The Weight of One Self, Sculpture in the 5th arrondissement, Lyon, France
"Le Poids de Soi" is a sculpture located in the 5th arrondissement of Lyon, France, created by the artist duo Elmgreen & Dragset. It takes the form of a life-size human figure that appears to hang or float freely in space.
Elmgreen & Dragset, a Danish-Norwegian duo, rose to prominence in the 1990s by creating works that question public spaces and social norms. "Le Poids de Soi" is part of a broader series of public installations the duo has placed across European cities.
"Le Poids de Soi" depicts a human figure suspended from a hook, which often prompts passersby to stop and look twice. The duo Elmgreen & Dragset is known for placing figures in situations that feel both ordinary and unsettling at the same time.
The sculpture sits outdoors in Lyon's 5th arrondissement, a hilly neighborhood with narrow streets that is easy to explore on foot. It can be visited at any time and fits naturally into a walk through the surrounding area.
The title "Le Poids de Soi" translates to "the weight of the self," referring to the feeling of carrying one's own body and identity. This idea of an inner weight that one bears is a recurring theme across the work of Elmgreen & Dragset.
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