In Nîmes, France, you can find a fun and funky little art museum. In that museum is this glorious pink velvet sofa, surrounded by larger, brighter, much fancier furniture in an exhibit devoted to modern design.
I don’t know if anyone has ever used the sofa—it was specifically created to be an exhibited artwork. But I do love how the museum staff make it clear that you and I shall not plant our butts on the velvet—they’ve laid two dried thistles strategically on the cushions of this and the other art furniture.
No signs with ugly slashes hang on these walls. No admonishments in four languages. French simplicity, elegance—and maybe a hint of a threat--rule the day with two symmetrically-placed thistles.
It’s that dark little twist that catches my eye—spines resting lightly on the faded pink velvet. I like a little shiver-shiver with my shiny-shiny.
What about you? Has anything recently stopped you in your tracks?