French ingenuity and cultural heritage, is here reimagined. Ay-O, affiliated with Fluxus, uses the rainbow not merely as a visual spectacle, but as a symbol of inclusivity and utopian possibility, literally coloring the symbol of French identity. Considering the year it was created, 1987, what sociopolitical undercurrents might Ay-O have been engaging with? Editor: I hadn't thought of the political aspect. Perhaps it was a statement about cultural diversity or pushing against the rigid societal structures of the time? Curator: Precisely. It intersects art with social commentary. Ay-O invites us to reflect on how symbols, even monuments, can be catalysts for dialogue around identity, nationhood, and the power of color to disrupt established norms. What does ephemeral public art like this communicate that traditional monuments maybe cannot? Editor: That’s a really insightful question. Because it's temporary, it feels more playful and invites imagination, rather than demanding respect like traditional monuments often do. Curator: Exactly. And perhaps more crucially, it encourages conversation about what we want our public spaces, and our collective identities, to represent. This work layers social meaning onto existing historical meaning and public space. Editor: I never thought of the Eiffel Tower as a canvas for social commentary! Thank you for broadening my understanding. Curator: My pleasure. Thinking about art in this context reminds us that even the most recognizable landmarks are never fixed in meaning; their significance evolves through art and dialogue.