"Babylon" at the Louvre

Sarah-Neel Smith writes for I V Y paris

"Babylon," now on display at the Louvre, is the type of exhibition this powerful museum should put on all the time. With "Babylon" the venerable French institution takes full advantage of its museum world connections to bring together a blockbuster collection of objects.

Many are separate pieces of the same object which have never before been united (like the vibrant lion tiles of the famous Ishtar Gate). Others have never been displayed outside of private collections. And others -- like the famous stele with the code of Hammurabi, a collection of Arabic and Western texts from the Bibliothèque Nationale, or clips from Fritz Lang's Metropolis -- are simply stunning in their own right, not to be missed.

It sounds a bit clichéd to suggest that "Babylon" has "something for everyone," but I witnessed even the most reluctant adolescent attendees succumb to Babylon's fascination at one point or another.

The first portion of the show, which presents archaeological evidence about the Mesopotamian city gathered by French, German and British archaeologists in the 19th century, will warm the hearts of archaeological enthusiasts and cuneiform scholars. (Unfortunately they are displayed in 19th century fashion as well, with dry, difficult-to-read listings and number labels on dusty-looking shelves behind glass.)

Along with the famous stele, gorgeous metal and gold animal sculptures, and stone goddess reliefs, this portion contains a large number of cuneiform tablets on topics ranging from architecture to astrology. (It's no accident that the main curator from the Department of Oriental Antiquities is herself an epigrapher; this is clearly a labor of love.)

The following portions of the exhibition advance chronologically and trace changing conceptions of the legend of Babylon, through fabulous hand-written Talmud texts, 15th and 16th century illuminated Bibles, gory Dürer engravings, and unsettling Blake illustrations. We watch as it evolves from an ideal city (host to one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world) to the Biblical city of sin, whose residents were punished for building it to further their own glory.

The exhibition culminates with a series of brilliantly-colored set and costume designs for 19th-century opera sets, 20th century "Babylonian" imagery in Fritz Lang's "Metropolis," and the designs of American architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

With a collection of objects as diverse as the languages created at the legendary fall of the tower of Babel, "Babylon" shows why this city has consistently fascinated us through the ages -- and stimulates our own fascination, all over again.

Comments

[suzanne]

is there anything about rastafarians in this expo?

[simon]

I think, (for me), the louvre show cases displays differently to that of, say, the British Museum. Other museums seem to just "plonk" stuff in a room.

The Lourve creates a story and it is artisically done so. I too have witnessed children "in awe" at the displays..

[Andy]

Perhaps you should have a look at this.
Kind regards
Andy

[andy]

www.lyre-of-ur.com

[Dr.Kwame Opoku]

But do you realize that all these objects are stolen objects from the Middle East? When will they be returned to their countries of origin? Or do you think Europeans have the right to collect/steal the cultural objects of others? Kwame Opoku.

[simon]

Kwame,

It's easy to be an expert in retrospect. Frankly I feel (rightly or wrongly), that if these were left, they would have been lost forever, to the elements, private collectors and general vandalisim/decay.

At least, In the major museums they are safe, preserved and available for all to see. Dare I say, in a better environment than where they come from at the time.( No disrespect to the third world or how they choose they live)

I know we can argue "vandalisism" from the west etc... but I feel that the Louvre and British museum belong to the world, not just the country they are in...

So, given a choice of the Louvre or some third world place... I will take the trip to the Louvre everytime.

:o)

[octabot]

This article is so poignant! I did happen to see the show in May of 08 and it definately was the breathtaking part of the louvre. Not to take anything away from the rest of the louvre, but Damn! These amazing works of glazed brick of winged lions, bulls, and dragons were some of the finest in existing works ever seen, much less that I've ever seen. Not to mention the courtyard of Assyrian and Sumerian God Sculptures,, sick!! I mainly agree with the reference to the the influences towards frank lloyd wright and fritz lang, especially if you can find a depiction of the goddess Ishtar, trippy resemblance to the robot! ohh, and these beautiful sculptures and artifacts should definately be in these museums. Have you seen Iraq lately?

[octabot]

This article is so poignant! I did happen to see the show in May of 08 and it definately was the breathtaking part of the louvre. Not to take anything away from the rest of the louvre, but Damn! These amazing works of glazed brick of winged lions, bulls, and dragons were some of the finest in existing works ever seen, much less that I've ever seen. Not to mention the courtyard of Assyrian and Sumerian God Sculptures,, sick!! I mainly agree with the reference to the the influences towards frank lloyd wright and fritz lang, especially if you can find a depiction of the goddess Ishtar, trippy resemblance to the robot! ohh, and these beautiful sculptures and artifacts should definately be in these museums. Have you seen Iraq lately?