Paris :: Le Grand Monde d'Andy Warhol

There's currently only one place in Paris to see all of your favorite ladies, from Liza and Jackie O to Liz Taylor and even Meryl Streep. (And no, it's not the local drag review in the Marais.) All of these ladies have their portraits displayed at Le Grand Monde d'Andy Warhol, which runs through July 13th at the Grand Palais.

Two hundred and fifty of Warhol's creations fill the exhibit at the National Galleries of the Grand Palais. Portraits and paintings were brought-in from collections around the world, most notably from the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, as well as a few excellent private collections, to produce an unprecedented exhibition in this monumental hall.

The show starts with Warhol's more familiar and iconic works, including the Mona Lisa and Marilyn Monroe prints in audaciously vibrant colors. Visitors then continue on, discovering the artist's development towards commercial art and new experimental media like video. There's even a room dedicated to his brainchild magazine, Interview, with covers honoring cult celebrity figures like Madonna and John Travolta.

Who knew that some of his art probed deeper than soup cans and celebrities? It turns out that Warhol was commissioned by royalty, notably the ruling family of Iran (who'd a thought?), to do family portraits in his pop art style. His multiple images of Chinese ruler Mao Zedong- especially the one that occupies the entire wall- are impressive, if slightly unnerving. Images dealing with death and religion round out the end of the exhibit, revealing a more thoughtful side of Warhol; a side that wasn't just about money or fame.

Visitors exit through a hallway of pink cow heads on yellow paper with shiny silver pillow-shaped balloons overhead, a recreation of one of Warhol's gallery openings. It's at this point, after all of the eccentricity and vibrancy, that you'll sort of just get it. Andy was having fun, and it was infectious. The French might be walking around stiffly, calmly, but try your best not to laugh at least once while walking through the show - I dare you!

Le Grand Monde d'Andy Warhol is showing through July 13, 2009 at the Grand Palais, 3 avenue du G?n?ral Eisenhower, Paris 75008. The exhibit is open 10AM - 10PM daily, closed Tuesdays and closes at 8PM Thursdays.

Metro stop Champs-Elys?es Clemenceau (lines 1 and 13) or Franklin-D. Roosevelt (lines 1 and 9).

Price :: 11 euros, 8 euros reduced tariff (student, etc.)

Buy tickets in advanced to avoid hour-long waits, FNAC.com