Le Banc, 1993—1994

This work, which exists in three copies, was installed in 1994. It represents a man seated on a bench, reading a newspaper, in the company of his dog. On the newspaper is written a Greek poem entitled "O kosmos", painted by Marina Karella, a friend of Niki de Saint-Phalle. The man and his dog have been shaped in polyester and painted bright colours. Covered in mirror mosaics, Le Banc (The Bench) was created by Niki de Saint Phalle, with the collaboration of Pierre-Marie Lejeune. The entire work has simply been placed, rather than fixed. The figure and the bench were shaped together. Stolen when the site was not properly guarded, the dog is now secured to the bench via a threaded rod and nut.