The impressive new exhibition space in the Louvre, which is the home of one of the most expansive collections of Islamic Art in Europe, has opened. The wonderful glittering contemporary design is the work of Milan based architect, Mario Bellini in collaboration with the French practice, Rudy Ricciotti.
The undulating gold canopy of the space, located in the neo-classical Visconti courtyard, has been compared to many things including a magic carpet and a scarf floating in the wind. It exhibits an amazing element of weightlessness and movement in spite of the fact that it weighs in excess of 120 tons! Supported by 8 pillars, it reaches a height of eight metres from the ground and is constructed of tubular steel frames, aluminium, 2.400 triangular glass panels and an outer screen of gold and silver mesh.
The second contemporary structure to grace the museum during the last 23 years, it is likely to create controversy as did the iconic pyramid, now a familiar feature of the venue. The additional exhibition space amounts to 30.000 sq.ft. over two levels and contains 60 crystal glass exhibit cases. The 10 year project cost $125M, funded in part by the oil rich Arab states and is intended to contribute to the Louvre’s mission to encourage the understanding of the West with the Islamic World.
